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Helping troops "phone home"
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| Renee Miles holds phone cards from WalMart in Safford that will be sent to members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Diane Saunders/Wick Communications) |
By Diane Saunders and Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
Area resident helps phone card drive grow into a statewide campaign
Renee Miles just wanted to show support for members of the United States military by organizing a phone card drive in conjunction with the Safford Saturday Night Stampede.
What has happened, though, is statewide support for the phone card drive via requests from communities and the news media to join the effort.
Several locations in Willcox have agreed to be collection points for phone cards that will ultimately end up in the hands of U.S. soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Miles, who spent most of her childhood on the beaches of southern California, moved to Arizona with her parents in 1994 - just in time for her to be chosen prom queen and to earn a Duncan High School diploma.
After winning the Miss Greenlee County competition, she used her scholarships to attend Eastern Arizona College and Pima Community College.
After working for about five years as an emergency medical technician, she started a family and found herself immersed in an Arizona tradition.
"I got really involved in rodeo. I've been barrel racing about nine years," she said.
Her involvement in rodeo sports soon took another direction - promoting the events.
"I absolutely fell in love with being an event promoter," Miles said. "I believe in family entertainment and family fun."
After promoting the 2006 Safford Saturday Night Stampede, Miles decided to promote the rodeo's 2008 edition - this time with a "support the troops" theme.
She said members of her family served the nation in the military - especially in wartime. Her grandfather fought in World War II and played baseball with fellow soldiers, including Joe DiMaggio, the famous New York Yankees outfielder, who served in the war.
Miles wanted to honor the U.S. armed forces at the rodeo in a tangible way and contacted military officials to find out what the troops need. The answer - phone cards.
Businesses in the Gila Valley were receptive to serving as collection points for the cards - only three declined to participate. To date, there are 20 businesses signed up to collect the cards, she said.
News of her project soon circulated throughout Arizona and across the ocean to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Miles made a presentation to the Willcox City Council at its May 19 meeting.
"I wanted to extend the courtesy to the Willcox community," said Miles, who has lived in Willcox for about five years. She moved to Safford in the last three months to concentrate on rodeo, but returns to Willcox on weekends, she said.
"At first I wanted to do care packages, but the commander told me troops want to talk to their families, so phone cards are needed more," Miles said.
"They cannot call their families when they have a bad day. Just to hear 'I love you' is enough to get them through another day."
Chief of Police Jake Weaver and Kathy Smith, director of the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, both said they want to have barrels placed at their locations.
Miles said that Valley Telcom, who is the drive's biggest sponsor, will also have barrels in their Willcox and Safford offices.
"Valley is very excited to help Renee see her vision become reality," Marketing Supervisor Bob Dahlstrom told the Range News.
Ruth Graham, the city's finance director, asked if donating money was acceptable, but Miles explained that she prefers people purchase a phone card and sign the back just to give it a personal touch for the soldiers.
Councilmen Phil Stratton and Jimmy Norris said they commended Miles for what she was doing.
Phoenix television station KTVK-Channel 3 asked Miles to appear on "Good Morning Arizona" on May 23. She said she did a five-minute live interview. Excerpts from this interview will be broadcast on newscasts, and the station will continue to promote the card drive.
In Willcox, the drive begins on Monday, June 9.
Those who want to support the troops by donating a phone card may drop off the cards in designated containers at Simflo, Valley Telecom, Safeway, Sierra Lumber, GM Propane, Willcox Department of Public Safety, and Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, through Monday, Aug. 1.
The phone cards will be stored in the vault at Chase Bank of Willcox until Aug. 16, Miles said.
Children can participate in supporting the troops by writing letters or drawing pictures that will be delivered to Iraq and Afghanistan.
A separate barrel only for pictures and letters only will be at the Arizona Range News, 122 S. Haskell Ave., Willcox.
People may sign up their loved ones serving in Iraq or Afghanistan to receive phone cards by sending an e-mail to Miles at rmiles@vtc.net.
The criterion to receive phone cards is that the troops have to be actively deployed, Miles said.
Renee Miles just wanted to show support for members of the United States military by organizing a phone card drive in conjunction with the Safford Saturday Night Stampede.
What has happened, though, is statewide support for the phone card drive via requests from communities and the news media to join the effort.
