Junior Woman's Club works to support the troops
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

Photo- Marlborough Junior Woman's Club members (l to r) Jodi Schoolcraft, Diane McCurly and President Katie Robey prepare to sell "Cool Ties" to raise money to support troops SUBMITTED

Marlborough - Members of the Marlborough Junior Woman's Club (MJWC) are getting out their sewing machines to prepare for a second round of a campaign to support the troops both at home and away.

The 40-year-old club is part of the General Federation of Women's Club (GFWC) of Massachusetts, which is affiliated with the international Woman's Club organization.

The mission of entire group is to enrich the local community through volunteering in support of the arts, education, healthy lifestyles and civic involvement, while working toward peace and understanding.

As part of the GFWC of Massachusetts campaign to support U.S. soldiers, the MJWC has volunteered for three national programs: Cool Ties, Operation Quiet Comfort and Quarters for Quarters.

Cool Ties

Cool Ties are filled with polymer crystals that, after soaked in water, can be worn around the neck to lower body temperature by four degrees.

MJWC member Theresa Frias said the group members thought it would be nice to send a supply of Cool Ties to soldiers in Iraq. After pricing the pre-made ties, the members decided if they opted to make the ties, they could send far more than if they purchased them.

The group got out scissors and sewing machines and began an assembly line: cutting desert camouflage material, stuffing the fabric with polymer crystals and sewing.

Members then sold the ties at the Memorial Day parade for $3, which was enough money to make two ties. The purchaser of the tie would then become a personal sponsor of a tie that was sent to a soldier in Iraq.

Frias explained that each tie was shipped with an instruction card and the name of the person who sponsored it. She said that she felt it was a more personal touch and that the soldier would know someone is thinking of him or her.

The group made 100 ties that have been shipped out over the summer.

"Each time I started to get frustrated with the sewing machine and hot while in the house working on the ties," MJWC member Diane Mc- Curly said, "I would remind myself who they were for and that the soldiers couldn't cool off and take a break, so I just kept working."

Operation Quiet Front

Operation Quiet Front is a Michigan-based volunteer program that has no political association with the war, but has a mission to supply injured soldiers with comforts like a "Freedom Gratitude Quilt," along with personal care and entertainment items.

The MJWC collected 35 used pairs of jeans and cut them into quilt squares, which were then signed by members of the community at the Memorial Day parade. The group used the squares to make quilts for wounded soldiers.

Quarters for Quarters

The MJWC is also involved in the Quarters for Quarters campaign, a statewide program, Frias said. Members donate quarters that they have collected to raise $2,500 to house returning soldiers who need assistance. Soldiers can stay in Leads House in Worcester.

The MJWC is presently preparing for a workshop to begin making more cool ties that will be available for purchase at the Heritage Fair Sunday Sept 30. Frias said the group hopes to fund 200 ties this fall. At the fair, the group will also collect Quarters for Quarters.

For more information about the MJWC or how to help with some of the programs, visit the Web site at www. marlborough.