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A Ministry of Cedar Park Assembly of God

Thank You To Our Wonderful 2009 Donors

We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of the following companies, organizations and individuals:

  • NW Web Ministry (Web Hosting and helping with Web Maintenance in honor of all his Family member who has and still serving in Arm Forces)
  • To Northwest University..administration and students..you are the best in the USA! By giving us the use of the chapel, you have given us a home. Your enthusiastic student body continue to amaze us with their energy and heart for this project. We can’t thank you enough. We couldn’t do it without you, Pastor Phil and students.
  • A special thanks goes to Cedar Park Assembly of God and Pastor Joe Fuiten who have once again given us our nonprofit status. Joe was very instrumental in assisting Ruth Ann in helping launch Operation Iraq 7 years ago and has continued to offer his support each year. A big hug goes to the staff and congregation for all of their volunteer efforts in making sure that we continue sending as many packages as possible to the front line. Your support is invaluable.
  • Principal Susan Zersky of Cedar Park Christian has made and extraordinary effort in committing to supply us with our first 2000 pieces of artwork for our Christmas packages for Operation Iraq 2009. We once again thank Cedar Park Christian School for all of their support. Collecting needed items in each classroom and making special artwork adds so much to the quality of our Christmas boxes. You have been with us from the beginning and we love you.
  • We thank Mary Jo Bader for her monetary donation as well as skilled accounting at Cedar Park Assembly of God. She has managed the contributions for Operation Iraq for several years now and continues to make this ministry 100% volunteered with no administrative fees or overhead ever being charged.
  • We would like to welcome back to Operation Iraq: The Spirit of Christmas, Roxetta Groenen. It is a real pleasure and privilege to have her in the ranks for 6 out of the 7 years that we have packed for our troops (more about Roxetta can be found in “Good News for our Troops”).
  • MEGA Brands broke all records this year with their generous donation of pallets full of toys to promote peace on the front lines! (more about MEGA Brands donation can be found in “Good News for our Troops”).
  • Cindy Canavera, our Queen of Procurement for the past 6 out of 7 years is nothing short of amazing (more about Cindy can be found in “Good News for our Troops”).
  • We thank National Anesthesia Services Inc. out of Beverly Hills Michigan once again for their stepping up to the plate! My home state, and have been on board with us for a few years now! Your continued generous support is so appreciated, and allows us to really add some great items where needed. Please know this year our troops especially appreciate your donation… It is needed more than ever in Afghanistan, and that is where most of these Christmas Packages are headed this year! Thanks Renee’, and everyone back in Michigan! You rock!
  • We would like to thank the Northwest Chapter Professional Loadmaster Ass. for their monetary donation this year! Vic Fredlund, Bill Cannon, Walt Baade, Norm Keppler, Joe Casteneda, Bob Viguers, Harold Simpson, Ron Campeau Sr., Harry Brown, Ron Pierce, Fred Vailancourt, Harold Edvalds, Del Keefauver, George Radovich, Wally Johnson! Gentlemen thank you so much for your generous support. On behalf of all the troops on the front lines a sincere “thanks”, our Christmas packages will be that much better this year! Please read more about them on the “good news corner”.
  • We thank Michael Thompson for supplying us with the paper for our 8,000 Christmas Card to the troops that will be used for printing. Michael has been with Operation Iraq for a number of years now,and we appreciate his continued efforts in this area.
  • We would like to thank the Harvey’s from Woodinville, (here in Bear Creek), for their generous monetary donation this year for the troops. This certainly will help us make our Christmas packages even better! On behalf of our friends on the front lines “thank you so much”.
  • Just wanted to take a moment and tell everyone that we are so pleased to have Cheri Brennan of Alliance Communications in Bellevue on board this year. We met today and she has offered to do a news release for our Operation Iraq! Cheri was very active the first two years we sent our Christmas packages, and was very instrumental in really getting the word out across the state and actually the Pacific Northwest! She Rocks! And we are so happy to have her on board once again.
  • Thank you to my wonderful Aunt Mary Ann Stephens back home in Michigan. She and Uncle Harland’s monetary donation will no doubt help us send a few more of our great packages to the front lines this Christmas.A hug from all the volunteers here in Washington State and the troops so far from home!
