Wilton Bulletin
Storage Deluxe in Wilton collecting supplies for U.S. soldiers

Oct 26, 2007

Linda Schmidt, general manager of Storage Deluxe, left, with Joe Devermann of Weston EMS and William Madaras, are collecting items to send to the troops. Items needed include everything from cookies and crackers to baby powder, foot powder, and boot inserts. %u2014Brian Shea photo

This winter, employees of Storage Deluxe at 111 Danbury Road are encouraging Wilton residents to support the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan by donating a wide variety of items at their store.

“Storage Deluxe is known for being able to collect things,” said Linda Schmidt, general manager of the store, noting that in the past the store has collected supplies for tsunami and hurricane relief.

When asked what supplies the store is looking for, Ms. Schmidt’s simple answer was “anything that’s not liquid” and a look over the list bears that out. Among the requests are playing cards, hard candy, dried cereal snacks, Advil, Neosporin, and blankets.

But beyond supplies, Ms. Schmidt said one of the most important items residents could contribute were letters or cards encouraging the troops.

“We want to let them know we’re thinking about them and care about them,” said Ms. Schmidt.

Some of the more timely items with winter coming up are disposable hand and foot warmers.

Money may also be donated, which the store will use to buy supplies.

The supplies will support the Second Brigade Combat Team of the First Infantry Division.

William Madaras, father of Pfc. Nicholas Madaras, a Wilton High School graduate who was killed in Iraq last fall, is supporting the drive. Ms. Schmidt said she hopes for Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups to get involved in the collection.

Additionally, the Weston Emergency Medical Services have adopted a medical platoon, and Joe Devermann of the Weston EMS said he hopes to take some of the supplies to send over to that group.

“I hope this turns out like the shoe collection where I wake up and there’s shoes everywhere,” said Ms. Schmidt of a previous collection.

She said in the past, Wilton residents have always been generous when it comes to helping others, and she believes this drive will be no exception.

“They all want to help and they don’t know how. There’s never been a small response,” she said.

Ms. Schmidt said the collection would run through the holidays and may go on longer if the response is good.


© Copyright 2007 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers