Pig Roast in Boca will raise cash to send items to troops

By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR

Gathering dust in a large warehouse not far away are hundreds, maybe thousands of pairs of socks.

By right, they should be on the feet of American troops serving overseas.  But money has not been raised to cover the shipping cost.

Not, that is, until this week.  Boca Raton Elks Lodge 2166 will sponsor a pig roast Saturday, May 17, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Elks Hall, 1395 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton.

“The proceeds are for the mailing of much-needed items to our servicemen and women in Iraq,” Elks member Mary Knebel told the Boca Raton News. “We are working with District Commander Jesus Pintos to collect items.”

“Commander Pintos has a warehouse full,” she said, “but no money to ship.”

Elks Lodge 2166 has been there before. “In the past, we have packed and shipped 50 boxes of donated items,” Knebel said. “Each pair of socks – more than 1,000 – had a letter or not inside – notes and drawings by local children in grades 1 through 12. They brought tears to our eyes.”

Socks, she said, are important to the soldiers serving in the hot, desert climate.  “They have to change socks and underwear several times a day,” she said.  So underwear and socks top the list of items heading for the Middle East, along with eye drops, foot powder and flea repellant.  She said fleas “are a big problem.”

The Elks work in conjunction with other organizations to help the troops.  A Christmas in July dinner dance last year “brought in toys for the children in Iraq and Afghanistan,” she said.  “Dr. [J. Robert] Gordon of Orphans of war was instrumental in getting Tyco Company to donate 100,000 Beanie Babies.  We contacted eight 18-wheelers and 22 Marines to pack the Beanie Babies.”

The pig roast may be the center of attention at Saturday’s event, but other activities are also planned.  A Marine color guard will be present.  There will also be a box for letters and notes from people stateside telling the soldiers how proud they are of them.

Fifteen young Marines will be on hand to explain the detriments of drug addiction and how to beat it.

Clowns, music and games for children and adults are also on the agenda.

Tickets are available from Elks members or at the Lodge, or by calling 561-443-3306. The cost is $20 per person, or $10 for children age 5 to 12.  Children under age 5 eat free.

In addition to the roasted pig, the menu includes sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn on the cob, salad, cole slaw, baked beans, hot dogs and hamburgers.