LAKEPORT— On Saturday, Linda’s Gift Gallery and Hallmark in Lakeport was the host for a benefit event with the proceeds going to Operation Tango Mike. The nonprofit celebrated its 18th year of supporting troops this past week. There were a plethora of prizes and items raffled off Saturday, most of which according to OTM’s Ginny Craven, were donated by a large number of community organizations and retailers including Jimmy’s Deli, U.S. Nails salon, Lakeport Hair Designs, Carmelita’s Cocina and Romi’s Brew and Barbecue in Nice. Hallmark owner Linda Banfill is a staunch supporter of Operation Tango Mike, and her two sons were care package recipients during their deployments as Marines. Banfill thanked her dedicated staff, saying they were primarily responsible for setting up Saturday’s fundraiser. Craven said that the regular monthly packing parties will resume as soon as it is safe to do so and permitted by the County, but a small group of dedicated members have been social distancing behind the scenes preparing monthly care packages because despite COVID, deployments have continued. For further information about the packing parties, please call 707-349-2838, e-mail operationtangomike@mchsi.com or visit www.operationtangomike.org. To date, the all volunteer non-profit has shipped more than 22,000 care packages to deployed military personnel.
