— Owners Hopeful that Involvement Will Encourage Others —
SYKESVILLE, MD – December 20, 2004 – Several employees at S&K Roofing, Siding and Windows (www.SKRoofing.com) spent much of the day on Friday, December 10, 2004, preparing packages for soldiers serving in Iraq as a part of the “My Soldier” program started at Manhattanville College.
S&K’s Vice President, Maija Kropp, learned about the program on Fox News, and immediately jumped on-line for more information. “The brave men and women in Iraq are in our thoughts each and every day. When we heard about the My Soldier program, we didn’t hesitate in finding out what was needed and getting it out,” said Kropp. “We wanted them to know how much we respect and admire their service to our country.” S&K hopes that by getting employees involved and by bringing the company’s participation to the community’s attention, they can encourage others to become involved in the program as well.
The My Soldier program was created by Manhattanville College student and active U.S. Army Sergeant Juan Salas. Salas, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Venezuela, served in Iraq, where he saw active combat duty and was commended for his part in saving the life of a child. For Salas, now back in the states and attending college classes, the program is a way to give something back to his fellow soldiers still fighting in Iraq. At the program’s launch, Salas spoke about his own experience in Iraq. “I was there for 14 months. It was long. But the thing that kept me going was getting letters – from kids, boy scouts, students. A letter was like a piece of gold. Something you will keep for the rest of your life.”
When signing up for the program, a soldier or group of soldiers is randomly selected by program coordinators. Information about the soldier(s) is sent to you, as well as a “starter kit” containing a red My Soldier bracelet to publicly show support for American troops, and guidelines for writing letters to deployed United States Armed Servicepersons.
Items collected by S&K for their adopted soldier included playing cards, DVD’s, toiletries, glow sticks, pens, paper and stamped envelopes, granola bars, socks, lip balm and other personal items. The team at S&K packed at total of 6 boxes, and wrote heart-felt letters to put in each one.
About S&K Roofing, Siding and Windows
S&K Roofing, Siding, and Windows is Maryland’s trusted leader in roofing and maintenance-free home exteriors. Family-owned and operated since 1980, S&K provides high-quality exterior home workmanship and customer service that is among the best in the industry. Maintenance-free home exterior services include roofing, siding, windows, doors, gutters and downspouts, custom trim/wrap, decks, and additions. Contact by phone at: 866-836-ROOF, by email at: info@SKRoofing.com, or learn more at www.SKRoofing.com. MHIC# 21080.