Operation Hoodie: Local group urges residents to donate hooded sweatshirts to wounded soldiers

A conversation at a holidayz party eight years ago drew Shirley Beckman's attention and she started getting involved in something that has come to mean a great deal to her. She's now lead volunteer -- a position somewhat akin to being the president of the organization -- of the local National Guard Family Readiness Group.

"At a Christmas dinner -- and this was be-fore I was even married to my husband -- they were talking about it (the readiness group) and I asked about it and started getting involved," Beckman said. "I've been doing this for almost three years."

Beckman's husband is retired from the National Guard and she is now heading the local campaign to provide hooded sweatshirts to wounded service members, a commodity she's discovered is badly needed.

"It's very hard for the wounded to keep warm in the hospitals, they keep them so cold," Beckman said. "Even in bed it's hard for them to keep warm. Their bodies are adjusting to losing a limb or suffering a serious wound and it's a huge issue to keep warm."

Beckman said zip front hooded sweatshirts are the number one requested item from the Red Cross supply room.

"It doesn't have to be any particular brand, just as long as it's nice and warm. Small, medium, large or extra-large, any size will do," Beckman said. "A $15 sweatshirt is really the least we can do for our wounded soldiers."

Beckman said that she was available to speak to organizations that wished to know more about the effort or to simply pick up a sweatshirt.

"If they would like more information or if they wanted me to speak to their organization or to just pick up a sweatshirt they can call me at 417-876-4298," Beckman said.

Beckman said that sweatshirts could be dropped off at the National Guard Armory.

"For a drop-off in Nevada, you may leave them at the National Guard Armory at 1400 W. Cherry," Beckman said. "

Beckman said this isn't the only project the readiness group participates in, they have lots of activities.

"We support the troops and their families," Beckman said. "During deployment we make sure they can stay in contact with their family and send them care packages."