KFMP volunteers work to give deployed members 'creature comforts'

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephen J. Collier
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Even with the Arabian dust whipping over them as they tear into packages from home, they smile with joy that comes from getting a little piece of America in the mail. 

That's what volunteers of the 302nd Airlift Wing Key Family Member Program are hoping will happen when dozens of care packages put together Nov. 1 reach their destinations half a world away.

The volunteers rallied at a 39th Aerial Port Squadron classroom to sort through and assemble care packages being sent to several locations in Southwest Asia. Nancy Schmitkons, KFMP board member at large and wife of Col. Karl Schmitkons, 302nd Operations Group commander, said she was proud of what deployed members have done for us. 

"We want to show (deployed members) we love and support them by sending something from home," Mrs. Schmitkons said. 

Several items were placed in each package, including assorted lotions to fight the dryness of the desert, candies, home-made cookies and letters of appreciation. Those letters were supplied by high school and middle school students, including fifth and sixth graders from the Classical Academy of Colorado Springs, Colo. The idea for the letters came from Mark Law, son of Master Sgt. Marie Law. 

"I was sitting in on one of the family support group activity nights at the Chapel Hills Mall and I had an idea to send 'thank you' letters to the deployed Airmen," Mr. Law said. "After I talked to a couple of my teachers, they said it was a great idea and encouraged me to pursue it." 

Mr. Law, whose mother is the training manager for the 39th APS and KFMP volunteer, said being able to provide letters to the deployed servicemembers "makes you feel a part of something bigger." 

We want them to know "someone here cares about them over there," he said. "These people allow me to have a better life at home because of the freedoms they're helping to defend." 

The boxes are expected to be mailed to deployed members the week of Nov. 3-7. For more information on KFMP or to join their organization, call Marie Law at 556-5397 or Christina Fornander at 351-2794.