Pen Pals for soldiers sends items to troops

UBS Financial Services offices of Woodland Hills and Westlake Village, along with help from downtown L.A., Pasadena, and Oxnard offices, recently contributed more than 700 lbs. of clothing, food, and other items for service men and woman overseas.

UBS employees from the Woodland Hills office also raised more than $900, and UBS Corporate matched that amount for a total of 1,800 to help defray some of the shipping costs overseas.

Mitch Ackerman, UBS complex manager and military veteran, was responsible for coordinating the UBS Financial Services contributions.

He felt that providing much needed items to our military personnel overseas during the holidays was the least that could be done for those dedicated to serving our country.

Pen Pals for Soldiers, Inc. is a nonprofit, volunteer organization.

To date the group has put together more than1725 packages, valued at approximately $14,600, and weighing over 12,000 pounds.

Pen Pals has received the support of men and women from the Army, Marines, Airmen, Navy, and National Guardsmen to ensure that packages and letters were delivered to the deserving troops.

The Dec. 5 event was open to the public and more than 65 people attended to write a friendly letter or donate durable goods to the cause.

Items included: lip balm, unscented sunscreen lotions, unscented skin lotions, unscented insect repellants, foot powder, disposable razors, socks (thick black cotton), hard candies, writing tablets or paper, envelopes, pens and pencils, Band-Aids, moleskin, non-alcoholic baby wipes and beef jerky snacks.

For more information about Pen Pals for Soldiers, Inc., contact Barry Thomas, 805-577-6798 or visit www.penpalsforsoldiers.org.