Woman sends comfort to troops

She compiles care packages for soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan
By Joe Menard

ROCHESTER — What started out as a simple Internet search for information on war veterans has evolved into a long-distance relationship of sorts between Terri Williams and soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The relationship is simple: Soldiers tell Williams what they need, and Williams gets it for them.

For nearly four years, Williams has been donating her time and energy to making sure American soldiers have some of the comforts of home while fighting overseas, packing goods such as snacks, music and movies, hygiene products and letters into care packages for the soldiers.

“We’ve done probably about 600” since Christmas 2001, said Williams, a family services coordinator at the Potere-Modetz Funeral Home in Rochester. “We’ve sent over a lot.”

Williams first got the idea while doing an Internet search on war veterans, a subject that she holds close to her heart…

Her father is a World War II Army veteran in infantry and heavy artillery divisions.

“I’m always messing around on the Internet looking at stuff about veterans. It’s always been a passion,” said Williams, 50.

Her search led her to an organization called AdoptaPlatoon, which organizes volunteers who send care packages to military chaplains, who then distribute goods to soldiers.

But as word of her care packages spread, local families with children serving in Iraq and Afghanistan began asking Williams to send packages directly to their children.

“What she does is pretty commendable. There aren’t that many people who would take the time to do what she does,” said Rick Zapella, whose son, also named Rick, is a lance corporal in the Marines serving in Iraq.

He said his son and the other soldiers appreciate the packages, especially the personal hygiene products.

“When the guys get mail or packages, it’s like a piece of home being sent to them,” he said. “What they get, they use.”

The soldiers are so grateful, Williams said, that they send her letters and pictures, and often stop by the funeral home to visit upon their return.

“Some of them get really personal and tell you all about themselves,” she said. “It’s interesting.”

She has received letters and pictures from at least 75 to 80 soldiers, and keeps them in a large binder.

Some soldiers have written to her numerous times.

“They’re always grateful,” she said.

Some of the more popular items are toothbrushes and baby wipes, she said.

“They use them to clean their weapons. Those are always good,” she said.

Female soldiers have different requests: chocolate and feminine hygiene products.

“Those are in high demand over there,” she said. She gathers all her goods through community donations. Local churches and schools also lend a hand, writing letters to the soldiers and donating items. Some people also give her money to help cover postage costs.

And though she’s already been doing it for close to three years, she has no plans to stop until the last soldier comes home.

“We’re going to send them until they’re all home, and it’s going to be a while,” she said. “It’s a big sacrifice. I’m so grateful they’re willing to do it. God bless them. I just want to give each and every one of them a hug.”