Nikki Carlson Havre Daily News photos@havredailynews.com
The women of American Legion Post 11 are working from the homefront to cool and comfort soldiers stationed in Iraq, by sewing neck coolers. American Legion Post 11 donated 51 yards of 100 percent, heavy-duty, cotton fabric to the Auxiliary. Auxiliary President Marlyn Damson of Havre said the Junior Auxiliary cut out pictures from magazines and glued them to colored construction paper to make cards for the soldiers. The cards will be mailed with the neck coolers. Auxiliary members not pictured who have also helped with the project include Roberta Anderson, Marlene Hannah, Sarah Damson and Marge Purkett. Sons of the American Legion member Michael Morelli also helped. Markley, who is the project coordinator, said about $330 was raised from the Memorial Day weekend Poppy Drive at the Holiday Village Shopping Center and the Memorial Day dinner at the Vets Club, where between 50 to 60 neck coolers were sold to the community for donation to soldiers. The money raised was used to purchase cotton fabric, thread, filling and postage for the soldiers’ neck coolers. Marlyn said the neck coolers are in high demand for the soldiers, who have to bear temperatures that reach 150 degrees in Iraq, and are used to prevent heat stroke. So far, the group has made 150 neck coolers. Anyone interested in donating can contact Markley at 265-4677 or Damson at 265-4090. They are also taking requests for soldiers in Iraq. To contact soldiers in Iraq and ask what other things they need, visit the Internet at www.anysoldier.com.
