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Struthers women organize fundraiser for troops
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Mary Kay Rep Crystal Rycek and Kayti Patterson with the lip balm and sun protector they want to sell for OPERATION SUNSCREEN for active military overseas
By EMMALEE C. TORISK
STRUTHERS
Crystal Rycek and Kayti Patterson can’t stand the idea of some American soldiers being forgotten about, especially as they’re serving overseas to protect others’ freedoms.
In an attempt to demonstrate their appreciation, Rycek and Patterson, both of Struthers, are collecting donations to fund the purchase of sunscreen and lip protector — products essential in the sweltering climes many soldiers are forced to endure.
“I just feel bad for those people,” Rycek said. “So many of them don’t have people sending them care packages or a card saying, ‘I’m thinking of you.’”
The minimum donation for Operation Sunscreen is $25, which funds one sun-care package, but Mary Kay, the cosmetics company for which Rycek and Patterson are both independent beauty consultants, will match each donation.
Rycek and Patterson’s goal is to reach at least 500 soldiers, men and women alike. Anything above that, though, would be “obviously amazing,” Patterson said.
For Patterson, the effort is a personal one. She served in the Army from 2006 to 2010 and still has a number of friends who are deployed, many of whom have had to leave their children and their families behind. It’s a struggle, she said.
“You hardly ever hear about them anymore,” Patterson said of the troops deployed overseas. “A lot of people don’t realize what [sacrifices are required] for our freedom.”
“We take it for granted, for sure,” added Rycek.
The fundraiser began March 1 and will run through April 30. The sun-care packages will be shipped shortly afterward and reach the troops a month or two later — sometime this summer, when it won’t be unusual for temperatures to reach well above 100 degrees every day.
For more information about Operation Sunscreen, or to make a tax-deductible donation, contact Patterson at 330-977-7406 or Rycek at 330-398-7588.
Patterson and Rycek said they plan to pay for the shipping costs, even though that money will come out of their own pockets.
“We want them to be protected,” Rycek said. “We complain about 90-degree weather, but could you imagine [the weather there]?” Both businesses and individuals are welcome to donate to the cause, Rycek said, with one donor being Knucklebuster Auto Service on Youngstown Poland Road in Struthers. The business is owned by Jeff Franceschelli and Joe Demyan.
Franceschelli, who also is Rycek’s boyfriend, said the decision to donate was easy. It’s just a good cause, he added.
“Anybody that fights for our country deserves something,” Franceschelli said.