Two months ago, Diane Giroux sounded the call and people responded in overwhelmingly numbers.
Last week, the Oxford resident mailed 158 Christmas care packages to members of the Michigan Army National Guard’s 125th Infantry serving overseas and recovering at home from battlefield injuries.
‘This is my Christmas present,? said Giroux, who’s 21-year-old son Ryan, a 2002 Oxford High graduate and Specialist currently serving as a Humvee driver with the 125th Infantry in Iraq. ‘It was my biggest Christmas wish to do this. It meant everything to me.?
Giroux was featured on the front page of the Oct. 12 Leader after she launched ‘Operation Christmas,? a drive to collect material and monetary donations to create 141 holiday care packages for members of Michigan’s 125th Infantry.
The caring army mother didn’t want any of the soldiers serving with her son to feel lonely or forgotten this holiday season.
‘It’s almost like they’re all my kids now,? she said. ‘I want them to know they’re loved. They’re not forgotten.?
Following the story’s publication, Giroux said she received ‘tons? of response ‘starting the next day.?
‘I’m totally overwhelmed.?
‘We had so much love and support,? she said. ‘We met our 141 (goal) almost right away.?
‘Without you, we would not have had this wonderful response,? said Giroux, referring to the Leader.
Scout troops, elementary school classes, local businesses, churches, families, veterans organizations, cross country teams, couples ? the outpouring of donations came from everyone everywhere.
‘I had someone from California sent me a $50 check,? Giroux said. ‘We had a company from Columbus (Ohio) donate stuff.?
The Ohio-based Freedom Food Brokers donated all the beef and turkey sticks included in the care packages.
More names of 125th Infantry soldiers serving overseas were sent to Giroux, raising the total to 158 packages. It would have been 160, but unfortunately two of the soldiers were recently killed in Iraq, according to Giroux.
Of the 158 packages, Giroux said 145 were mailed to Iraq, five were sent to soldiers serving in Bosnia, Afghanistan and the Sinai Peninsula, and eight to wounded servicemen recuperating in Michigan, Georgia and Texas.
Four of the packages are headed for 125th Infantry soldiers being treated in the burn center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
These brave young men were ‘severely burned? when their Humvee was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), which is basically a booby trap. One soldier was killed in the blast.
‘Our focus has shifted to supporting the family members,? Giroux said. On the homefront, Giroux is looking to start a ‘military mom support group? for the Oxford area.
She said the group would offer a safe and supportive place for other local military moms to ‘vent and share? their ‘feelings and fears? surrounded by those going through the same experiences. The group would be a place ‘to let it all hang out,? Giroux said. For more information call (248) 628-0095.
Diane Giroux would like to thank the following for their contributions:
Greg Grenier
Ed & Millie Solon
Ed & Carolyn Hepp
Pat King
Chuck & Yvonne Weir
Ed & Karen Cline
The Oxford High School &
Middle School Cross Country
Teams
Margaret McFarland
Sharon Heskitt
Susan Salquist
Gregory & Irene Jarvis
Don & Julie Richmond
Doring, Inc.
Henry West
Larry & Dianne Banachowski
Wil & Charlotte Thurston
Jack Bucholz
Margaret King
Detroit Pepsi Employees
Carmen Tillard
Joseph & Donna Binando
Phil & Linda Sailer
Joanne Doyle
Penny Linto
Randolph-Miller Associates
John & Sally Baker
The Patrell Family
Lori Shafer
David & Ann Odden
Lori Mancini
Marvin & Constance Miller
Harold Rogers
Peter & Genevieve Wandrie
Stephen & Kathy Keesling
Lynn & Kati Henderson
Rick & Sue Lyons
Pearl Bice
Charlie & Mary Garrard
Ann Greer
The Havener Family
Coldwell Banker Shooltz
Drs. Daniel & Donna Sahutske
Rodney Allen
CJ & The Oxford Leader
Yvonne Kay, Mike Letkowski &
Joe Peters – UAW Region 1
James & Sharon Hodges
Aquinas College – Regina Hall
Council
Harold & Jeanette Bowen
Dick & Claudia Lowthian
Charlie & Linda Britton
Nicki Bauer
Jennifer Roop
Mary Matthews
Vivian Cislo
Lillian Johnson
Pat Brisson
Jean Davidson
Mike Banachowski
Nancy Vancil
Marilyn Stratton
Andrea Buchanan
Caroline Jubelt
Pam Brooks
The Graham Family
Aquinas College Republicans
Berville Lioness & VFW
Dave & Denise Sanderson
Lisa Colombo, Sophia Baher &
Carole Kott – UAW Region 1
Gloria McLaughlin
Jake & Donna Martin
Carolyn Mills
Jeff & Patty Buchanan
Lorraine & Cathy Deschamps
West Berlin United Methodist
Church – Allenton, MI
Dr. Ronald Paler
Dr. David Weeker
Ruth Dix
Nu Way, Inc.
The Rizzo Family
Lake Orion Kroger
Brownie Troop 3101 – Lakeville
Elementary
Jennifer Saxon
Lapeer Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints
Lisa Mirza
Lil & Lisa Prawdzik
Berna Swan
Dr. S. Mastromatteo
Sherry Armstrong
VFW Auxiliary – Berville, MI
Boy Scout Pack 85 –
Armada, MI
Freedom Food Brokers
Dr. Jim Komendera
Jim & Dr. Tina Marshall
Carolyn Miller
Traci Cooley
Janice Heline
Joy Heykoop
Bob Karas
Jeff Griessel
George & Yvonne DelVigna
Fred & Mary Ann Kenner
Paul & Kay Meunchen
Sandy Nichol
Norm & Connie Wells
Terry Craig
VFW Ladies Auxiliary –
Post #582, Ortonville, MI
Ron Beard
Oxford Meijer
Judy Narducci
Christine Kage
Allison Hamilton
Laurie Shaffer
Phil & Patti Lawson
The Bouck Family
Tom & Barb Burley
Steve & Diane Giroux
Kristin Giroux
Ryan Burchard
Mrs. Johnson’s & Mrs.Bartlo’s
4th Grade Classes –
Oxford Elementary School
Barb Walkaus
Seymour Lake United
Methodist Church Youth &
Tweeners
Charles Dial