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2006-06-07

"OPERATION CARE PACKAGE” TO SUPPORT TROOPS IN IRAQ AT ORBIT IRRIGATION PRODUCTS

Public Invited to Join Families, Friends of Troops in Friday/Saturday

Community-Wide Effort

NORTH SALT LAKE, UT. AUGUST 19, 2005.

Employees at Orbit Irrigation Products will be coordinating care packages containing personal hygiene products and food for the 872 Maintenance from Ogden this Friday and Saturday, August 19 and 20.  The Army unit with more than 230 members, the 872^nd left for Iraq on May 14^th of this year. The troops, scheduled to be stationed overseas for a total of 18 months, are the largest group to be deployed out of Utah since the war in Iraq began.

 “Employees at Orbit Irrigation have been affected by the war in Iraq in many ways, both individually and collectively,” said Orbit company spokesperson Ed Deinhert. “After the company donated 11,000 personal Arizona Misters to keep troops cool last year, we began plans to organize what we hope will be one of the largest care package drives in Utah.”

As planning for Operation Care Package began, organizers soon realized they would need outside help to fill the needs of the troops. “Utah has the largest number of troops per capita of all 50 states, and Orbit is expecting a great turnout to show our friends, families, colleagues and fellow statesman how much we care,” continued Deinhert. “Without the support of the community on this project, we won't be able to reach our goal.”

 Operation Care Package organizers are aiming at collecting enough items and cash to complete a care package for every of the soldiers in the 872^nd. Each kit will include wet wipes, razors, eye drops, lip balm, dental floss, breath mints, toothbrush, granola bars, beef jerky, hard candy, crackers, and pre-sweetened packs of Kool-Aid, as well as travel size containers of shaving cream, mouthwash, deodorant, toothpaste, bug spray, sun block, and liquid hand sanitizer.

 The organizers hope that by collecting, assembling and shipping the contents now, the care packages will reach the troops by Christmas. “At a time that is generally hardest on troop morale, we want to remind them of the people back home who are grateful for the sacrifices they are making,” noted event coordinator Michelle Pohlman.

 Orbit is teaming up with the Family Readiness Group (FRG) for the two-day collection drive. FRG, an organization of the families left behind by deployed soldiers, will supply donuts and juice to those donating on Saturday.

Orbit employees will begin collecting items, Friday August 19, at their company headquarters - 845 Overland Drive, west off the I-15 exit ramp for 2600 South in Bountiful. Donations from the surrounding community can also be dropped off, Saturday August 20, between 9:00am and 3:00pm.