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Reminder Assistant Editor WESTFIELD When deploying for war, soldiers have been known to give their significant others a keepsake for them to carry until their return home. Some soldiers leave photographs, a spare set of dog tags or even an engagement ring with their loved one so that they may feel connected in spite of their distance and uncertainty. For the owners of Whip City Candle Company on Elm Street, the thought of comforting soldier's families in their time of need prompted them to donate 1,000 of their Soy Sweetheart Bears to servicemen and women across the state. The donation was made through the family support offices at Barnes Air National Guard Base and Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee. Sandy Wakefield, wing family program coordinator at Barnes, explained that 25 members of the security force squadron from Barnes were deployed to Iraq last month, which provided her with the opportunity to distribute some of the bears. "[The bears] give them [family members] a reminder of their loved one that's gone. Giving them the bears the day that they leave was touching," Wakefield said. She added that the bears "help to boost the morale of the families. It's [deployment] hard on the families and there isn't anything we can do to make the time go faster." Stacie Phetteplace, co-owner of Whip City Candle Company, said she and other members of the company have family or friends in the armed forces, which aided their decision to donate the bears. "They've [the troops] done so much for us it's just one little thing we can do for them," she said. "I can't imagine what they [the families] face so just to be a part of a happy memory or thought is just awesome to me." Phetteplace added that the donation of the "Sweetheart Bear" seemed very fitting for this cause. She explained that the teddy bears are dipped in soy wax and heavily scented. The bears act like potpourri, not candles, and add scent to homes for six months. "Support from our local community is critical to providing services to our members and aiding us in showing the community's appreciation for our efforts," Capt. Matthew Mutti, executive staff officer at Barnes, said. Wakefield explained that her office is responsible for each family's health and welfare at Barnes. While the bears are one way to boost morale during deployment, the Family Support Office provides financial support, counseling and group activities such as an Easter egg hunt, a Halloween haunted hayride, pasta dinners and Family Readiness Group meetings in order to address the physical and emotional needs of soldiers and their families. "Because of their [Whip City Candle Company's] generosity I have something great to offer these families," Wakefield said. "Just to help boost their morale in just a small little way I think it means a lot to the families that someone is thinking of them." To coordinate donations for the troops contact Wakefield at 568-9151 ext. 1183. | ||||||
