Staff Advisory Committee Boosts Spirits of Deployed Soldiers

On Saturday, Oct. 15, members of the Staff Advisory Committee gathered at the Fenton Church of the Nazarene to bake and pack cookies for soldiers deployed to Afghanistan.

The SAC group shapes and prepares the cookies for the oven. Left in red, Rebecca Bamber, far back, LTC (ret.) Mike Bamber, Pete Garvin, SAC chair elect, and Debbie Dill-Garvin.

“We wanted to do something special for the troops besides during Christmas, and Halloween became a perfect time to put everything together,” said Yvonne McCool, past SAC chair and organizer of the event.

Once again, the SLU community pitched in and provided the ingredients, their time and money for supplies and shipping.

Mike Bamber, former SLU employee, sent a special thank you to everyone who volunteered their time, talent and treasures.

Patrick Bamber, deployed soldier, said in an email, “You certainly buoyed the spirits of many of our Sappers!!”

In addition to the cookies, 100 minature mummy piñatas were included. The soldiers pulled a string and candy popped out.

“The little piñatas were awesome!” Bamber said. “The soldiers definitely enjoy[ed] opening something.”

Newly promoted Specialist (E-4) Belcher and Patrick Bamber enjoy the cookies from overseas.

SAC will plan another time to send care packages to soldiers and will invite the SLU community to help with contributions, packing, and/or shipping.