Cheshire County

Supplies Sought For Children’s Packages

Published: Wednesday, November 11, 2009

A local group working to provide supplies to children whose parents are deployed with the military is seeking help from the community.

The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is taking part in Operation: Military Kids, a project that gives children backpacks with supplies to help them stay connected with their parents during deployment.

Over the last year, 4-H clubs in Cheshire County have been assembling these backpacks, and the organization distributed 150 packs to children across the state.

But with deployments expected to ramp up over the next year, an estimated 2,500 backpacks will be needed, according to officials from the cooperative extension. The Cheshire County group, which provides the backpacks, has set a goal of assembling 100 packs.

Community members may help by donating supplies (see list below), setting up donation boxes at local businesses or giving gift cards or money so members of the organization can purchase needed supplies.

Donations will be accepted at the Cheshire County Cooperative Extension office from Dec. 1 to 14, when the packs will be put together.

Correspondence supplies needed for the packs include disposable cameras, international calling cards, photo albums, scrapbooks, journals, pens, stationery and postage stamps. Packs also include items such as Frisbees, art supplies, children’s books, movie coupons, stickers, stuffed animals and games.

The packs include handwritten appreciation letters from non-military children to those whose family member is deployed.

For information, visit www.nhomk.com or call UNH Cheshire County Cooperative Extension at 352-4550.

“Working Together to Support Military Kids and their Families”

What is Operation: Military Kids (OMK)?

When National Guard, Reserve, and other military families living in civilian communities become mobilized, their children experience the stress of being a military kid.  These children have unique needs for special support and services, even though they still “look the same” to their friends and community. The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension  4-H Youth Development program partners with all branches of the military, American Legion, Red Cross, schools, Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team, the spiritual community, community recreation centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, and other youth and family organizations to form the outreach effort called Operation: Military Kids (OMK). This program functions in all 50 states across the country, including NH.

For more information about this program and ways to get involved, click here.

Western Conifer Seed Bug

The Western Conifer Seed Bug (WCSB) is an intimidating-looking insect that moves into homes in late fall to take shelter. Although it does not bite or sting, as a member of the stink bug family, it often releases an offensive odor when handled — part of the insect’s defensive strategy. In flight, the adults make a buzzing sound like a bumblebee.

Description and Life Cycle
The adult WCSB is a dull brownish color, about ¾-inch long, with a flattened leaf-like expansion on the hind legs and a faint white zigzag stripe pattern across the midpoint of its upper surface. When an adult insect takes flight, it lifts its wings to reveal bright yellow-orange areas on its back.

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