Moorhead, MN, December 22, 2006------Moorhead, MN December 22, 2006 – 3 Local businesses and 1 former local athlete turns one man’s small request for our troops, into a huge Glorious Christmas Mission. Guy Huus, President and Owner of Dakota Natural Foods Inc. Mike Holper, Chief Operating Officer at Barrel of Fun, Ken Nelson, Owner of Kenny’s Licorice, and Darin Erstad of the Los Angeles Angels all made possible one small request to support our troops from the 34th infantry division in Iraq for Christmas.
Randy L. Thorsvig of Glyndon, MN made a simply yet wonderful request on his website http://americanpugilistcitizen.squarespace.com/ December 8th to help make our local troops in Iraq have a little better than normal Christmas, by requesting to the public that we send something, anything, over to show our love and support for our troops in Iraq during the Christmas season. Then with direction and help from MAJ Shannon Mortenson of the 34th BCT Liaisons Office National Guard Bureau, Washington DC who gave some ideas that may be of interest for the troops with one standing out, sunflower seeds. With that Randy called the first company the popped into his head, Dakota Kid Sunflower Seeds, after speaking with Guy Huus who was very eager and happy to help out with enough bags of sunflowers to cover 5000 soldiers. After that, Guy was able to get Mike Holper to eagerly help out as well with enough chips and snacks from Barrel of Fun Snacks and Kenny’s Licorice to also cover 5000 soldiers. The final effort was made by Darin Erstad of the Los Angeles Angels who matched it by donating $14000.00 which will make the shipping of this large and generous contribution possible and with it made this all come together.
Darin and his wife Jessica also said in a statement, “Jessica and I are honored to team up with Dakota Kid, Barrel of Fun, and Kenny’s Licorice in their efforts to send our local troops a care package this holiday season. Happy New Year to all of you!” With this small request becoming so large it is now a shipment that will made in time for the NFL playoffs and Superbowl for the troops to enjoy, and what is better than seeds, chips, snacks, and candy when watching football. January 8th is the date tentatively set for the delivery to go out from the Moorhead Armory with family, friends, and volunteers helping prior to that date setting up 9 caches to be created and delivered to units in support of the 1st Brigade combat team of the 34th infantry division who are currently operating in Iraq. Soldiers in this brigade are primarily from MN, IA, and NE with other teams/units/soldiers from KY, ND, SD, and WI. After speaking with SFC Stuart Hoganson Battalion logistics NCO in theater, he was very happy to here of the efforts made by Randy and these 3 local company’s along with Darin Erstad , and that this has been well received by the National Guard Bureau in Washington DC, and the leadership at the Minnesota National Guard level, he reiterated that knowing the Christmas spirit was behind this and the intent for delivery to be for Christmas and knowing the size and logistics of it said that the surprise for the troops will still have a very large impact of support with the arrival in time for the Superbowl. The generous contributions and grand efforts made by Guy Huus, Mike Holper, Ken Nelson, Darin Erstad, and Randy Thorsvig’s request along with MAJ Mortenson’s guidance, shows the Christmas Spirit and wonderful support for our troops this time of year. Please continue to show your support of our troops and support these wonderful company’s.
CONTACT: MAJ Shannon Mortenson 703-258-2420 Or Randy Thorsvig – 218-329-8691 |
