Albion students adopt soldiers

Fraternity and sorority team up to send love overseas

November 5, 2004
Rachel Karmol
Staff Reporter


The war in Iraq may seem far off for a lot of Albion College students, but for others it just got closer to home. A program called AdoptaPlatoon Soldier Support brought together the fraternity and sorority houses of Alpha Tau Omega and Kappa Alpha Theta (Editors note: The reporter is a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority) and the Albion College campus during Homecoming week Oct. 18-24.

After Matt Cook, Grand Ledge senior and a member of ATO, heard that roughly 90 soldiers in his brother’s military unit did not have families to expect Christmas gifts from, he began making plans to help a soldier. Initially his intents were to raise around $100 and adopt one soldier through the Support program. However, when he brought up the idea to the other members of his house, the overwhelming positive response led to a much bigger project.

“The whole house was excited about it, and since we’ve begun raising money, I’ve heard about so many more that are interested  in helping,” Cook said. “I think that everyone just seems to know someone that is overseas, and so they take a personal interest in it.”

KAO began collaborating with ATO after the sorority expressed similar ideas. The sorority initially became involved with the program last spring when they sent cards and care packages to a platoon in Iraq. The idea stemmed from a family acquaintance of one of the members. When other members became interested in sending packages to specific people they knew, the house decided that it would be most beneficial to raise funds jointly with ATO.

Efforts to raise money began during Homecoming week, as empty cans and donations were collected from students, and from anyone at the Homecoming football game Oct. 23. A table was set up for donations at the ATO house after the game for alumni and family to donate, and a table was also set up in the Kellogg Center Oct. 26-29 for student donations. Although last Monday was the last day to donate, student organizers said that student participation exceeded their expectations.

“Involvement has been pretty consistent,” said Jill Cothery, Commerce senior and a member of KAO. “We have had a lot of volunteering from both houses and from students.”

According to Cook, $425 in donations had been raised as of Nov. 2, not including the money from returned cans and the donations that both houses are expected to give.

Cook’s sister-in-law bought the items for the care packages and sent them from her home in Germany, where Cook’s brother is stationed. Items such as DVD’s, CD’s, microwave popcorn, magazines and batteries were included in the packages, along with personalized cards.

“A lot of the soldiers in my brother’s troop are best friends of the family, and I know that this will mean a lot to them,” Cook said.

While this program has spurred a patriotic spirit in students, such efforts are also positive reflections to the Albion community about student involvement.

“They [the soldiers] are over there fighting, risking their lives for our country, and we are over here in college having fun,” Cothery said. “This is the least that we could do to show our appreciation for their contributions.”

Due to the positive response the program has received, Cook said that he is planning on continuing to help the same platoon with another similar program. When the platoon returns home from their station in Schweinfurt, Germany after their deployment, he plans to send care packages and “welcome home” cards so that they won’t have to return to empty houses.

“I want them to know that they always have support from home,” Cook said.