Desert Messenger

July 16, 2014 www.DesertMessenger.com 3 DUMP THE DRUGS in Quartzsite! Do you have expired or unused medications? Dispose safely at QUARTZSITE POLICE DEPT. Mon - Fri. 8am-5pm Sponsored by QSAPC Quartzsite Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition 1240 W. MAIN ST. Located Directly across from McDonald‛s in Quartzsite! Open DAILY 10am-4:30pm OPEN YEAR ROUND! Pays top dollar for: Scrap Gold, Gold Coins, Dental Gold, All gold Marked 10K, 14K, 18K Foreign Coins, Silver Coins, Old U. S. Coins, Proof Sets. All Type Coins, Old U.S. and Foreign Paper Money, Famous Autographs. JIM BUYS GOLD NEED CASH? Operation Hero Comfort receives gifts from troops and VFW DATES DEADLINE NEXT SPECIAL SUMMER EDITION: Wed. Aug. 6 July 30 2014-2015 Rate Cards & Schedule will be available July 31st Desert Messenger Summer Publishing Schedule Call 928-916-4235 E-mail: Editor@DesertMessenger.com www.DesertMessenger.com DEADLINE : WED. JU LY 30 for AUG. 6 TH edition Desert Messenger Email: editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 www.DesertMessenger.com CAROL KELLEY VOTE Quartzsite History and Honest Answers Paid for by Carol Kelley, PO Box 4982, Quartzsite, AZ 85359 by Joanne Winer A few weeks ago, Operation Hero Comfort received a package in the mail that came from a soldier who was in one of the units that gets packages every two weeks from Operation Hero Comfort. This was a little unusual, since they mostly get response only from their contact person at the other end, so the name was unfamiliar--but the surprise was great from this solder too!! Inside the package was a folded American fl ag that fl ew over the base where this soldier was sta- tioned (believed to be in Afghani- stan). It was folded into its trian- gular ceremonial fold, and was presented along with a certifi cate to Anita Carlson, as head of Operation Hero Comfort. The letter that ac- companied it reads--Anita--Thank you so very much for your support. That may sound cliché but please know I truly mean it from the bot- tom of my heart! It is support from people such as yourself that help me push thru! Please accept this token as a thank you from me. Thank you again for your support. and it was signed by GYSGT Daniel A Valdes. The name was not familiar to us, so we fi gured that he must have been one of the soldiers in one of the units that we send packages to every two weeks. Since it fi rst started in 2006 in Quartzsite, Op- eration Hero Comfort has sent out hundreds of packages to units in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait, and are still sending them every two weeks--they have had as many as 10 units "adopted" at once, and are now sending to 5 units, with more added as names are given. This organization started in 2003 when Doc and Anita Carlson started sending packages from their home in Minnesota to family members who were in the military, and when they moved here, they decided to keep it up even after their family members were back. The packages include food items (non-perishable), books, maga- zines, DVDs CDs, toiletry items, and games, etc. and although some of the items are donated, a lot of them have to be purchased, so Operation Hero Comfort also raises money by holding their Silent Auction in December, and also they had a window at the concession stand at the 4th of July celebration where they sold water and sodas. This year they not only sold out, but got extra donations to help with the expenses. Anita also got a surprise when Den- nis Dole from the VFW Post 769 presented her with a check for $250. to help with the packages, and also provided the ice used to keep the drinks cold. A special thanks to the VFW for their support. If you have any items that can be sent in the packages, or would like to donate for the postage, please call Anita at 763-639-9330. Opera- tion Hero Comfort would like to thank everyone who has supported them over the years, and for their support of our troops. Anita Carlson, Operation Hero Comfort

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