By Deb Kelly
TERRE HAUTE — Those wishing to send Valentine’s Day greetings and goodies to loved ones in Iraq are being offered a free and easy way to do so today and Thursday.
Mattox-Wood and Mattox-Ryan funeral homes in Terre Haute are providing free kits that include a box, customs forms and instructions. The funeral homes also are paying the shipping costs.
The funeral homes are asking that the boxes be returned Monday so they can be shipped in time for Valentine’s Day.
Kevin Nickles, who is with Mattox-Wood, said they will “make sure all the paperwork and everything is done properly, and we take it to the post office … the benefit is that we pay the shipping, which is quite a bit of money.”
He explained that the outreach is “a service to the public so they can send some things to loved ones or friends who are serving in the military in Iraq.”
Nickles added the event is not just for family of soldiers; those who want to “adopt” a soldier, or send a gift box to someone they don’t know also is welcomed.
“It doesn’t cost them anything,” he said. “The only thing they have to spend money on is the items they buy to put in the box.”
Nickles said he hopes it will get kids involved in writing letters to the troops.
“That’s one of the greatest things for our troops over there, to get letters,” he said.
The program is just for troops in Iraq, but could be expanded depending on the public interest.
“What better way to send something,” Nickles said. “You just come get a box, fill it and we’ll take care of the rest.”
For more information about the program, call Mattox-Ryan Funeral Home at (812) 462-1000 or Mattox-Wood Funeral Home at (812) 462-1010.
Box kits can be picked up at the two locations today and Thursday. The return date for shipping is Monday.
Deb Kelly can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or deb.kelly@tribstar.com.
