PORT NECHES — Sgt. Daniel W. Winegeart, who died in Iraq in October, is being honored during the holiday season by Neches Federal Credit Union and Val Verde Baptist Church.
For the third year Neches Federal Credit Union and Val Verde Baptist Church have collected gift box items for troops overseas.
"We wanted to give to a troop that lost one of our local boys,” Peggy Myers of Val Verde Baptist Church said. "It means so much to them and they are always so appreciative."
Myers chose Winegeart's troop to adopt for the holidays in honor of the local fallen soldier and Friday, Myers accepted a box full of supplies for the soldiers from Dawn Fournier, Marketing Director of Neches Federal Credit Union.
"Our members and employees were a big part of our collection and we did it all five of our locations,"ù Fournier explained. ‚ÄúThis box is just what we got here, there's more at the other branches," she said proudly.
The credit union began collecting items in the beginning of November and even got Groves Middle School to participate by having students write letters to the soldiers.
"Sometimes they write back and then they become like family," Myers said of the soldiers' responses to the letters. "They hear so much negativity, the letters reinforce the positive."
Val Verde doesn't wait until Christmas to get involved with soldiers overseas as the church collects year round and has for several years.
"This is something the Lord has put me in charge of and it's been a blessing to me,"ù Myers said.
Val Verde Baptist Church of Groves will continue to collect items such as CD players and CDs, prepaid phone cards, puzzle books, disposable cameras, hygiene items for men and women and personal letters to the soldiers, but needs donations of money to help ship the items.
"The last time we shipped these things, it cost about $1500 to get it to Afghanistan and Iraq before Christmas," Myers explained.
For more information, to drop off donations for the troops, or to help with shipping costs contact Val Verde Baptist church at 962-8463.
Port Neches
Related Photos
-
MIKE TOBIAS
Discussion
December 1, 2006
Credit Union and church adopt troop for holidays
- Port Neches
-
-
PNGSL opens registration to Port Arthur players
- PN Council gives green light to fire station grant
- Deadline change for Port Neches fire department grant acceptance
- Port Neches-Groves High School 'A-B' honor roll
- Port Neches-Groves High School 'A' honor roll
- PN-GISD approves property trade with Port Neches city
- Salon Mecca to host Port Neches Chamber Coffee on Thursday
- Robert Arnold wins PN Place 4, unseats incumbent Don Anglin
-
Voters to elect Port Neches councilmember
-
Video: Indians take the field
The Port Neches-Groves Indians football enters the field following the drum line at the 2012 homecoming game against the Ozen Panthers.
- More Port Neches Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
