Calvary Chapel Greeneville in the News ~

Boxed Items Sent to Troops in Iraq
The Greeneville Sun, April 1, 2009

Some U.S. troops serving in Iraq will find their time there a little easier soon thanks to the efforts of over 60 volunteers and six area businesses that donated and collected a variety of items to be sent to the soldiers.

Organizer John Penton, of Calvary Chapel Greeneville, on Friday mailed 64 boxes containing the donated items to soldiers stationed in Iraq that had requested personal hygiene products, T-shirts, cards of encouragement, snacks and other items.

The church selected the fortunate troops at random from a list of over 3,000 men and women from all five branches of the U.S. military who posted their emailed requests and mailing addresses on the Web site AnySoldier.com.

"We hope our small effort will inspire other churches and individuals in this area to support our troops in tangible ways," said Penton on Friday.

Seeks To Raise Morale

He said he was inspired to undertake the effort after his son, John M. Penton, a Greeneville native and Marine stationed in Iraq, reported low morale among fellow soldiers in his company who weren't receiving any mail from the United States.

The several weeks-long effort led by Penton and others at Calvary Chapel Greeneville was highlighted by a "Freedom and Worship" concert in July at the Capitol Theater to raise awareness of the donations project.

Thirty-six members of the Denton Bible Church youth choir from Denton, Texas, performed at the July 11 concert after fanning out earlier in the day across Greeneville to collect donations at Big Lots, K-Mart, Ingles Markets on 11-E, and Calvary Chapel Greeneville.

Over $200 was collected that day, which covered part of Friday's postage bill of $572. Calvary Chapel Greeneville paid the remaining part of the mailing cost.

Over the last two months, the church has been a drop-off point for people in the area who have left toiletries and other items for American troops serving in Iraq.

The Lighthouse Assembly of God prayer team supplied small American flag prayer cloths for each box shipped Friday that they first prayed over before packing.

Aus-Tex Manufacturing Co. donated many of their popular T-shirts with the slogan on the front, "I Believe".

Hammons Hometown Vending was a major supplier of donated toiletry items. Food City on Tusculum Boulevard also donated toiletries.

Items Still Being Collected

Calvary Chapel Greeneville continues to be a drop-off point for donations for future shipments, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8 - noon. It is located at 1217 Snapps Ferry Road. Its phone number is 636-2607. The church requests it be phoned beforehand to be sure it is open to receive a donation. It can also be contacted by email at ccgv2@earthlink.net.

Penton said plain green T-shirts, size large or extra large, and sunglasses are popularly requested items by troops in Iraq.

He also said the church welcomes monetary donations to offset shipping costs, as well as cards with personal encouraging messages.

Penton also asked interested people to supply names of friends or relatives of theirs stationed in Iraq to put on Calvary Chapel Greeneville's prayer list.

Reprinted from the The Greeneville Sun