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M/SUNNY Temp: 48 °F Wind: N at 3 mph Monday, April 14, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 15, 2003 Couple gather care packages for troops Long hours in dangerous conditions give little free time to National Guard medevac personnel at Camp Doha, Kuwait, but a couple from Jacksonville is working overtime to send the soldiers some appreciation and entertainment. Jeff and Penelope Levin, owners of MacLevin’s Restaurant in Jacksonville, are coordinating an effort with volunteers and distributors to send care packages to those in the National Guard 1042 Medevac Coyotes who are currently serving in the Middle East. "I don’t know what to do when people are away —except make them feel better," said Penelope. The couple contacted stores and organizations in the Rogue Valley asking for donations of sporting goods and other supplies to send, including everything from popcorn and CDs to golf balls. Jeff Levin said they are accepting donations at the restaurant and encourage citizens and corporations to take part. "This is something heartfelt for the people in harm’s way," he said. The 1042 medical company (air ambulance) includes 108 people from Oregon. Currently in Kuwait, the company runs three to four missions a day, evacuating and treating foreign citizens and injured special operations soldiers. The company also treated landmine victims from mines left over in Afghanistan from the 1980s. According to Kay Fristad, deputy public affairs officer of the Oregon National Guard, the 1042 company was scheduled to return to the United States at the end of February, but because of the significance of their work, were asked to remain. Jeff Levin says this initiative is just "the tip of the spear" of how the couple envision the initiative to grow. Drop-off donations will be accepted at MacLevin’s Restaurant, 150 W. California St., Jacksonville. For more information, call 899-1251. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S