Soldier box project gaining interest

TallGrass Spa nail technician Deb Dickinson coordinated the annual soldier box project this year, which generated 535 hand-written Christmas cards and 24 boxes of donated toiletries that were sent to soldiers in Afghanistan.

With growing interest in the effort, Dickinson said that she enlisted the help of students at Parmalee Gulch Elementary School, who helped with the Christmas cards.

Members of the Evergreen Rotary Club also donated items for the care packages, along with clients who come to the spa on Upper Bear Creek Road.

In the spa’s retail department, guests purchased Aveda travel-size items at cost to donate to the project. Gifts of cash from guests along with proceeds from TallGrass’ Support Our Soldiers massages, facials and pedicures helped cover the cost of sending the flat-rate postal boxes to Afghanistan.

The boxes also include games and puzzles for soldiers and some food items.

Dickinson began the soldier box project three years ago after discovering the program at www.AnySoldier.com.

Reading about overseas soldiers who receive no mail also inspired her, said Dickinson.

“It’s become a passion of mine,” she said.

— Sandy Barnes