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Operation Healing Angel Gears Up for New Year
(January 15, 2009) | 
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| “The response is tremendous during [the Christmas holiday]
for sending cards and gifts, but the need is just as great when
this holiday ends,” said Alessandra Kellermann, founder of
Homefront Hugs
USA, the group that manages the Operation Healing
Angel program. “We run 365 days of the year. It's important for
us to keep in contact with the troops throughout the year. Cards
are a wonderful way to say thanks to those who sacrifice so much
every day.”
Operation Healing Angel's mission is not only to provide support
to servicemembers at home and abroad, but also to reach out to
health care professionals who take care of them when they are
injured, Kellermann said. The program's volunteers collect items
such as cards, pens, travel games, mini flashlights, alarm
clocks and handkerchiefs for health care professionals in
hospitals overseas and at home. Care packages for servicemembers
include cards, U-shaped neck pillows, CDs and DVDs.
“What I love about this mission is that we include the
caregivers -- the medical personnel too often forgotten,”
Kellermann said. “I once worked in an emergency room and
intensive care unit, so I know the stress and toll of dealing
with traumatic events and the need for a morale boost whenever
possible. The coffee, blankets and soft music is received with
much gratitude and appreciation.”
Air Force Senior Airman Mackenzie Schroeder took time to express
her gratitude upon completion of her tour in a military hospital
in Iraq. “As my tour comes to an end,” she wrote, “I just want
to extend another thank you for all the care packages that you
have sent to me, my coworkers and the men and women who come
through this [hospital] daily. Your gifts, thoughts and prayers
are much appreciated from everyone.”
A medic stationed in Germany wrote to Kellermann three years
ago, requesting support for a soldier he was treating. She knew
then that she wanted to do something to uplift the spirits of
both the medic and the injured soldier.
“The word spread quickly as we began to send cards, accompanied
by care packages filled with blankets, cozy socks, spiritual
books, bathrobes - anything the medical personnel or chaplains
could give to these wounded troops,” she said.
The majority of Operation Healing Angel cards and care packages
go to Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals in Washington,
D.C., Florida and Hawaii. Packages also go to military hospitals
in Germany, Afghanistan and Iraq.
“The need is great, as it reminds our heroes who care for our
wounded and those injured that during their struggle to get
better, they are never forgotten and someone is thinking of
them, praying and hoping they know we are grateful for their
sacrifices,” Kellermann said. | |
By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2009
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