This month, Ross Medical Education Center in Portage, MI adopted a platoon. During the first two weeks of August, the staff, faculty, and students at the Portage campus collected five boxes filled with books, games, dry goods, and various other products to be shipped to a currently deployed platoon. Now stationed in Afghanistan, this Army platoon has been through multiple deployments. One of the soldiers, Sgt. Rob Canning, is a member of the local community and has stayed in touch with staff through Facebook as much as he is able. Canning, husband and father of two, has been deployed twice for a total of over two years. Amanda Sutherland, part of the Career Services team in Portage, said, “I graduated high school with Rob and just learned of his recent deployment. I thought it would be a great way to lift the spirits of him and his soldiers.” He and his fellow troops were very excited to receive their care packages. Upon seeing the Facebook photo of the staff and students on the campus with all the donations, Canning responded, “God has truly blessed me and my soldiers, and it shows the kindness of you and your friends.”
The donations arrived about a week after being sent, thanks to AdoptaPlatoon. This organization accepts donations and makes deliveries of food, blankets, and other items to deployed U.S. soldiers all over the world. They also offer financial support to injured troops and their families through donations. To continue their efforts, they encourage grateful citizens to contribute to the cause through one-time donations, campaign support, pen-pals, adoption, and donations to the funds for the wounded. After receiving the donations, Sgt. Rob Canning posted the photo below on Facebook with this caption: “I cannot believe the abundance of food sent by my friend Amanda Sutherland and Ross Medical Center. Five boxes in total and they were so big…It really melted my heart that they included a flyer with the picture of me and my soldiers and that so many people donated.. I believe I am set for life. Now this is happening…”
For more information on how you can help, check out their website at: http://adoptaplatoon.org/