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11-7 Troop relationships facilitated through grassroots campaign
Photo: Mt. Olive students joined together to participate in the Morris County Cares Campaign and adopt a troop. From left to right are Eric Wood, Rebecca Dermanjin, Mark Wizner, Shane Dermanjin, Nick Stefiniw, Jeremy Karl, Steve Konrad, Dan Nussbaum, Chris Brooks, and Paul Tritt.As the holidays approach, more than 3,000 men and women from Morris County will be celebrating in Iraq and Afghanistan. These brave members of the National Guard were recently deployed from bases in Morris County, and will be spending their holiday season more than 6,000 miles away from their homes and loved ones. For many, this is their third, and even fourth tour of duty in the Middle East. Here at home, Americans want to show their support for all the brave men and women overseas. To achieve that goal, one resident, Charlie Wood Urhmann of Mt. Olive, is spearheading a grassroots campaign. The goal is threefold. First, the campaign will provide continuing active military awareness and support here at home. Secondly, a drive will collect letters of support and basic items for the troops. Finally, funds will be raised to cover the costs of overseas shipping. Organizations around Morris County have been invited to participate in this initiative by adopting a troop and by starting their own “Morris County Cares Campaign”. The MCCC provides a contact name, a list of requested items, a photo of the sponsored troop, preprinted postcards for supporters to send personalized messages, pens, two posters, and a short video. Postcards sell for one dollar each, offsetting the high cost of shipping overseas. Those donations and letters that are collected will be shipped to the troops in time for the holidays. The final collection date is November 20. “When I read that we were going to deploy that number,” said Urhmann, “I created a mission where we would provide them with what they need. It’s a personalized mission, as personalized as you can get.” Uhrmann points out that Morris County Cares is careful about their collection. “I get the name of a representative from a unit, and a list of items they can’t get over there. We also get a list of items they don’t want to receive.” She points out that the soldiers are in very cramped quarters. “Some of them don’t have refrigerators and things. Some of the items that are being shipped over there are going to waste. They don’t have any storage facilities. We’re not just sending stuff over there. We’re sending what they’re asking for. They’re clearly saying they don’t have any place to store it.” Morris County Cares is doing things differently from some organizations. “We are providing them only with the items they are requesting,” Urhmann said. “When we customize our shipment, each unit is adopted by an organization that is given the list of items, information about the troop, and often the troop will give information about their living conditions.” It doesn’t end there. Urhmann said the soldiers want more than just donations. “They all want letters. They all want communication.” The MCCC is important to Urhmann. She is passionate about what can be accomplished, and sees it as a way to build a bridge between our citizens at home and those serving their country overseas. She views herself as a facilitator, one who simply starts off the relationship, and then steps back to let it blossom. “When we find a sponsor for these units, they will write letters and fulfill the unit’s needs. The boxes will be prepared with the items inside the box along with the letters, and the name of the organization that adopted that troop. All of that will go into the box. I will then send the box to the unit and the unit will have everything they need to correspond directly with the sponsor.” In forming the MCCC, Urhmann said she always starts a project the same way. “First thing I think of is how do we build relationships? I always start every project with that question. I thought the economy is bad right now, but everyone can afford a dollar. I called Miller Coors Cooperation, told them my idea, and they loved it. They said they would provide the initial seed money to start the campaign, and gave $1,000.” Once the campaign was financed, it was extremely easy for Urhmann to find those in need. She found many troops requesting assistance online. “I found out there are 5 troops on the frontline that have absolutely nothing. One is a hospital,” she said, referring to a MASH unit. “Another way I received requests was through emails and phone calls from spouses and parents of soldiers overseas.” The campaign has been growing steadily throughout the county. “The response has been wonderful,” Urhmann said. “So far, we have 42 units covered. The units range from 80 to as little as 12. That’s a lot of people.” Participation has ranged from churches and community organizations to schools and private groups or individuals. “I was contacted by mothers who lost their sons in Iraq. They stepped up and wanted to adopt a unit and do their own troop drive. They basically ask for directions on how to be involved.” Urhmann explained that individuals and groups of any size can participate. “If it’s a small group, I give them a small troop.” Urhmann’s son, Eric Wood, an 11th grader at Mt. Olive High School, asked friends to get involved in adopting a troop. “This is when you know you have true friends,” Wood said. “I just told them I needed help.” Mark Wizner, a 12th grader at Mt. Olive High School, was the first to agree to help. For Wizner, however, the campaign has a deeper meaning. Upon graduation in June, Wizner will be joining the U.S. Army as an infantryman. Eventually he hopes to go to airbourne school. For now, though, Wizner says he is looking forward to serving his country. “I’m excited,” he said.”I’d be proud to fight against terrorism. I know I’d be scared, but I’d want to stay for my country, for the people who were killed by the terrorists.” “Eric asked me to help,” Steve Konrad, also a senior at the school, said. “We’re going around collecting donations. I went around to teachers and got a lot of cards. It felt pretty good.” Classmate Rebecca Dermanjin agreed, saying she looks forward to corresponding with the troop. “If I can, that’d be cool.” “The response at our school has been great,” said Wood. “The first night we had at least 300 letters and over $100 in donations. One guy gave us $20. He said he was over in Iraq and really appreciated what we were doing. After six years, some people are forgetting that we’re over there. They’re getting used to it. This raises awareness.” Local residents can also participate in the campaign on Halloween night in a unique way. Urhmann is hosting a drive at her home from noon until 9 p.m. “I will have a festive tent set up with hot apple cider, hot chocolate, dunking for apples, treats, and a table where people can take a moment to write our troops. Eric solicited our entire neighborhood (179) homes for donations. I pray we will have great success!!! I live in a great neighborhood. I have great faith,” she said. Urhmann’s home is at 12 Jennies Lane in the Hackettstown section of Mt. Olive, and she is anticipating a successful evening. For more information about the Morris Count Cares Campaign, contact Charlie Wood Uhrmann, Campaign Organizer, at (908) 684-0057.
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