Boxes of cheer

Halfway around the world, a soldier opens a box postmarked Bigfork, releasing the scent of fresh evergreens and revealing a bounty of goodies such as beef jerky.

“The wreaths and beef jerky, those are things that really bring them home,” Muffin Vallely said.

On Friday, Muffin and her husband, retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely, met with a platoon of helpers to pack holiday boxes destined for three units in Afghanistan. An annual project of the Scott Vallely Soldiers Memorial Fund, the operation took place at Flathead Lake lodge.

“Most of the people are from our Bible studies, the dirt bags and the dirt bag-ettes, as we are known,” Muffin said with a laugh. “We organize it just after our Bible study at the lodge. This is our 10th year.”

Work begins weeks ahead gathering all manner of useful items as well as fun snack food and gifts. Over the years, the effort has attracted several loyal donors along with about 50 volunteers.

“John Malison and his wife donate Christmas wreaths to us,” Muffin said. “He custom-makes them so they just fit on the top of each of the boxes. He will not let me pay for them. He’s just so wonderful.”

The memorial fund website, www.soldiersmemorialfund.org, has a link to the Bigfork Wreaths website with information about the couple’s wreaths, swags and centerpieces. Muffin said the soldiers always mention the smell of the wreaths along with Montana Coffee Traders freshly ground coffee.

“The troops last year sent us the nicest letters,” she said. “The guys loved the coffee. We have to get it ground because they don’t have grinders. They’re always excited to fix really good coffee.”

Another universal favorite, beef jerky, comes from the New Braunfels Smokehouse in Texas. Part-time Bigfork residents, the family that owns the company sells the product to the effort at cost and pays to ship it to Bigfork.

“The beef jerky is evidently just to die for,” Muffin said. “I have yet to try it because we always ship it off.”

Bigfork volunteer firefighters collected strings of lights and ornaments to brighten quarters at the time of year when everyone wants to be at home. For the soldiers’ limited down time, the boxes also contain DVDs, Sudoko and crossword puzzles, Pringles, microwave popcorn, hard candy and gum.

Muffin said volunteers also tucked in essentials such as insoles, dental and other hygiene products. Over the years, she has learned that the men and women go through a lot of socks and appreciate receiving the white tube athletic variety.

“Their feet get wet,” she said. “As much as they try to keep them dry and clean, sometimes it just doesn’t happen.”

Occasionally, the Vallelys receive surprise gifts for the troops such as the hand-made greeting cards and envelopes they included in the boxes this year. A young woman in Washington state sent them.

“Her husband is in the military and she sat down and made 100 cards,” Muffin said.

Other Bigfork businesses such as Flathead Bank pitch in with volunteer help and donations. Muffin said the Soldiers Memorial Fund requires cash to buy some of these products but mostly to pay the hefty shipping costs of $1,000 to $1,500 for upwards of 20 or more 14-inch by 14-inch boxes.

“We found out the hard way and now ship them priority which is why our costs are so high,” she said. “If you send them ground, they get them in two or three months and they are so battered that it’s just sad.”

Sent priority, the holiday boxes arrive in Afghanistan in 10 days to two weeks. Usually, the mass shipment goes out not long after Thanksgiving.

Muffin and Paul serve as co-trustees for the Soldiers Memorial Fund, a nonprofit organization. All donations qualify as a tax deduction.

“Cash would be great as I do offer to reimburse people when they are my shoppers and help me get things for the troops,” she said. “Most people just hand over the goods and don’t ask to be reimbursed so the cash would be for postage.”

People may donate through PayPal through the website. To sending a check, make it out to:

The Scott Vallely Soldiers Memorial Fund

c/o Flathead Bank

PO Box 308

Bigfork, MT 59911

Muffin said she sends a letter of thanks and information to document a 2012 charitable donation although it may take a few weeks due to their busy travel schedule.

“We’re a mom-and-pop organization — just the two of us,” she said. “I will always get letters out for their tax purposes. I will definitely get it to them by early January.”

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.