Mt. Vernon Register-News

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July 29, 2010

JCOIF holding Bag-A-Thon fundraiser

By TESA CULLI tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Jefferson County Operation Iraqi Freedom is holding its second fundraiser of the year this Saturday, with a Bag-A-Thon at Kroger.

“It’s a ‘Who’s Who’ as I have many community leaders helping,” JCOIF Chairman Joyce Poorman said. “I have 42 people helping as well as the Young Marines. The mayor will be there at 9 a.m.”

JCOIF is a grassroots non-profit organization that holds fundraising events and accepts donations to purchase military PX gift cards for Jefferson County men and women serving in the military overseas during the Christmas holiday season.

“Our goal this year is $20,000,” Poorman said. “We average 25 receiving the PX cards at Christmas each year. Last year, each Jefferson County warrior received $800 each for Christmas, so this really is Christmas in July!”

During the Bag-A-Thon, local “celebrities” and JCOIF members will be on hand to help bag groceries, and take to the groceries to the car for customers if they need the help. Celebrities include Mayor Mary Jane Chesley, Sherry Meadows, Debbie Marlow, Roger Mulch, Joy Loyd, Cheryl and John Hunsell, Shirilyn and Cleo Holt, Robert White, Derrick Quitsch, Don Bigham, Todd Piper, Betty Barker, Diana Dickneite, Nancy Germann, Connie Simmons, Kim Harlan, Jerry McCracken, Dan Knox, Maxine Hogshead, Joan Mandrell, Bill Armstrong, Art Shewmake, Jerry Young, the Rev. Ron Lash, Sherry Williams, Ron Daniels, Cathy Standford, Gary and Doris Stover, Steve and Jean Langa, Jan Danner, Norma Colwell, Eddie and Carolyn Marks, Josh Finley, Mal Rogers, Eileen Williams, Helen Smith and Jean Stomberski.

“All anyone has to do is have a love of our Jefferson County troops in the war zone to put a donation in the can while we sack the groceries,” Poorman said.

The next fundraiser for the group will be the annual Pork Chop Day on Sept. 17, followed by the annual Bowling Tournament on Sept. 18. All funds to be used for the gift cards must be collected by October to allow time to receive lists of warrior names and addresses from friends and family; time to pick up the cards; and for the cards to be mailed and received in time for the holidays.

Anyone who would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities with JCOIF or to make a donation may contact Poorman at 735-2521, or committee member David Keen at 214-0054.

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