As you may recall in our article two weeks ago, we shared with you about the high summer temperatures in Afghanistan. We told you of a way we could help our soldiers during this extreme heat by sending them portable ice makers, and we asked you to help with this special need.

Folks with much gratitude I write today’s article and tell you that our readers have come to our soldier’s rescue. We have had a wonderful response to the article and have received phone calls and emails from our readers wanting to be a part of this project.

On Sunday we had the pleasure of being in the Believers in Christ Sunday school class at Burning Bush Baptist Church. One of the members and a great helper with Operation Coffee Cup, Becky White, told the class about our project to raise money to buy portable ice makers for the soldiers. The class was extremely excited, especially since the pastor of Burning Bush’s son is also stationed in Afghanistan. They immediately took up a collection in that class and raised enough money to purchase two ice makers, and pay for the postage. One will go to pastor McNulty’s son, and the other to a different base, also in Afghanistan. These two ice makers have been ordered and should be mailed to the soldiers before this article is printed.

We have just received another check to cover another ice maker and postage from Theresa Lindsey of Rock Spring, and then another check came in the mail from the Dorcas Sunday school class of First Baptist Church in Chickamauga. Their check will also cover the purchase and postage of an ice maker. These two ice makers will be ordered immediately, and they too will be mailed as soon as we receive them.

A ladies quilting group has contacted us, and they too are planning on making a donation to purchase one ice maker.

We will continue to keep this project open until July 4. At that time, we will begin a new project.

There is always a need for items for the soldiers, and we do mail boxes on a weekly basis to these men and women. We get some wonderful emails from these soldiers telling us how much they appreciate all that is done for them. We assure them that it is not us, but everyone who makes donation to Operation Coffee Cup.

We do not expect everyone to buy an ice maker for the soldiers. If you would like to purchase items for them, or help with the postage cost, which is $12.95 per regular one price box, then that is an ongoing need, and we would appreciate that help also.

Again, we say thank you readers for your support of our troops.

Roger Sherrill lives in Ringgold. He can be reached by email at halojumper@catt.com or by phone at 706-937-3918. You can also become a fan of Operation Coffee Cup on Facebook.