Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW Curves Clubs are dedicated to providing fitness and nutritional care for women throughout the world, and the women who visit these clubs work hard to improve themselves. They work hard to improve the lives of others as well. The local Curves Clubs have designated the month of August as a time to support our troops overseas. Kathy Cardinale and Martina Hauser, morning managers of the Curves in Feeding Hills and East Longmeadow, respectively, have been gathering items over the past month to put together care packages for U.S. soldiers in foreign lands. "[Cardinale] spearheaded this project. One of the club members in her branch has a son fighting overseas, and she decided we needed to do something for all the men and women over there," Hauser said. Sue Kozlik, owner of the local clubs, supports their endeavor. The East Longmeadow branch started gathering items for the care packages during the second week in August and already has more donations than the Feeding Hills club. "We're really excited about that," Hauser said. The collection of donated items will continue through the end of the month, with the packages being sent out soon afterward. A giant basket holds all the items donated by both Curves members and people from the community; two boxes of books sit in front of it. A list of needed items is available at the front desk. There are some items on the list that haven't been donated yet, however. "We're still looking for CDs, small packets of laundry detergent, baseballs and gloves, condiments and spices, bug spray and board games," Hauser said. Other items accepted include lip balm, disposable razors, feminine products, toiletries, sunscreen and healthy snacks. Hauser said they're also looking for names and addresses of soldiers overseas to send the care packages to. "We want to send these to all of our friends and family overseas," she added. Each package costs about eight dollars to mail, so the women of Curves are also holding a raffle throughout the month of August to help pay for shipping costs. Tickets are three for one dollar and there's no limit on the number of tickets purchased. Monetary donations for the shipping costs are also welcomed. Soldiers aren't the only ones the generous ladies of Curves aid. This year, they've donated over 500 pounds of food to the Food Pantry, $800 to the St. Jude Children's Hospital and $300 for breast cancer awareness. "We'd like to try and collect again for the soldiers around the holidays," Hauser said. Curves of East Longmeadow is open Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 3 - 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Donations will be accepted and raffle tickets will be available from now until Aug. 31. "We have something going on all the time," Hauser said. "We have really supportive and helpful members here." | ||||||
