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Reminder Assistant Editor AGAWAM Many soldiers returning home from tours in Iraq have said, "The war is just far enough away for people to forget." However, for one Agawam mother patiently awaiting her son's return home from Iraq, the "Global War on Terror" remains constantly on the forefront of her mind. Geraldine Kasulinous, medical professional and owner of Pathways to Healing, a Behavioral Health Collaborative in Agawam, said she was unsure of how to help the troops until after her son deployed two months ago. Kasulinous said she received a patient the day after her son left for Iraq, and he was a patient meant to walk through her doors. The man was a soldier who had returned from Iraq, seeking treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), she said. He told her that while deployed he received a package from someone in the United States. Kasulinous said his eyes welled up as he told her how he "carried that package in his heart throughout his tour." She said he felt honored that someone he didn't know was caring for him. At that moment, Kasulinous said she knew exactly how to help the troops, by sending them care packages to "bring light into their lives." Kasulinous is currently working with the Western Hampden District Department of Veterans' Services to collect items that will be sent to soldiers in time for the holidays. "I think it gives them hope and lets them know that people care," she said. "It makes a big difference and really touches their hearts." Currently, her office is being inundated with donations and those seeking to volunteer their time to put the care packages together. "The response has been tremendous and I hope that it continues," Kasulinous said. "Am I going to hit 150,000 soldiers? No. But am I going to make a difference in the lives of soldiers? I think I will." She said that, as a mother, she would be very happy to know that others in the United States were sending packages to the soldiers and that her son might one day receive a care package. When speaking about her son, who is serving in the Army National Guard, Kasulinous began to weep. "I am an extremely proud mother," she said. "My heart wishes he is home but I know that his is doing what he wants and needs to do. If he's meant to be there at this particular time, that's where he's meant to be." Kasulinous said that focusing her energies on sending care packages to the troops is beneficial to her and everyone in the community. "This is a forgotten war and people don't know what to do anymore," she said. "We need to support the soldiers regardless of whether or not we agree with the war." Donations can be dropped off at or mailed to: Pathways to Healing, 540 Meadow St. Extension, Suite 103, Agawam, MA, 01001. Suggested items include: playing cards, bug spray (pump style), dry soup mix, combs, brushes, foot powder, wet wipes, feminine products, deodorant (roll or gel only), ground coffee, sunscreen, trial size laundry detergent, lip balm, sunflower seeds, soccer balls, volleyballs and nets. Items that are not permitted include: pork products, tobacco, alcohol, homemade foods, flashlights, combustibles, pornography and glass products. Kasulinous said that cash donations can also be made toward the purchase of additional items for the troops, or for shipping costs. On average, Richard Girard Jr., director of the Western Hampden District Department of Veterans' Services, said the shipping costs per package to soldiers in Iraq is between $60 and $100. He noted that the items collected by Kasulinous will be sent to 10 different soldiers from the Western Hampden district in various units serving throughout Iraq. For more information, call Pathways to Healing at 789-7455 or the Western Hampden District Department of Veterans' Services at 786-0400 ext. 237. | ||||||
