Marine's Mom Seeks Donations for Boot Camp Grads

Charles Baumann Jr., a 2012 graduate of , left for boot camp in July. His mother said every letter home has been positive: In his words, "It is everything I've dreamed."

Brenda Baumann is so proud of her son, who has endured basic training for the U.S. Marines and will graduate from boot camp on Oct. 19. She reached out to Glen Burnie Patch for help with a project to support Charles, and other men and women like him.

Many Marines graduate boot camp without family and friends there to acknowledge and celebrate their accomplishment, according to Brenda. She said one of the parents' groups she belongs to provides Stand Alone Marine (SAM) bags to help the Marines "on their journey to their next destination."

Brenda's hope is to assemble at least 50 SAM bags by Oct. 15 with the community's help. She is looking for donations of the following items for the bags: candy; baked goods (store bought or homemade); granola or protein bars; bottled water and Gatorade; personal care items such as deodorant, toothpaste and brushes; bandages; puzzle books; iTunes or fast food gift cards (think of places likely to be in airports); and homemade cards.

She welcomes donations of other items not listed.

"Anything else you think a young man or woman could want," wrote Brenda in an email to Patch.

If you are interested in helping—or know of a business or group that may be willing to donate, please contact Brenda directly at bbaumann1968@gmail.com or through Facebook.

"I hope other recruit parents will get involved, so that this project continues to have a lot of local support," said Brenda.