Craven, as a member of Chapter 951 of Vietnam Veterans of America, was invited to address the United Veterans Council in an attempt to coordinate the effort to send comfort packages to our combat troops.

Unknown to the Vietnam Veterans of America chapter, others such as Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2015 had also been sending parcels to the troops.

Members of the council, representing the county's veterans organizations, agreed to present the idea of a combined effort to their respective organizations. They also set out to establish a collection point for contributed goods in the Clearlake area.

Craven said she intended to shop with any donated monies as though she was shopping with her own.

"I can stretch a dollar until George screams," she said.

She's presently aiming for a Saint Patrick's Day shipment to be packed the latter part of this month.

Her donations list shows some donors not yet thanked in print. Kirk MacDonald, and Woody and Sandy Hughes are all dual members of Vietnam Veterans of America and the VFW, and have contributed. Tamara Newby, John and Naomi Cain, and the United Veterans Council itself also have donated.

Hopefully, this list of donors is already outdated. You can help make it so by sending your donation to P. O. Box 1313, Lakeport, CA 95453. If you have goods to donate, call Hugh Mackey, 263-0277, to arrange a drop-off. If you wish to contribute cards or letters, they also can be sent to Box 1313 for forwarding.

As a private told Craven, "anything makes these boys happy, even a small note from a child. Heck, you could probably send a sheet of paper with a smiley face on it and my guys would laugh the rest of the day! Thank you so much ... we can't wait to get back home."

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