Several locations in Willcox have agreed to be collection points for phone cards that will ultimately end up in the hands of U.S. soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Miles, who spent most of her childhood on the beaches of southern California, moved to Arizona with her parents in 1994 - just in time for her to be chosen prom queen and to earn a Duncan High School diploma.
After winning the Miss Greenlee County competition, she used her scholarships to attend Eastern Arizona College and Pima Community College.
After working for about five years as an emergency medical technician, she started a family and found herself immersed in an Arizona tradition.
"I got really involved in rodeo. I've been barrel racing about nine years," she said.
Her involvement in rodeo sports soon took another direction - promoting the events.
"I absolutely fell in love with being an event promoter," Miles said. "I believe in family entertainment and family fun."
After promoting the 2006 Safford Saturday Night Stampede, Miles decided to promote the rodeo's 2008 edition - this time with a "support the troops" theme.
She said members of her family served the nation in the military - especially in wartime. Her grandfather fought in World War II and played baseball with fellow soldiers, including Joe DiMaggio, the famous New York Yankees outfielder, who served in the war.
Miles wanted to honor the U.S. armed forces at the rodeo in a tangible way and contacted military officials to find out what the troops need. The answer - phone cards.
Businesses in the Gila Valley were receptive to serving as collection points for the cards - only three declined to participate. To date, there are 20 businesses signed up to collect the cards, she said.
News of her project soon circulated throughout Arizona and across the ocean to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Miles made a presentation to the Willcox City Council at its May 19 meeting.
"I wanted to extend the courtesy to the Willcox community," said Miles, who has lived in Willcox for about five years. She moved to Safford in the last three months to concentrate on rodeo, but returns to Willcox on weekends, she said.
"At first I wanted to do care packages, but the commander told me troops want to talk to their families, so phone cards are needed more," Miles said.
"They cannot call their families when they have a bad day. Just to hear 'I love you' is enough to get them through another day."
Chief of Police Jake Weaver and Kathy Smith, director of the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, both said they want to have barrels placed at their locations.
Miles said that Valley Telcom, who is the drive's biggest sponsor, will also have barrels in their Willcox and Safford offices.
"Valley is very excited to help Renee see her vision become reality," Marketing Supervisor Bob Dahlstrom told the Range News.
Ruth Graham, the city's finance director, asked if donating money was acceptable, but Miles explained that she prefers people purchase a phone card and sign the back just to give it a personal touch for the soldiers.
Councilmen Phil Stratton and Jimmy Norris said they commended Miles for what she was doing.
Phoenix television station KTVK-Channel 3 asked Miles to appear on "Good Morning Arizona" on May 23. She said she did a five-minute live interview. Excerpts from this interview will be broadcast on newscasts, and the station will continue to promote the card drive.
In Willcox, the drive begins on Monday, June 9.
Those who want to support the troops by donating a phone card may drop off the cards in designated containers at Simflo, Valley Telecom, Safeway, Sierra Lumber, GM Propane, Willcox Department of Public Safety, and Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, through Monday, Aug. 1.
The phone cards will be stored in the vault at Chase Bank of Willcox until Aug. 16, Miles said.
Children can participate in supporting the troops by writing letters or drawing pictures that will be delivered to Iraq and Afghanistan.
A separate barrel only for pictures and letters only will be at the Arizona Range News, 122 S. Haskell Ave., Willcox.
People may sign up their loved ones serving in Iraq or Afghanistan to receive phone cards by sending an e-mail to Miles at rmiles@vtc.net.
The criterion to receive phone cards is that the troops have to be actively deployed, Miles said.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of willcoxrangenews.com.
josh wright wrote on Mar 16, 2009 5:20 PM:
" Hello,
Thank you for taking a second out of your busy work schedule, to read my little letter. My name is Josh Wright I have adopted the 1st Battalion 5th Marines stationed out of Camp Pendleton Oceanside, Ca during Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as Operation Enduring Freedom. I know a few Marines that have deployed back out to defend our country, a third to fifth tour. The Marines they understand the sacrifices & are willing to make them. They are afraid that they will be for gotten well on deployment. Please I would like to see that not happen !! These brave Marines I have had the honor to meet them personally, they are more then HEROES in my book. They are legends !
