Left photo: Park West Care Center's Angela Evans assists resident Benito Sison who assembles a care package for troops in Afghanistan. Right: Park West activities director Annie Fairchild assists residents Richard Kord and Louisa Eden. Fifteen care packages will be sent to troops in Afghanistan.
Residents at Park West Care Center, 1703 California Av. got their hands on a lot of candy Wednesday, Dec. 1, but the bulk of the treats will be nibbled on in Afghanistan rather than at their North Admiral residence. Seniors assembled 15 care packages containing holiday cards, mixed nuts and candy, including chocolate, and particularly, Peanut M&M's.
Annie Fairchild, new activities director there who organized the drive explained, "One soldier I correspend with there said it was hard to get Peanut M&M's so we're sending a lot of those. You can only send chocolate in the winter because it melts in the mail during their 110-degree summers.
"We want to support the men and women serving in Afghanistan who are working very hard and are very far away from their families," Fairchild added. "It feels really good to love around the world. We're here in West Seattle and have got a roof over our head and this is from us to them. We have collected 100 greeting cards. Residents, colleagues, friends, and families here have filled them out."
Fairchild has a contact in Afghanistan, a soldier who will receive the packages and distribute them.
Fairchild said her interest in corresponding with soldiers began when she lived in Connecticut and flew to Seattle regularly to visit her nephew.
"I was at SeaTac Airport at about 5:30 in the morning flying back to Connecticut and went up to a young man in full military garb and said, 'Thank you so much for serving our country,' and he said, 'Thank you for taking the time to thank me.' He ended up sitting right behind me on the plane, a really young kid, we're talking 18 or 19. He told me he was going to Iraq. I asked for his address and we became pen pals.
"We cooresponded for about six months until he returned and made it home safely. Then I found this void in my life. I loved writing and sending funny pictures and cartoons and goodies, so about five years ago I went online and found AdoptaPlatoon (www.adoptaplatoon.org) and have since supported six or seven soldiers. When they get back I am sent another name. Thank God everyone has returned safely. I do here back from them after they come home and they are always thankful. I am too. I'm really passionate about it. That's a job I couldn't do."
