Ladies Show Support To Deployed Troops Overseas

Many organizations across the United States have come together to show support to the troops deployed overseas. Care packages are carefully put together and sent to Soldiers serving in deployed areas like Iraq and Afghanistan.

One particular group that stands out for their continuous support to deployed troops is the Twisted Sisters based out of southwest Chicago, Ill.

The original members of Twisted Sisters were members of the same health club and the group continued to grow from there.

"I met Judy Bernaciak at the Worth Post Office and noticed she was shipping to Soldiers. She asked for my Soldier's address and the rest is history," said Judy Mack, a member of the Twisted Sisters.

The Twisted Sisters started sending care packages in 2005 and continue to send them monthly.

"We are proud to be able to send these packages and let our military members know how much we appreciate what they do for us and the sacrifices they and their families are making," said Judy Bernaciak, member of the Twisted Sisters organization.

Local veteran groups and merchants within the community have made it possible to get the shipments out every month by providing monetary donations and baked goods.

"The Palos Health and Fitness Center, where many of the TS (Twisted Sisters) now go to work out, allow us to run periodic collections to help raise money for mailing, which averages about $800 a month," said Bernaciak.

The Twisted Sisters also receive a lot of personal donations from friends and neighbors as well.

The Twisted Sisters are able to reach out to Soldiers within the 1st Theater Sustainment Command through their care packages.

"During the course of the deployment, I received packages from them nearly every month," said Capt. Jennifer Cox, one of the 1st TSC Soldiers who received a care package while deployed. "My favorite part was the notes of encouragement that they included."

The care packages that are sent contain a variety of items to include hygiene products, home baked goods, and perishable food items. The group tries to include special items to give the Soldiers as much of home as they can.

"The best was the home baked goods. It's feels good when you can taste the love," said Maj. Loretha Woods, recipient of a Twisted Sisters care package.

If Soldiers have specific requests the group will do their best to comply. The number one requested item is always the baked goods with the most talked about being the baklava.

The most unusual request was from a chaplain who requested a stole that would meet military specifications, said Bernaciak. "We found a company that made such stoles and one of our members graciously paid for it."

Soldiers overseas would always show their gratitude by sending back thank you letters, photos and cards for the support given to them by Twisted Sisters.

"The care packages increased morale in the organization," said U.S. Army Maj. Melody Robinson. "Some Soldiers did not receive mail from anyone."

The Twisted Sisters feel a sense of satisfaction and pride sending Soldiers a little bit of love from the folks back home, said Mack. As long as they have addresses to send care packages to, the Twisted Sisters will continue to send packages overseas to those serving their country.