College Republicans adopt ... a platoon, that is
Posted on January 17, 2008
With lows in the 20s, it was freezing on the commons Tuesday. In fact, the College Republicans were the only group out there.
“Support the troops,” senior Erin Leonhardt called to passers by. “Every little bit helps.”
Students and faculty stopped to stuff money into the decorated box as they hurried by, bundled up in scarves and coats. Tuesday was the kick-off day for the College Republican’s new Adopt-a-Platoon service project.
“It’s been encouraging to see people stop and resonate with the cause,” Leonhardt said.
First vice chair of College Republicans junior Tom Connolly created JMU’s chapter of Adopt-a-Platoon. He hadn’t seen anything going on around campus specifically geared toward the troops and had heard from College Republicans that they were interested in giving back.
Adopt-a-Platoon appealed to Connolly because unlike other charitable armed service organizations that focus on individuals or one-time contributions, participants in Adopt-a-Platoon sponsor an entire platoon of U.S. troops, sending letters and care packages once a month.
“With the size of our club and the resources of our club I didn’t think it was out of our reach,” he said. “It was something we could do since they do so much for us.”
College Republicans submitted its application around the second week of December and received their delivery letter Jan. 7.
“As soon as we got the platoon we were ready to get out there and give back,” Connolly said.
While they aren’t allowed to reveal the specific location of the platoon, they can say it’s in Iraq. The platoon sent a list of requested items as well.
Second vice chair of College Republicans sophomore Juliana Comer said that some of the items they’re focusing on for this box are socks, fly swatters and insect repellent.
“It’s insect season there, so we’re trying to send them really practical things,” Leonhardt said.
Senior Mike Sargent said it doesn’t take much to make a difference.
“Skip your daily Starbucks two days in a row and buy half a dozen socks for someone who maybe goes through a pair a day,” he said.
Connolly believes supporting the troops is a bipartisan issue.
“The basic idea is that we want to give back to the troops,” he said. “They’re doing so much for us overseas, it’s the least we can do to try and get some supplies over to them.”
Leonhardt and Sargent said they saw a lot of support.
“I think it’s cool to get the campus involved because we’re not promoting the club, we’re promoting a cause,” Leonhardt said.
“I’m a Republican, but it’s not a Republican or Democrat thing,” Sargent added. “There are people who need socks whether or not they’re a Democrat or a Republican.”
Comer said they’ll be sending the packages directly to the platoon, so shipping could be expensive. They’re going to try to include 15 of the same items in each package.
“So they don’t have to fight over stuff,” Comer said.
Connolly said that at the end of their first day they collected $137.
“We’re very happy with the results and we really want to continue on,” he said.
College Republicans will be on the commons every other Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to collect money or items. They will also be collecting items or money during their meetings Mondays at 7:30 p.m. in Taylor 400.