  • It is great to once again have the support from Bill and Helen Meany. They have been involved in most aspects of Operation Iraq since day one seven years ago. Early on when we packed in the little Christmas Shop in Kirkland they came and packed hundreds of Christmas packages themselves…Their monetary donation is appreciated this year. On behalf of our military “thank you”, so much our Kiwanis friends.
  • Thanks to the great gang at Starbuck’s in Factoria! They are working up a storm collecting the newest item Starbuck’s has added for their customers… The individual instant coffee single packets! Everyone is excited about buying one and donating one for “our men and women” on the front lines this Christmas. Thanks to everyone, your efforts will be so appreciated for sure! They will love their coffee!
  • We would like to say a special thanks to Julie Pederson for all the time she has spent talking to businesses and placing our Christmas boxes throughout the Kirkland Downtown area these last few weeks. Is has been great having her on board this year, and doing such a wonderful job with that aspect of our Operation Iraq 2009. It is people like Julie that continue to keep this wheel turning for our troops!!! Thank you Julie, you rock!
  • All the volunteers from Operation Iraq would like to thank the Kirkland Reporter for their continued support this year! You have always been there, and from the beginning you provided a helping hand for “Our Real American Heroes”. On behalf of all the men and women that are on the front lines this year “thank you so much”.
  • Thank you John and Mary Robinson of California, we appreciate your monetary donation for our military men and women this Christmas. It is great having you on board this year again, and know we miss you here at home packing with us. We shared some great times that first year in the little Christmas Shop in Kirkland….!
  • Thanks so much to Sandra Tomasi located here in the area. On behalf of the troops on the front lines we appreciate your generosity. Your monetary donation will certainly assist us in packing these special Christmas parcels a little bit fuller… We could not do this without everyone jumping on board the way you have…
  • Ellie Revert of The United Pilot Wives we thank you so much for your wonderful and generous donation. With your support this year we will certainly be that much closer to meeting our goal of 8,000 Christmas Packages to our military on the front lines. It is people like you on the home front that keeps these wheels turning for our troops!
  • Mr. G. Stucky all the way from Kansas we thank you so much for your contribution this year towards making these the best packages yet. From all the volunteers here in Washington packing these special Christmas boxes for our troops we appreciate your support. It is always nice getting support from various places across the U.S.A.
  • A heartfelt thanks to Linda Phillips from our community… Your generous monetary gift will allow us to get some of the needed items purchased so these can be the best yet from the Northwest. Welcome to the ranks here at home my friend, as you know this could not happen without people like yourself lending a helping hand …
  • Thanks Rosann O’Reilly for helping us kick it in for our “Troops” this year. Everyone here at Operation Iraq appreciates your generous monetary donation this year. With it we will purchase some of the items needed to make these really nice individual Christmas packages for our men and women so far from home…Your support will make a difference for sure.
  • Thank you Linda Welshons, located right here on the eastside. Your monetary gift for “Our Real American Heroes” on the front lines this year will help so much… We will pack some of the needed items with this donation, and know these Christmas packages will be that much better because of your kindness … We appreciate that you included support for our military over this holiday season.
  • Cindy Bonner your thoughtfulness is really appreciated this year. This generous monetary donation will help us pack some even better Christmas packages for the front lines. You rock! And everyone here at Operation Iraq says Thanks! We could never touch so many hearts of our men and women so far from home over the holidays without the patriotic people like yourself right here at home…
  • We would like to thank Sally Peterson for her generous monetary donation once again for Operation Iraq. Neighbor and friend, Sally has been a strong supporter in so many ways throughout our years. From opening up her garage to our neighborhood to accept donations, to writing the very important thank you notes to everyone. We thank her so much for all she does for our troops on the front lines…
  • Clarence and Lavonne Schott we also thank you for the wonderful donation this year for the military men and women so far from home the Christmas season. It is your generosity that continues to keep this organization sending out the best Christmas packages each and every year… We could not do it without you.
  • Kiwanis member Janet McCoy…we thank you so much for your monetary donation for our military in Afghanistan this year. Together we are going to touch their hearts this Christmas, and they will know how much you and everyone back home appreciates all they continue to give us. Your support is vital to making that happen. Thank you!
