Published: January 11, 2008 09:24 pm         

Cougar Culinarians to send care packages to soldiers

Mountain State University’s Cougar Culinarians are seeking donations for care packages to send to servicemen and women who are members of the American Culinary Federation.

“It’s not enough for us to say we support the soldiers,” said chef Leonard Bailey, director of culinary arts at the National Institute for Culinary Arts at MSU. “We have to actually do something to support them.”

Bailey said there are currently five members of the West Virginia chapter of ACF serving in Iraq, one of whom is a student at MSU.

The culinarians’ goal is to gather enough supplies to create and send monthly care packages to each of those soldiers.

Bailey said it’s important for community members to show support for those who are defending their freedom.

“This is something they do for us, not just themselves,” Bailey said. “It’s up to us to support them and what they’re doing to protect our nation.

“Those of us here at home need to do our part to support them.”

Donations of toiletries such as baby wipes, soap, razors, sunscreen and laundry detergent as well as magazines books and nonperishable foods are being sought.

Also, Bailey said, the culinarians will contact local schools to ask students to submit letters of encouragement to be included in the care packages.

Bailey said positive letters will be accepted from anyone interested.

Donations can be dropped off at the National Institute of Culinary Arts at MSU at 410 Neville St. (above the MSU bookstore) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Bailey said he is also willing to pick up donations, and anyone wishing more information is asked to contact him at 929-1386.

— E-mail:

mjames@register-herald.com