I was just wondering if your family, friends, church & co-workers would like help support some Marines deploying out? By sending the Marines thick boot socks(size 6-12), underwear (size 32-36) , foot cream, hand warmer pack/heat packs, body wash / lotion, instant hot cocco mix, baby wipes, eye drops, chewing tobacco, batteries, small flash lights, travel size snacks and beef jerky. Those are just a few of the items the Marines ask for. It’s just something to place a small smile on their young faces & let them know we have not for gotten about them. The Marines & troops always enjoying getting letters of support, the Sunday funnies, jokes, magazines likes ( FMF, Maxim, STUFF, car & truck ) care package or anything for that matter from some one they have never met.
Flat Rate priority mail boxes are always a cheap way to go. It cost around $9 - $13 to send a flat rate box, but you can pack it as every as you like. Please make sure to tell the post office you are sending the box to a war zone. They will give you a customs form you need to fill out…. It will ask what kind of items are in the box, just write in candy. The box will get to the Marines a lot faster.
If you would like to donate items …. The locations are listed below.
Starbucks Coffee shops located in Irvine, Ca at : Culver & Walnut, Sand Canyon & 405 shopping center, and Campus Drive across from UCI
American Legion Post #291
215 East 15th Street Newport Beach, CA 92663 Telephone: (949) 673-5070
The Marine Corps career center located right across the street from Downey High & next to PetCo. 8566 E Firestone Blvd Downey, Ca 90241
Josh Wright
Downey, Ca
liljoshwright@yahoo.com "
Thank you for taking a second out of your busy work schedule, to read my little letter. My name is Josh Wright I have adopted the 1st Battalion 5th Marines stationed out of Camp Pendleton Oceanside, Ca during Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as Operation Enduring Freedom. I know a few Marines that have deployed back out to defend our country, a third to fifth tour. The Marines they understand the sacrifices & are willing to make them. They are afraid that they will be for gotten well on deployment. Please I would like to see that not happen !! These brave Marines I have had the honor to meet them personally, they are more then HEROES in my book. They are legends !
I was just wondering if your family, friends, church & co-workers would like help support some Marines deploying out? By sending the Marines thick boot socks(size 6-12), underwear (size 32-36) , foot cream, hand warmer pack/heat packs, body wash / lotion, instant hot cocco mix, baby wipes, eye drops, chewing tobacco, batteries, small flash lights, travel size snacks and beef jerky. Those are just a few of the items the Marines ask for. It’s just something to place a small smile on their young faces & let them know we have not for gotten about them. The Marines & troops always enjoying getting letters of support, the Sunday funnies, jokes, magazines likes ( FMF, Maxim, STUFF, car & truck ) care package or anything for that matter from some one they have never met.
Flat Rate priority mail boxes are always a cheap way to go. It cost around $9 - $13 to send a flat rate box, but you can pack it as every as you like. Please make sure to tell the post office you are sending the box to a war zone. They will give you a customs form you need to fill out…. It will ask what kind of items are in the box, just write in candy. The box will get to the Marines a lot faster.
If you would like to donate items …. The locations are listed below.
Starbucks Coffee shops located in Irvine, Ca at : Culver & Walnut, Sand Canyon & 405 shopping center, and Campus Drive across from UCI
American Legion Post #291
215 East 15th Street Newport Beach, CA 92663 Telephone: (949) 673-5070
The Marine Corps career center located right across the street from Downey High & next to PetCo. 8566 E Firestone Blvd Downey, Ca 90241
Josh Wright
Downey, Ca
liljoshwright@yahoo.com "
Frank Blancherd wrote on Jun 6, 2008 1:26 PM:
I commend these actions. The woman who is promoting this drive is absolutely a Patriot God bless her efforts in supporting our troops.
Our freedoms do not come cheaply unfortunately, we send our loved ones to fight to preserve our freedom for generations to come.
It is a good thing this phonecard idea, because soldiers in the field need to know they are absolutely supported
and it is nice under such stress in their deployment to be able to call loved ones for support.
Me in my family will be participating in this drive because it is so very important. I also many years ago was a soldier I understand wholeheartedly what those cards will mean to our troops in the field.
An old soldier "