October 25, 2006

Mejias Honors Plainview librarians for sending over 100 care packages to soldiers overseas

AnySoldier program reminds troops they have not been forgotten

Nassau County Legislator Dave Mejias (D-North Massapequa) today honored the staff of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library who has been sending care packages to U.S. troops abroad since August. 

According to Mejias, the idea came about when librarian Renee Zeichner was asked to donate books from the library to her husband’s company so that they could be sent overseas to our troops.  But Renee didn’t stop there. Renee, along with Chris Tooker, Sue Victor, library director Gretchen Browne and the staff of the Plainview-Old Bethpage library decided to do more.  Since they began this program in August, they have sent out 111 care packages to our troops overseas through the website AnySolider.com.

These care packages include non-perishable foods, male and feminine hygiene products, DVDs and CDs, magazines, newspapers, paperback books, puzzles, and board games.  Sadly, the cost of postage for these care packages is expensive and the librarians have been purchasing all of the supplies with their own money.  Renee and her fellow librarians went to the community for help, going door-to-door through the community, asking local business owners and residents for donations. 

“The time and dedication that the staff of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library has displayed for our troops has been extraordinary, and the response from the troops has been nothing but appreciative,” Mejias said.

 AnySoldier.com was started by Sgt. Brian Horn, an Army Infantry soldier with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.  When Brian was in the Kirkuk region of Iraq he had the idea to help care for his fellow soldiers.  He agreed to distribute packages that came to him with "Attn: Any Soldier" in the address to the soldiers who were not getting mail.

Legislator Mejias commended the staff of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library for their amazing work, and also asks that donations be made to pay for the postage to send these care packages as well as items to put in them.  Please send any donations to:AnySoldier.com Care Package Donations, c/o Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, 999 Old Country Road, Plainview, New York  11803.

For more infomation call Legislator Mejias' office at (516) 571-6214.