Babylon Gold Star Mother supports, Blankets for Troops Program

For a proud group of residents living at The Arbors Assisted Living Communities on Long Island, knitting is no longer just a hobby, it's a way to give back to the country they love. Knowing firsthand the perils of wartime, America's greatest generation started a small, homegrown effort to help troops brave the cold winters in the Middle East. The Blankets for Troops Program was soon created to provide hand-knitted items such as blankets, sweaters and scarves to soldiers serving overseas. Throughout the past year, resident veterans from WWII knitted close to 100 items, which were shipped during the winter to soldiers through Jacob's Light Foundation.

Originally organized in honor of PFC Jacob Samuel Fletcher of Babylon, Jacob's Light Foundation sends American military overseas packed boxes and necessities from home. Packages from Jacob's Light are sent primarily to soldiers at Forward Operation Bases and Fire Bases because they do not have the access to daily supplies that larger bases offer. The donations were shipped to Forward Operation Bases in Iraq, and Fire Bases in Afghanistan, as well to the Army's 2/183rd Calvary, Troop B serving in Kuwait (as pictured in March, 2008). The troops received the hand-knitted goods just in time for the coldest months of winter 2008.

Dorine Kenney, Gold Star mother and founder of the not-for-profit organization, Jacob's Light Foundation, was more than pleased to join forces with The Arbors for this project and the response thus far has been overwhelming.

"The Blankets for Troops Program is a wonderful way to show our military that our communities back home are supporting them. We re- ceive hundreds of letters monthly, and several "thankyou" letters were written specifically to the wonderful residents of The Arbors for the thoughtfulness and hard work." Ms. Kenney added, "The soldiers are especially grateful that their grandparents' generation came to their aid and provided such much-needed items."

In June 2007, Congressman Steve Israel celebrated the achievements of The Arbors' residents in a ceremony at The Arbors Assisted Living Community in Bohemia. Veterans had an opportunity to share motivations for participating in the initiative, and present military, who recently returned from service, were also in attendance.

If you would like to make a charitable contribution, or donate wool, yarn or a personal hand-knitted items for The Blankets for Troops Program, contact The Arbors Assisted Living Communities at Bohemia, Laurie Musto-Watts, Director of Community Relations, (631) 567-3113, lmusto@thearborsliving.com.

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