More 'We Care' packages are bound for Afghanistan

Linda Snyder, left, and Sheri Hartley of Garden Prairie Methodist Church, rural McCook/Maywood, pack a box for American soldiers serving in Afghanistan. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette)

McCOOK, Neb. -- Annie Trail of McCook struggled through a prayer this morning, her voice catching on tears that just wouldn't be denied.

"Dear Heavenly Father," Annie prayed with the corps of volunteers in her garage. "Here we are again ... "

Annie's prayer would be that God watch out for and keep safe the American soldiers who will receive the 50 "We Care" packages stuffed and mailed today to a chaplain serving American troops at a Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan. Annie, her husband, Dick, and their volunteers have mailed similar packages for ten years now, participating in the "Adopt-A-Chaplain" program.

"And please, God, bless the hands that pack and tape these boxes," Annie -- known as "Grannie Annie" to the two or three chaplains she works with each year -- prayed.

"Annie's Packers" stuffed boxes with magazines, snack foods, dried meat treats, hygiene items, puzzles, word game books, movies. They filled with box corners with pieces of the 74 pounds of Halloween candy donated by a dentist in Alma.

"I am just so blessed ... so overwhelmed by the generosity and support of our communities," Annie said.

Today's packers and tapers included some of Annie's veteran volunteers from McCook, Cambridge and Culbertson, as well as representatives of Garden Prairie Methodist Church and First Central Bank.

Annie plans two more packing parties, Thursday, Nov. 17, and Tuesday, Nov. 22, each at 9 a.m. in her garage. To volunteer, contact her at (308) 345-5181 or (308) 340-3578.