LAKEPORT ? More than 30 people showed up at Umpqua Bank in Lakeport Tuesday night for a packing party to send supplies and treats to troops in Iraq. Operation Tango Mike, which is military lingo for “thanks much” is a Lake County volunteer-run program dedicated to brightening the lives of those serving in the military overseas.
Founded by Ginny Craven, a former peace officer with the Lake County Police Department, four years ago it was Craven alone packing about six to 10 boxes at a time. After word-of-mouth got around about what she was doing, many volunteers jumped in to help out. Now the group packs upwards of 60 boxes per meeting, or as many as they can depending on resources and number of volunteers.
“God bless Lake County, I always wonder, are we going to have enough? But it always is. It keeps getting done,” Craven said to the crowd gathered in a small room in the upstairs of the bank. She explained to the group how to pack the boxes. “Absolutely no pork can be included, because that is forbidden in Muslim countries?and don”t pack food with deodorant. I”ve learned from experience, one recipient told me very kindly that cookies don”t taste so great when they smell like deodorant.” At the end of her pep talk, a “HeartWarmer” was presented to Scott Muchmore, a young man from Clear Lake who will be heading to Iraq in November. The gift is a cloth design that carries a notecard or other object next to the heart. It was designed by Joan Jacobs of Lake County and is currently being manufactured in San Francisco by Joe Joe”s Garments. It is packaged up and down California. Jacobs said it is her goal to get a HeartWarmer into the hands of each military member. “Scott will be the first recipient,” she said as Craven handed one to him.
Jacobs has joined forces with Operation Tango Mike and said a portion of sales of the HeartWarmer will go directly to the cause. “We”re really excited to help out Tango Mike, we”re working on a statewide level right now, and it”s very well received,” Jacobs said.
She added that making the product in the United States is helping create jobs in the garment industry, which has largely moved overseas. “To make our first production run it employed nine women for three months?they”re loving it.”
Once the presentations and pep talk came to a close, the group dispersed to several tables, rooms and even spilled into the hallway to create space to pack. Those volunteering ranged in ages from eight to 82.
Muchmore spoke about the importance of receiving correspondence while serving in the military. He said it helps keep the tie to the United States strong when war and unfamiliar territory can cause a member of the troops to feel extremely disconnected.
“There are people there from families who can”t afford to send them anything. I think it inspires people when they get something. It”s a big relief,” Muchmore said. Shelby Posada of the Lake County Arts Council helped her husband pack boxes at a long table. She said they enjoyed showing their support in a setting where no political agenda was pushed. “It is uplifting. I”ve met people from all walks of life here. It”s always a surprise how many people show up,” Posada said.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com.