  • The Richard and Judie Hansen family have also chosen to support our men and women on the front lines this Christmas. We thank you so much for your generous monetary donation. It is what makes these special packages even better each year we continue to send some heartfelt “thanks” from home.. You are a part of making sure they understand how precious our freedom truly is each and every day…
  • Hey neighbors Leslie and John McKnight, thanks so much for your support again this year! You guys are awesome, and on the front lines this Christmas your monetary donation will make a difference. There will be a few more items added to make them extra nice from home.. Thanks again, and know all the volunteers at Operation Iraq appreciate your stepping up again.
  • Robin and Nancy Horrell we thank you so much for your monetary donation for the troops. Your gift this Christmas will allow us to send a few more to the front lines in Afghanistan for sure. On behalf of the military we thank you so much for thinking about them this year, and sending these heartfelt packages…
  • When the printer that Operation Iraq uses to print letters, last minutes flyers and such stopped functioning properly, Dave Cornelison, President of Target: Service & Supply, answered the call for help. Not only did he pick the printer up himself, (on a days notice!), but repaired it immediately. Knowing what the printer was being used for, Dave wouldn’t accept a penny for his time or the materials he used in repairing the printer. Thanks, Dave!
  • When the call went out that Operation Iraq: The Spirit of Christmas was in need of storage containers, Door to Door Storage Inc., answered the call the very next day! They graciously donated 4 storage containers. Upon delivering the containers, Ethan Caunt, Marketing Analyst and Evan Soderquist, Assistant Branch Manager, saw the containers immediately being “hand-loaded” by Operation Iraq volunteers. Instead of leaving, Ethan rolled up his sleeves and helped load the containers until they were full. Evan, used his forklift masterfully to move heavy pallets of donated items from one location to another, and in so doing, allowed Operation Iraq to make the most of the very limited warehousing and storage space that they have to work with. It was clear that Ethan and Evan had their hearts in their work and were going to do whatever they could to help in getting these needed items to our troops. Talk about going beyond the call of duty! Thanks Door to Door.
  • Our Christmas card for the front lines was just completed last week by Deb and Ken Rice of Direct Mailing Solutions here in Kirkland. They did a great job and I feel blessed to have been given one of their best designers (Julie, who truly understands the sacrifices our vets make, being a daughter of one). This 2009 Christmas card has just gone to print, and we should have them by the end of this week… A Christmas tree in an indoor Northwest rustic setting with a cozy fireplace burning seemed appropriate for this years card for our heroes. The flags were placed perfectly throughout this special tree and added the”Patriotism” we all feel here at home. She worked hard on this. Her efforts, with Ken and Deb’s generousity will be appreciated in Afghanistan for sure in December. Direct Mailing solutions has really provided us with such a generous donation this year that will be placed in each and every box to the front lines….On behalf of all the men and women on the front lines this Christmas “THANK YOU SO MUCH”! Members of Kiwanis Kirkland, and friends of mine “Thank you so much”!
  • We thank Ann and Jeff Leichleiter for their help in collecting candy and beef jerky for the troops this year. Hot chocolate and some toiletries are also included. We appreciate Ann for also having her students create artwork of appreciation for the Christmas packages as well! These are the #1 items we place in our special parcels to the front lines, and many of our men and women carry them without their tour… Welcome on board!
  • We thank my softball friends Pat and Rich Miailovich this year for their support. The Christmas packages to the front lines will be a little better no doubt with your generous donation. See you on the ball field this spring my friends…Thanks for stepping up to the plate for the troops!
  • Julia Zuccarini, thanks for remembering our men and women in Afghanistan this year. It is nice to have you on board this year with Operation Iraq. People like you are what makes the difference! You rock! And we could not do this without you!
  • Bob and Margie McElrea…some more of my softball buddies. It is great having you with us this year my friends! Thanks for hitting the home run with this one AGAIN Bob ! (By the way he is one of the best softball players on our team!) We will see you soon I know, and behalf of all our military men and women that will receive these wonderful Christmas Packages,”Thank you”.
  • We would like to extend our thanks to Dr. Samuel Lake D.D.S. for his wonderful monetary donation this years for our troops. Operation Iraq will send some great packages because of your generosity. It is nice having you on board this year!
