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Tree project supports deployed employees by Cindy Abole Public Relations Coping and staying in touch with a military loved one deployed overseas can be a continual challenge. With news constantly changing about conditions and extended tours of duty in Iraq and other areas of world conflict, simple acts—sending a letter or package from home—can be a nice remembrance and heartened gesture.      As a tribute to MUSC’s activated military personnel and other family members who are currently deployed, MUSC will sponsor a Holiday Deployee Tree. The activity is sponsored by the MUSC Veteran’s Day Committee in conjunction with the campus’ annual recognition of workplace veterans on Nov. 9.      “All employees have multiple families that provide support,” said Geoff Freeman, assistant professor, Educational Technology Services and Distance Education and member of the MUSC Veteran’s Day Committee. “MUSC can be considered as one of those families that provide support. As part of a large organization, deployed military employees gain by knowing that other people care and think of them while they’re away from home and their families. The holiday deployment tree is a good project that allows co-workers to organize something—no matter what the gift—to show their support.”           MUSC employees can provide the name of a deployed military employee or family member, their APO address, branch of service and e-mail to MUHA Human Resources Mary Brigman, brigmanm@musc.edu.      “This is a great outreach effort regardless of whatever holiday one celebrates (Hannukah, Kwanza or Christmas) in late December,” said Katy Kuder, Volunteer Services manager and member of the Veterans Day Steering committee. “We want MUSC employees who are serving as deployed military to know that their MUSC family is thinking about them and they receive gifts from home.”   Beginning Sept. 15, MUSC departments, units and individuals can take a named star from the decorated Holiday Deployee Tree, which will be located in the Children’s Hospital lobby. Participants also may pick up an empty care package box and suggested packing list at the project tree table.     Participants will have a month to gather items and fill their care package. Some suggested items to pack include snacks (chips, nuts, crackers cookies, etc.), candy and gum, dry condiments and quick protein foods (canned meats, energy bars or non-perishable beef jerky), toiletries, personal care items, socks, reading materials, games, puzzles and phone cards.      Once completed, participants may bring their package to the 2006 MUSC Veteran’s Day Program by 2 p.m., Nov. 9, Basic Science Building Auditorium. Following the ceremony, the Veteran’s Day committee will take the care packages and prepare them to mail out to MUSC deployed military personnel and their families in time for the upcoming holidays. Nurse-mom stays close to deployed son via e-mail, packages Clinical nurse associate Crystal King can’t help but worry for her son, U.S. Army Sgt. Terrel Butler, 22.  Butler serves in the 108th Division of the U.S. Army Reserves and has been stationed in Iraq since May. Since his deployment, King has consistently communicated with Butler through e-mail, packages and most recently, by military cellphone.   In late August, King sent a special birthday care package that included snacks, necessities and small items for himself and to share with his buddies.   “The care packages are great,” said King, who continually is supported by co-workers on 7East. “We send him the packages and he shares it with his buddies and acknowledges us with a thank you, plus sends digital photos to keep us posted about what’s going on.”      Butler, who temporarily worked at Central Supply, will serve in Iraq and the Middle East for a deployment of 15 months and is scheduled to return to the Lowcountry next summer. Until then, King and her family will continue to keep their soldier and his unit friends in their daily prayers and shower them with unwavering support.      “As a mom and family member, I can see how this [MUSC] Deployee Tree project can provide the right type of support for soldiers serving in the fields,” King said. “If a person gives from their heart, it doesn’t matter when, what or to whom they give.” What to send to a deployed service member Receiving a care package from home can be a real morale booster for a deployed service member. Before putting together your service member’s care package, check to see if there are restrictions on what you can send. Place items that may spill or leak in heavy plastic zipper-lock bags. Freezer bags work well and your service member will likely find other uses for the bags. Meal enhancers. Anything that can be mixed with MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), such as ramen noodles, seasoned salt, individual packets of hot sauce, mustard, relish, and ketchup. Quick protein. Energy bars, tuna fish, sardines, non-perishable beef jerky, or beef summer sausage. Make sure the meat is labeled USDA Beef. Snacks. Look for small, hard containers of chips, pretzels, and nuts. These are easier to carry than large containers. Avoid bags, which may burst. Candy and gum. Avoid chocolate if your service member is in a warm climate. It will melt in the heat. Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, cotton swabs, shaving lotion, disposable razors, shampoo, individually packaged tissues.     Friday, Sept. 8, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.