'Their Angels' Volunteers Help Support Troops

Oct. 13 - KGO (KGO) -- There are almost 1.4 million men and women serving in the American military right now. Some are at war. Many are away from home. And almost all want to know there's someone somewhere thinking about them. We meet an East Bay woman who's trying to make sure soldiers, sailors and marines overseas are not forgotten.

The first Saturday of every month a group called Their Angels descends on the Hilltop Church of Christ in Richmond.

Their Angels volunteers are putting together care packages for American military personnel all over the world.

Marva Lyons, Their Angels: "We don't pass judgment on the war. We don't even entertain that conversation. What we do is try to encourage and support."

Marva Lyons is leader of this band of angels. And she makes sure every care package has a personally written card or letter. To let them know that we appreciate the sacrifice they are making. Marva's mission began after her son James joined the marines two years ago.

Marva wrote to him constantly, but was sad to learn some of his fellow recruits were not getting any mail. So she and her family started writing them too. Then her friends started writing then church members.

Marva Lyons: "One person would tell another person that we were writing letters and would you like to join in."

Pretty soon envelopes full of letters to the troops were coming in from all over the country.

Marva Lyons: "It's phenomenal when I go to the mailbox and I look and find a packet."

Brenda Saucer: "I've written over 500 letters."

Brenda Saucer is one of the most prolific writers.

Brenda Saucer, Oakland: "They don't know me. It's just a letter, but I try to put something in there that's uplifting and to let them know that someone back here cares."

Last year, Marva and the other Their Angels volunteers started sending care packages with the letters. They got some donations, bought a lot of supplies themselves, and have now sent more than 4,000 overseas.

Some volunteers have children of their own in the service. Nancy Townsend's son is in the Air Force, heading for Iraq.

Nancy Townsend, El Cerrito: "It makes you feel good to give something to the people who are deployed."

Krista Silveria's son is a Marine.

Krista Silveria, Crockett: "We get a lot of calls saying we've got a soldier or marine who is not getting cards or packages. And I always do what I can personally, but this covers everybody."

Marva also heard from teachers who got students to join her campaign.

Geri Auten, teacher: "We have to teach letter writing anyway. It's in the curriculum. Why not make them productive citizens also."

At a special education class at Tara Hills Elementary in San Pablo students read us some of the cards they had written. The children use everything from a braille typewriter to a magnification camera to help them create the letters. They even bring in spare change to put in this parking meter bank to pay for care packages.

Andre, student: "Because we have stuff and they don't have that much stuff over there."

Quinn, student: "I felt good writing that letter to the troops, making them feel happy."

The letters and care packages do seem to make the troops happy. Marva has received pictures and thank you letters from all over the world. She read us one from a group of marines and sailors in Iraq.

Marva Lyons: "Just the thought that people will take the time and the money to do something for a bunch of strangers is what America is all about."

So we salute Marva Lyons and the other volunteers of Their Angels. They're always looking for volunteers and donations. October 21st they are holding a golf tournament to raise money for more care packages.

For more information click on:

http://www.theirangels.org/

Written and produced by Jennifer Olney

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