Operation Toasty Toes-Thanks to all

Dear Patricia,

I would like to thank you all for thinking about us and spending your time making all the hats, gloves and other items for us. Something like that has a very personal touch that means much more than candy or the other items that people send.
They will be very useful for us even after returning to the US. Our unit is based in Alaska and I am used to a very active personal life, so the caps and gloves will be great.
I grew up in the Asheville/Hendersonville/Brevard area and graduated from A.C. Reynolds HS. It was a surprise to find out that both my and Maj. Taylor's parents live in Hendersonville.
Again, thank you for all the thoughts. Your generosity has really been a godsend and brought warm thoughts of home.

Sincerely,
Staff Sergeant Matthew MacRoberts
NCOIC, 20th Public Affairs Detachment
Afghanistan

Captain and Heather Boeke live with their children in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Chapter 7 received this letter. We believe the words highlighted in red describes why volunteers work across this nation for OPERATION TOASTY TOES.

Jan. 5, 2006
Dear Patricia,

Thank you for your generous gift from OPERATION TOASTY TOES. All the gifts were appreciated and we wanted to express our gratitude for thinking of us during the Holiday season. Our company, Alpha Company 391st Engineer Battalion, had a Christmas BBQ and during this party we gave out your gifts to the Soldiers of A/391. Hopefully the attached camera has many pictures of us celebrating and relaxing during our Christmas party. Your donations were well received and for many of the Soldiers it was the only gift they received this Christmas season.
The company has remained very busy through the Holiday season. We have continued to conduct manual mine clearance operations on Kandahar. First platoon is currently removing an old Soviet Mine Line and they are very happy to be working in the cool weather. Second platoon is still conducting route clearance operations; they travel in front of convoys and find mines in the road. Their mission has taken them all across the country and they enjoy the opportunity to leave Kandahar. Support platoon continues to run logistical re-supply missions and they have just traveled over 10,000 miles since entering country. The company was glad to take sometime off during the Holidays and rest for the final months of operations in Afghanistan.
I have spoken with the editor of the Alpha Company Family Support Group newsletter and she is going to do a write-up about Operation Toasty Toes and what you have done for the soldiers.
Alpha Company truly appreciates your support and if there is anything we can do in the future to repay your kindness and generosity please feel free to let us know.

Sincerely,
The Soldiers of Alpha Company 391 st Engineer Battalion
Michael Ford
A/391 En. BN
APO AE 09355