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“The goal is to encourage self-reliance while letting them know we are there
if they do need us."
Kimberly Carroll
Family Readiness Group Assistant for 1st Brigade |
By Laura Skillman
EDDYVILLE, Ky., (Nov. 16, 2005) – Every year the Homemakers in Lyon County hold
an auction during their annual meeting with the proceeds often going to a worthy
cause. This year, the Homemakers could think of no cause more worthy than the
families of soldiers stationed at the nearby Fort Campbell Army base. Many of
these soldiers are currently serving in Iraq.
Lyon County is only about an hour’s drive from the military installation, and
many in the community feel a strong connection, said Laura Wilson, Lyon County
Extension agent for family and consumer sciences.
“There are a 115 Homemaker members in six clubs and at-large members,” she said.
“They are a very caring group, and they wanted to do something for our military
community. One member’s husband, Tom McManamay, is retired military and he was
able to make the arrangements to have someone come and talk to us about what can
be done for the families.”
The Homemakers feel empathy for the family members that are left here when their
spouses are deployed, Wilson said.
“We feel really excited about being able to do something for them and to let
them know we do appreciate the sacrifices they are making for our country,” she
said.
The money will go to Operation Helping Hand, a chaplain’s program, set up for
the holidays to purchase food vouchers for lower enlisted family members who may
need assistance purchasing food, said Kimberly Carroll, a Family Readiness Group
assistant for 1st Brigade.
Carroll, whose husband is serving in Iraq, said she has had several groups
request information on Family Readiness Group, especially since the recent
deployment of troops from the base. In addition, many groups are supportive
financially of their efforts
Carroll is one of only a handful of paid staff, where she works to help train
the group volunteers. Volunteers are military family members who serve as a
welcoming committee and provide information and moral support.
“The goal is to encourage self-reliance while letting them know we are there if
they do need us,” she said.
Carroll said part of her role is a liaison between the soldier’s unit and Family
Readiness Group leaders. She is also involved in Care Teams, a group of two to
three people who go in immediately after a family has been notified of a
soldier’s death. They are there to show support and aid them in such things as
child care, preparing meals, lawn care – things church groups might help with
until extended family members can get there, she said.
After Carroll’s presentation, the bidding began on items, all of which were also
donated by the Homemakers and included everything from homemade fudge to
Christmas décor. The group raised $830 from the auction but contributed well
above that when the cost of the donated items is included.
“It means so much to the families at Fort Campbell and all the military for you
showing support,” Carroll said.
Writer:
Laura Skillman
270-365-7541 ext. 278
Contact: Laura
Wilson, 270-388-2341
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