Anderson woman preparing books for U.S. soldiers

BOOKS FOR SOLDIERS: Anderson resident Elizabeth Michè started volunteering last month with Books For Soldiers.

A few boxes of books, videos and snacks are already on their way to U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan, care of Elizabeth Michè, 77, of Anderson. An official volunteer with Books for Soldiers, Michè just started sending packages last month to troops she may never meet. The organization provides volunteers with names of troops and a list of what they would like sent to them.

Beyond requests for books by James Patterson and Dan Brown, Michè was shocked how basic some requests seemed. Aside from books, music and movies, soldiers requested a variety of toiletries and personal hygiene products such as razors, shaving cream and makeup.

"It's amazing the government doesn't provide these things," she said.

The reading material provides the soldiers with "something to read to get their minds off of things" between assignments, she said.

Other requests include drawings and letters from children, she said. Some soldiers have no family and never receive mail, she said. Those people, who she referred to as "forgotten soldiers," are often added to the list by their commanding officers, Michè said.

The boxes of reading material don't simply disappear after one troop reads the books, either. Books often get circulated in lending libraries where troops are stationed, she said. Also, many of the soldiers include requests of other troops stationed with them, she said.

Michè already wrote to one publisher who donated some books and to another for a discount on others. "I'm on a limited income," she said, saying she plans to send one package each week.

The boxes she sends, and each could fit a couple gallon jugs, cost her about $10 in postage, Michè said.

Money for postage and books come out of her own pocket, and she's looking for help.

Michè said anyone interested in donating items or funds for postage may contact her. She has already contacted one church group and said she hopes to hear from schools and youth groups as well.

"We could all get together and have pack days," she said.

To contact Michè about Books for Soldiers, call 365-6184 or go to the organization's Web site at www.booksforsoldiers.com.