  • We would to give a special thanks to our wonderful local bakery located here in Redmond. Hancock’s Bakery has been a wonderful collection sight for us this year! Vicky the owner has been busy promoting our project to all her customers, and even had a number of people make monetary donations! You rock my friend! And you can bet we will enjoy some of the best pastries in the Northwest at the Northwest University on the 20th compliments of “Hancock’s Bakery” !!!
  • We have had a number of veterans that have come forward to make cash donations this year…. They do not want to be recognized, but certainly want their friends presently on the front lines in Afghanistan and Iraq to know they are very much respected and appreciated here at home … They know first hand.. “Thank you too for serving my friends… Our freedom has never been so precious”.
  • Special thanks to Lake Hills Orthodontics and Dr. Wisanu Charoenkul for his generous donation of 400 pounds of “Treats for the Troops.” Upon hearing about Operation Iraq: The Spirit of Christmas project, he decided to donate the goodies from his 2nd annual Halloween Candy Buy Back event for our gift boxes! Under that program, he invites kids to bring candy to his dental clinic in Bellevue and earn $1 for every pound of sweets they surrender!. For every dollar paid to kids for their candy, the good orthodontist donates another dollar to the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club. In another generous gesture, he is donating toothpaste samples for our troops so they can enjoy the treats and avoid tooth decay. Welcome to the Operation Iraq team, Dr. Charoenkul, and thank you for your thoughtful donations.
  • Thank you so much to our friends all the way from Clinton,TN. On behalf of all the men and women on the front lines we appreciate South Clinton Elementary adding their wonderful donation to the Christmas packages this 2009. We will look forward to receiving this beautiful artwork, and certainly will use the money to purchase some items to fill in where needed. God bless you all, and know that you have made a difference in the quality of these parcels. Things are rocking for the troops, all the way from Tennessee !!!
  • Just wanted to take a moment and say “thank you so much to Komo Television “… It was a privilege to meet with you this last Monday before “Veterans Day” . We connected again with your viewers about Operation Iraq: The Spirit of Christmas. All of you at Komo over the years have have been so supportive and understanding as to what this is all about. “Merely touching the hearts of our men and women on the front lines in Afghanistan this Christmas”.
  • It was so heartwarming and amazing to me that this little church, St. Thomas Parish, which only has about 25 members, really took our request for gloves to heart for our men and women on the front lines this year. They really stepped up by donating nearly 300 pairs of gloves, as well as 20 knit hats and 6 plastic grocery bags full of Halloween candy. These members were sending emails back and forth sharing where nice gloves could be purchased on sale, making every dollar stretch as far as possible, so they could provide as many possible. This little parish is amazing for sure, and everyone here at home appreciates all of their efforts to make these Christmas packages the best yet…. St. Thomas Parish is 165 Northwest 65th, Seattle, Washington 98117. You packed with us awhile back, and have been with us for many years now. Pascale,Father Bernie, and everyone at ST. Thomas Parish we thank you so much! The warmth of your support will be felt in Afghanistan for sure.
  • This year many schools understood how important their artwork was for our special Christmas packages to the front lines of Afghanistan. For those of you that are not familiar with the level of importance this item carries… ***Artwork from a child is the single most important #1 item that is packed! We always place it on the very top, so our military see it first when opening their individual Christmas package sent from home! ***This piece of artwork often travels throughout the entire tour with our men and women on the front lines…. Yes, it is that important!!! There have been schools that have participated and stepped up to the plate this year! Evan as far as Michigan and Tennessee! Every one of our packages to Afghanistan this year included a precious piece of artwork from a child! And we thank all of the following schools for their support in doing the best “appreciation artwork” we have ever had come in for our troops! “Have a wonderful Christmas children, and remember that you have touched the hearts of 12,213 soldiers when you wake up this Christmas morning….” The following schools listed here we thank so much for supplying us with the best artwork yet this Christmas 2009 for the front lines! You rock kids! And the troops “Thank you all” !
