Boatsie's Boxes to troops brim with appreciation

One family's care package to a soldier expands to embrace the American national family.
LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- What started with one family and concern for a son and brother far away in a war-torn land is now a nationwide project involving Americans' pulling together as one big family.
Jenny Cammarata coordinates the Boatsie's Boxes to Baghdad project at Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, 3919 Southern Blvd., where her husband, the Rev. Nick Cammarata, has served as pastor for four years.
She is involved for two reasons.
First, it was her mother, Gail "Boatsie" Van Vranken of Wheeling, W.Va., who began the venture when her son and Cammarata's brother, Master Sgt. Patrick Van Vranken of the Air Force, was stationed in Iraq in 2004 (he now is in Italy). He sent an urgent message home about the need for some necessities and maybe some niceties that would help troops in a practical way and lift morale.
Second, Cammarata thought the project would be embraced by the congregation as part of its mission work. The church is now a satellite center for the project.
"My brother messaged my mother about what was needed," Cammarata said. Her brother relayed that the troops had few conveniences of home.
What started as care packages to Cammarata's brother has evolved into a nonprofit 501(C) charitable organization. Cammarata explained that her mother spread the word about sending items to the troops, and the effort grew.
It has grown
In the beginning, the project originator sought out friends, churches, businesses and corporations -- and now they call her to offer donations. It has grown so much that Boatsie's Boxes was recently featured in an article in The New York Times.
Boatsie's Boxes has received donations from individuals, churches, service organizations, schools, businesses and corporations to send to American soldiers. For example, Cammarata said, NASCAR donated 5,000 race magazines, Standard Textiles gave towels and Hampton Inns gave soap. Individuals have packaged thousands of toiletries, snacks and games. "Things like lip balm and saline nose spray are especially appreciated in the desert conditions," Cammarata said.
The goal of Boatsie's Boxes is to send some 10,000 filled Christmas stockings this year.
Pleasant Grove Church itself will be sending 400 filled Christmas stockings this year; in 2005, the church sent 260 and the first year, 250. "The Christmas stockings are earmarked for trauma hospitals in Iraq," Cammarata said.
A room at Pleasant Grove took on the appearance of Santa's workshop as rows of red holiday stockings, straining at the seams from the goodies inside, were lined up in shipping boxes stamped with the identification "Boatsie's Boxes." About 14 to 18 stockings are packed per box. Included with the stockings are messages of encouragement and prayers from church members.
Yearlong effort
Although the holiday gift is in keeping with the season, the project isn't limited to Christmas. "My mother ships 50 boxes a week," Cammarata said of the yearlong effort. Pleasant Grove ships about five boxes a month, Cammarata said. Another big effort will take place around Easter.
In the church, there's a box labeled "for the troops," and contributions come continually. While some people donate items, others give money to help pay for shipping. "It costs from 17 to 20 to ship to an APO address and takes about three to four weeks to get there," Cammarata said. "The church has an account just for money for shipping to Iraq."
While many in the Pleasant Grove church take stockings home to fill and decorate, others may bring in items and Cammarata and volunteers fill the stockings. Cammarata spends hours packing, labeling and taking the large shipping boxes to the post office. "I call ahead to warn them I'm coming," she said.
Last week, Market Street Elementary sent out 250 stockings as part of the project.
Feels appreciative
"Our soldiers are paying the price. What they're doing is tremendous, and I appreciate it," she said. "This isn't about whether you approve or disapprove of the war ... it goes across political boundaries ... it's about helping fellow Americans. That's what makes it so easy."
Cammarata said the bonus is receiving photos and messages from troops who get the packages and stockings. "I think sometimes people may wonder ... 'Is this getting to where it's supposed to go?'" she said, noting that e-mailed photos and messages to the church are proof how much the soldiers appreciate the items and the concern that comes with them.