County exec and sheriff organize holiday campaign
For the second year, the Putnam County government and sheriff’s department are working with United for the Troops to raise money through Dec. 18 to send comfort packages to those serving in the U.S. Armed Forces overseas.
For a $15 donation, the campaign, known as Operation Defend the Holidays, will send a care package to a soldier overseas on the donor’s behalf. Last year, the county received donations to fund 360 packages. United for the Troops was founded in 2007 by by Mahopac residents Jim and Pat Rathschmidt when their son, Luke, was serving with the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army in Iraq. The organization typically stocks its comfort packages with cookies, DVDs, CDs, snacks and T-shirts, all of which are donated. The $15 pays for the postage.
Visit putnamcountyny.com/carepackage to make a pledge, then mail a check made out to United for the Troops and with “Operation Defend the Holidays” in the memo line to Terry Oliver, County Executive’s Office, 40 Gleneida Ave., Third Floor, Carmel, NY 10512. Call Oliver at 845-808-1001 for more information.
