Berlin Rotary - Adopt A Platoon

Since 2005, the Berlin Rotary Club has been "adopting" service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The service members are sent care packages, cards and letters of encouragement. Since its inception, the club has adopted more than 200 service members from the Army, Marine Corps., Navy and Air Force. The service members have been New Jersey and all of the United States, including California and Hawaii.

When the program was initiated, the Club sent Mother's Day cards to a group of 25 males in the Army. Included with the cards were calling cards so that each soldier could call home on Mother's Day. A variety of mother's days cards were sent, including cards for their wives. Additionally, the soldiers each received a cookie basket with a variety of sweets, a new DVD and some comfort items.

Since then, the club has adopted a group of soldiers during varying times of the year. Typically, the club sends an individual package for each soldiers in the group. In 2009, however, the club adopted a group of 121 soldiers serving in Iraq. Bulk items were sent in lieu of individual care packages.

Care packages are made up of everyday snacks -- the simple items we at home can access easily and often take for granted. Because of the heat in that region of the world, chocolate items are sent only during December and January. During other times of the year, a variety of hard and gummy candy is sent. The club also sends a variety of cookies, salted snacks, granola bars, drink mixes, tuna kits, beef jerky, Slim Jims, crossword puzzles and calling cards. The Club also throws in "kid fun" like Yo-Yos, silly putty, Uno cards, etc.