ASU's Beck PRIDE Center ships more than 200 packages to 1038th in Iraq

July 16, 2008 -- More than 200 boxes of personal and convenience items were shipped recentlyto Baghdad, Iraq, to servicemen and women from northeast Arkansas. The ASU Beck Pride Center for America’s Wounded Veterans sent the packages to uniformed service members in the 1038^th Horizontal Construction Company of the 39^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Arkansas National Guard. The 1038^th is located in Blytheville and includes members from northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri.

“We are amazed and thrilled at the amount of support of the northeast Arkansas community shown to our soldiers,” said Susan Tonymon, program director for the Beck Pride Center for America’s Wounded Veterans. “People really stepped up to make donations for shipment and we spent the day Friday getting those items out with the help of a lot of volunteers."

Tonymon said the packages should arrive in Baghdad in about 10 days from the shipping date. The shipment includes soldier kits for men and women, special packs for children, candy, videos, snacks, and other convenience items. Re/Max Realty donated 150 30-minute calling cards. Also enclosed are letters, a banner with more than  200 signatures and messages showing area support, and a PowerPoint video greeting card which includes scenes from Jonesboro and additional messages.

More than $3,500 was raised in cash donations toward shipping postage, and Tonymon said the Northeast Arkansas Dental Association made a donation to complete shipping costs. The dental association also provided postage for packages shipped to the Arkansas National Guard 875^th Engineering Battalion.

In addition, members of the 875th who have returned from service and Dr. Dennis White, [Lt Col (AUS) retired], the external liaison for the Beck PRIDE Center, cooked and served hamburgers and hot dogs to the volunteers. Dr. Robert L. Potts, ASU chancellor, also attended. Food and soft drinks were provided by local and area businesses. Diane Upchurch, mother of veteran Susan Upchurch, provided a special cake decorated to resemble the American flag.

The donation drive was spearheaded by the veterans of the ASU Beck PRIDE Center.

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