    Cedar Park Christian Bothell, WA
    Cedar Park Christian Everett, WA
    Cedar Park Christian Lynnwood, WA
    Cedar Park Christian Bellevue, WA
    Ben Franklin Elementary Kirkland, WA
    Chestnut Hill Elementary Bellevue, WA
    ST. Marks Elementary Lake Stevens, WA
    Wilder Elementary Woodinville, WA
    Valley Christian School Shelton, WA
    Rose Hill Junior High Kirkland, WA
    Bellevue Christian Bellevue, WA
    PeterKirk Elementary Kirkland, WA
    St Marks Mercer Island, WA
    Manor Elementary Monroe, Michigan
    South Clinton Elementary Clinton, TN
    St. Michaels Snohomish, WA
  • We would like to thank Darcie Gay for her wonderful energy and support she has brought this year for our men and women on the front lines…She joined our group and immediately stepped up and took over contacting the retirement community, and been willing to help throughout these weeks with whatever needed to be done. Thank you so much Darcie, it is great having you on board, and your genuine understanding as to what this is really all about is appreciated!
  • Darcie Cailao represented Operation Iraq regarding the contacts she personally made to our local retirement centers throughout the eastside and Seattle. The following centers responded and stepped up to the plate big time! They too wanted to let our men and women on the front lines know they appreciated all their sacrifices this Christmas season! The residents of Vineyard Park at Bothell Landing, Merrill Gardens in Kirkland, Park Shore in Seattle and Madison House in Totem Lake were instrumental in sending holiday wishes to our troops. Vineyard’s Social Director, Barbara Higgins spearheaded the effort by composing for inclusion in each card a heartfelt letter, each card was personally signed by the residents along with a short note, Jane Kaake, a resident at Vineyard included in her cards a lovely poem, in all they sent 150 cards. Jody Anderson, Activities Director at Merrill Gardens in Kirkland, was happy to assist in our efforts, residents provided cards and candy. This was the first year for Merrill Gardens in Kirkland to participate, their efforts were really appreciated. Regina Weber, Activities Director for Park Shore was happy to hear from Operation Iraq as they had helped in the past, the center provided 187 cards, each personally signed, some sharing that they or a loved one provided service to our country. Peggy Bush at Madison House in Totem Lake took charge, the residents provided candy, cocoa and apple cider for the gift boxes. Included were wonderful handmade cards and artwork from Mrs. Ford’s elementary class. . Thank you to all the centers and residents for their support of Operation Iraq; Spirit of Christmas.
  • We would like to extend a very special “Thank you” to Tim’s Cascade Snacks for their support and donations again this year! We really enjoyed having them come and join in the fun of packing for our troops on Friday night. Even though we were a bit cramped for space, (about 400-500 more than last year), and a good kind of cramped I would say), it was great finally meeting you, Ann, and everyone after all these years of having your support..We packed the best individual packages ever, and the chips will no doubt bring some joy to the taste buds of our men and women when receiving Tim’s chips on the front line Christmas morning… Thanks Jeff and Ann, you guys are the best! Let’s keep them all in our prayers these next months… Blessings to you all, and on behalf of our military in Afghanistan “thanks again” it great having you with us on the front lines here at home….
  • Manor Elementary of Monroe Michigan really stepped up to the plate! All theway from Michigan, we just received so many goodies from teacher andorganizer Angie Ashcraft. The art work and goodies they collected areabsolutely wonderful and certainly will make the Christmas packages evenbetter for those troops on the front lines in Afghanistan this year. Thankyou all back in Michigan (my home state) and mother-in-law MichelleAshcraft, your support will be felt for sure! Welcome aboard! Together weare sending the best yet!
  • We thank Michael Harrison for his generous donation. The “Enchanted Christmas” CD’S are his gift to several of the military this Christmas. These certainly will bring some real happiness for many on the front lines this season. Good stuff for sure! Thanks Michael for sharing your support with our American’s in Afghanistan and Iraq. They appreciate these special little things from home, and those lucky enough to get one of these will treasure it for a very long time…
  • Thanks to Don and Karen Gibson for stepping up to the plate this year. We are so excited to have your generous donation of money. It allowed us to fill in with items needed to make these the best Christmas packages we have ever sent!
  • Russell and Joyce Pomerinke we really appreciate your support this year! Your donation allowed some additional great things to be packed for our troops this Christmas! And we all know they deserve the best!
  • Northshore Healing Rooms also joined Operation Iraq here at home! Their donation of money will make these Christmas packages on the front lines really great! Thank you so much for remembering our troops! By everyone joining together as you and others have we will make it happen one more time!
