Valentines for the troops

Beth Diesner-Gee knows the importance of receiving letters. She heard all about it from a man stationed overseas while in service to his country - her husband.

"My late husband was a military man," she said. "He was in during the Vietnam conflict. The guys he was with loved getting mail. They really enjoyed it."

Diesner-Gee has made it a practice to send letters to those in the military. This Friday, she and a group of friends will be at County Purr Farm Scrapbooking in Carson City to make Valentines to send to military personnel through an organization called "Letters from Home."

"We can't get the names of the troops anymore, like we used to be able to do," Diesner-Gee said. "What we will do is send them to (Letters from Home) and they'll forward them on."

After hearing about the program from Diesner-Gee, the owner of County Purr decided to set up tables at her shop for anyone to make Valentine's cards for the troops on Friday and Saturday.

"The store is providing the supplies and use of stamps and tools to make (Valentines)," said Donna Anderson. "They'll leave the cards here, and we'll send them out to the person that is going to distribute them."

Anyone can come into the store, at 3220 Highway 50 No. 3, to make cards for free. The shop has been open since mid-September.

This is the first time Anderson has made such a service available at her store, and she may do it during future holidays.

"We thought this would be a great way to incorporate (letters to the troops) with the community," she said.

"It's a nice way to give things back to other people," said Diesner-Gee.

-- Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.

If you go

WHAT: Make free Valentine's Day cards for the troops

WHEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday

WHERE: County Purr Farm Scrapbooking, 3220 Highway 50, No. 3

CALL: Owner Donna Anderson 885-7377

INFORMATION: See www.lettersfromhomeprogram.org on the Internet or call Beth Diesner-Gee at 691-6096 to provide names and addresses for military personnel from Northern Nevada who would appreciate mail.