Woman tries to give soldiers a piece of home

Sandy Madaffer is on a special mission this season to bring some holiday cheer to troops overseas.

She is collecting sheets sets, microwaveable popcorn, beef jerky and playing cards for soldiers who are yearning for a piece of home while at war.

“This will make it feel more like home and will make things much more comfortable for the soldiers,” Madaffer said.

Madaffer started collecting sheet sets more than six weeks ago and created “The Sheets Brigade” to get the word out about her efforts.

“I've been doing it all by word of mouth and hoping everybody helps as much as they can,” said Madaffer, of Bonita Springs.
“Soldiers are given sleeping bags but those aren't the most comfortable things to sleep on … you see the pictures and just have to help.”

As a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Bonita Springs, Madaffer is making it easy for interested donors by having them drop off items at her home.

Madaffer has collected more than 30 sheet sets.

“The sheets can have anything on them … Nascar or X-Men and then for fun they will argue about who got what,” said Madaffer, who has received two dozen flying discs and other items from local businesses. “They will take anything they can get but it's those hard candies and cards that they really want.”

This is the first Madaffer has collected for the soldiers and will send her first shipment on Jan. 1.

“The shipping isn’t cheap but I’ll send stuff as long as I get it,” said Madaffer, who is also collecting toiletry items. “This shows them that we care and it lets them know that we are thinking of them.”