  • We would like to thank James Woodford for his wonderful monetary donation this year for the men and women on the front lines. Your support will not doubt make a difference for sure, and allow us to include some of the additional needed items to make these Christmas boxes the best yet! You rock my friend!
  • The Kirkland Bellevue Post #99 really stepped up to the plate for our men and women so far from home this year! Their generous monetary donation will help us send some heartfelt appreciation to the front lines of Afghanistan on Christmas morning…Thank you so much for joining the ranks here at home! Together we will make a difference!
  • A big thank you to Doreen Dreeban and Econobox in Renton for donating large boxes to be used for quilts and larger toys. They responded immediately to our request and helped us to get these special, larger items packed and off to the front lines. Thank you so much for your support!!
  • We would like to thank Paula Erman (our Kiwanis member of Kirkland) for collecting some Starbucks instant coffee packets for our military. Our junior high students at Cedar Park Christian will be preparing a few Easter packages soon with teacher and (Navy officer)Scott Winters. Thanks to Paula, and our wonderful Starbucks for remembering our troops early this year. They are really going to enjoy these parcels soon. A special thanks to everyone at Cedar Park Christian for stepping up at this time for our troops on the front lines! We know they absolutely love getting these heartfelt packages from home. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Paula regarding your upcoming surgery! Our prayers are with you!
  • From the beginning we have had the support of the following people. They helped us get this wonderful event started and without their initial help we are not sure it would be here today. Thank you to the following people for their generosity:MARY ANN STEPHENS OF MICHIGAN
    PATRICK AND LINDA GAINES
    JAMES AND MARYMAE DUNCAN
    DENNIS AND KAREN VEZZETTI
  • In any endeavor there are those that step up in such a generous manner we have to acknowledge them separately. The special people below were very generous in their financial contributions this year:LAURIE MERCIER
    KAREN L. KOON
    GAIL HILL FROM AXA-ADVISORS IN BELLEVUE AND KENT WASHINGTON
  • As you know, besides our contributors that have provided the wonderful products needed to fill our gift boxes of love; many dollars were needed for ancillary items. Without the combined financial donations of the following people this endeavor might not happen. We want to acknowledge the following people for their much needed support:WARREN AND DONNA KOBELIN
    BETTY AND ROBERT HARPER
    JOSEPH AND JUDITH SCHOCKEN
    PETER AND ANN ANDERSON
    EASTSIDE TRAINS OF WA ( THEIR MONETARY DONATION, DROP OFF SITE AND DONATIONS)
    KENNETH AND JUDITH FREE
    KATHLEEN AND JON BOOTH
    ERIC AND SHANNON DARLING
    RAYMOND AND CAROLYN YERDEN
    DALE AND PATRICIA LAUER
    LANA STAR
    GEORGE HORSHAM
    KARLA LAWSON
    MELANIE RYAN
    TODD BECK
    TAMMY MCKENNEY NIKODEM
    BRENDA MACKINNON
    JULIA SCHROEDER
    TRISH RILEY
    BILL AND DIANE WEBB
    DENISE FARTHING
    BARBARA FEATHERSTONE
    THOMAS KRETT
    THOMAS AND LEONA KING
    KLK LIVING TRUST
    RONAL AND JOAN WILSON
    DANIEL AND BONNIE SULLIVAN
  • While this has been a labor of love from our home state, we have been blessed with supporters outside of Washington. Ryan Andrews from Colorado and Barbara Flaherty-Carchedi from Connecticut provided us with much needed donations this year. Thanks again
  • Sometimes the press gets acknowledged, not for the good things they do but the bad things.We want to acknowledge them for their great efforts in getting the written word out the public which supported us with their generosity. The following newspapers provided us much needed coverage! A special thank you to the following organizations along with their email address:Kirkland Courier & Reporter: email to: letters@kirklandreporter.com
    Bellevue Reporter: letters@bellevuereporter.com
    Redmond Reporter: letters@redmondreporter.com
    The Seattle Times opinion@seattletimes.com
  • WA special Thanks for Seneca Snacks and Oak Harbor Freight. Since the beginning Seneca has graciously donated the delicious Apple Chips (which have been specifically requested by our troops annually). And Oak Harbor Freight has delivered these from Yakima every year for FREE!

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