By Eugenio Torrens
Special to The Laker/Lutz News
What started 26 months ago with three tables in a Florida Medical Clinic lobby and memos asking for donated books resulted in a $20,000 grant to send care packages to U.S. troops overseas.
Bill Cook began his used book sale in June 2009 at the suggestion of a young lady who had used books and wondered if they could help.
“From there it just boomed,” said Cook, a switchboard operator at the Zephyrhills clinic. “We have patients that come once a month, they buy books, bring them back and buy more.” After a while, Cook had to ask the clinic’s administration for bookshelves to handle the volume of used books.
Cook has funneled the money into Support the Troops, a non-profit organization started by Vietnam veteran Bob Williams.
On Aug. 10, Williams’ organization received a $20,000 grant to pay for mailing about 500 packages of daily necessities and toiletries to U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.
Williams, who served aboard the USS Independence from 1964-1967, said receiving everyday items — ranging from underwear to batteries — is a huge morale boost for the troops.
Support the Troops sends roughly 2,000 boxes of such items a month. The postage comes with a hefty price tag: $70,000 monthly.
Williams’ organization uses all monetary donations solely for postage purposes. With the economic climate shifting downward, Williams has had to pick up a larger portion of the bill.
The $20,000 will apply toward July’s postage bill. Williams said he put this month’s tab on his credit card.
“People just don’t have the money,” he said. “Times are tough, but the government could care less.”
Enter Cook and Florida Medical Clinic’s Foundation of Caring.
Jane Hughes, president of the FMC’s foundation, said the foundation has raised $1 million toward charitable causes. The clinic topped off Cook’s $16,000 with $4,000 of its own to total $20,000. Entering its sixth year, the Foundation of Caring has generated $60,000 toward Support the Troops.
Hughes, whose father was overseas for six years during World War II, is all too happy to give back.
“These people are over there, they’re keeping us safe — and they need, and they need, and they need,” she said. “To be able to say we’re sending 500 packages with this presentation alone is unbelievable.
“With Bill, this is so special because an employee has done this,” Hughes said.
Cook, who received a folded flag flown in Afghanistan and a certificate at a ceremony presenting the $20,000 check, has no plans to stop the book sale.
“It’s going to go on forever and ever,” he said. “If there’s anything else we can do for Bob, all he has to do is ask.”
To contact Support the Troops, call (800) 367-3591 or visit www.ourtroopsonline.com.
