Michigan Troops Deployed Overseas Get Some Oakland County Love

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OAKLAND COUNTY, MI – Troops with Michigan ties who are stationed overseas are about to get some love from back home.

Staff and officials from Oakland County’s road commission and bar association recently teamed to collect donations for Americans Thank Our Troops, a charitable effort that has been going on for about a dozen years and is supported by numerous organizations, businesses and individuals.

Employees for the Road Commission for Oakland County and lawyers affiliated with the Oakland County Bar Association have collected nearly $15,000 in donations since November for the care packages, according to a news release.

Troops will receive food, personal items, reading materials, entertainment items, puzzles, games, clothing, sundries, letters from elementary school students and other items.

So far, 125 boxes have been prepared and will be shipped to 10 units in Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq and Germany with Michigan ties.

The recent collection drive was spearheaded by two Vietnam veterans — Eric Wilson, vice president of RCOC’s governing board, and bar association member Michael Schloff.

“Honoring our military servicemen and women through this effort helps to show our appreciation and support,” Wilson said in a statement. “Many times, their daily sacrifice is overlooked, and we hope this effort shows support from the folks on American soil. We thank each for their service.”

Schloff said that in addition to money and items, donations to the effort include storage units, warehouse space and packaging materials.

“There is no overhead cost for this effort, which makes the entire process amazing,” he said.

Patrick Castillo, who works for RCOC’s Construction Division, volunteered to deliver a truckload of items purchased with cash donated through the Bar Association’s campaign to the Bar Association’s offices in West Bloomfield Township.

Monetary donations were used to purchase goods through the commissary at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County.

Road Commission staff donated numerous items that were collected in drop boxes around the agency.

“We are thankful to everyone who participated in this year’s collection and our servicemen and women always appreciate items from home making the time away from family and friends a little easier,” Wilson said.

Image: From left, RCOC vice chairman Eric Wilson, attorney and veteran Robert Farnette, bar association members Christina Darrow and Michael Schloff, and RCOC construction inspector Patrick Castillo load items for veterans into a Road Commission truck.