published: Friday, November 21, 2008

Touched by Angels, Family Readiness plan party for soldiers' children

Special to the News-Sun

AVON PARK - On Saturday, Dec. 6 Touched by Angels and the Family Readiness Group will put together a Christmas party for the soldiers and their families of the Bravo Battery, 3/116th FA (MLRS) National Guard unit in Avon Park.

There are approximately 45 children up to age 17 who will be in attendance.

Two years ago these soldiers had just returned from 16 months of deployment to Iraq. Since then, there have been many families who have suffered financially due to loss of wages, loss of healthcare and the effects from the failing economy.

"There are so many people who will never know what really happens when these soldiers were and are in Iraq; the mental and physical stresses can be overbearing on families. Our groups, Touched by Angels and the Family Readiness Group, feel that we owe our local soldiers a great deal due to their sacrifices over their lifetime in the military.

"When there are hurricanes, they are there to provide us with safety, food and water. They will go to the extreme to protect our country from terror. We feel it is our duty to help them out during this holiday season by providing gifts for their children during the holidays," said Debbie Wiggins, coordinator of Family Readiness Group.

To help out a local soldiers this year, drop off an unwrapped gift to the National Guard Armory on U.S. 27 South in Avon Park between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Wednesday, Nov. 26. For more information call 443-9262 or 214-6999.