Healdsburg packs up Valentine’s treats for troops

Mary St. Clair and volunteers with Healdsburg SOS thank and comfort soldiers in Afghanistan with boxes full of really good stuff.|
CHRIS SMITH
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

It felt a bit like Christmas in Healdsburg on Thursday night.

The weather didn't have much to do with it. It was the spirit of giving that filled the gym at St. John's Catholic School.

Several dozen people, led by the tireless Mary St. Clair, filled cartons that will be Valentine's Day surprises for a company of soldiers in Afghanistan.

Great stuff went into the nearly 120 boxes: biscotti from Costeaux French bakery, knit caps by the staff and clients of the Purls of Joy shop, oatmeal cookies from Wild Sage Deli, hand-warmers from Healdsburg police and firefighters, socks, personal hygiene items, beef jerky, candy, granola and hand-written cards of gratitude.

Members of Vietnam Veterans of America chapter 223 kicked in $2,000 to help cover the cost of shipping the care packages to a 4th Infantry Division base in Afghanistan.

St. Clair began shipping packages overseas several years ago when her son, Dustin, was serving with the Army in Iraq. From that simple gesture grew Healdsburg SOS, which by now has warmed the hearts (and feet) and filled the bellies of thousands of troops far from home and in harm's way.

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