BY FRANK SOJAK
When LaRue Holsopple of Vinco learned that many troops serving in remote areas of Afghanistan were not receiving care packages, she sprang into action.
Holsopple has rallied the Vinco area and points beyond to help the troops. During the past several months, Holsopple and her supporters have sent nearly 400 care packages.
And they are not slowing down.
The care packages let the soldiers know that people support them, she said.
Holsopple learned about the matter through her son-in-law, Capt. Carl Phillips, an Army chaplain who has been serving in Afghanistan since March.
Phillips, a former Vinco resident who is married to Holsopple’s daughter, Deanna, mentioned to Holsopple that many of the 500 soldiers he serves do not receive packages.
Holsopple, an active member at Vinco Brethren Church, told fellow church members about the matter.
The congregation was glad to help and donated eight packages, she said. In addition, a member of the church, Nancy Hodge, donated many packages on her own, she said.
Holsopple said she then informed other churches in the area and the project started to mushroom with organizations, neighbors, friends and relatives of hers plus others pitching in to help.
Holsopple’s aunt, Vera Leidy of Vinco, belongs to a bowling league and, along with fellow bowlers, donated about 10 packages. Leidy, a retired teacher, got colleagues to donate packages also.
Holsopple’s daughter, Denise Ochenrider of Vinco, and her daughter’s co-workers donated 40 boxes.
St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church, both of the Vinco area, donated 20 boxes each.
A neighbor, Connie Kuhar, a nurse with Conemaugh Home Health, and her co-workers donated seven packages.
Holsopple said her neighbor, Karen Whited, a member of St. John Vianney, has been a big help in packing the boxes.
Neighbors Who Care, a Jackson Township community-oriented organization, donated $300 for the purchase of supplies for care packages.
The Boy Scout troop in Vinco and the Jackson Township Lions Club as well as the Raystown Brethren Church in Saxton and the Pleasant View Brethren Church in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, also supported Holsopple’s program.
“I couldn’t have done it without all those people,” she said.
“That shows that they care about our troops.”
Holsopple said Colleen Sherman, executive director of the Keystone Chapter of the American Red Cross, deserves plenty of credit for obtaining a grant that pays for the $11.95 costs of anyone wishing to ship a package.
For her efforts, Holsopple is the Person of the Week.
Sherman said Holsopple is an example of how one person can make a difference.
“What LaRue has done is take it upon herself to make sure that every soldier in her son-in-law’s unit gets something,” she said. “She single-handedly has rallied this entire community to help.
“Her enthusiasm is contagious.
“It has motivated me to work harder within the Red Cross to make sure these soldiers are taken care of.”
Sherman said the timing of Holsopple’s project is ironic because the Keystone Chapter also is conducting a program to send packages to deployed troops. The postage is paid through the grant.
Capt. Phillips said in an e-mail from Afghanistan that because of his mother-in-law’s project, his soldiers are enjoying a constant supply of the most needed hygiene products as well as snacks and playing cards.
Holsopple and her husband, Harvey, have four children and five grandchildren.
Tribune-Democrat editors select a Person of the Week from nominations made by readers. To nominate someone, call 532-5058, 24 hours a day.
How to help
What: Packages for soldiers.
Items needed: Shaving cream, tooth brushes, snacks, etc.
Information: To help with projects by Holsopple or the Red Cross, call the Red Cross at 255-1550
