Brian Clum knows the feeling of being deployed away from home during and after the Christmas holidays. 

“I’ve been deployed twice. I know what it’s like after the holidays. It’s a long period,” said Clum. “I want soldiers to know that they are thought of and appreciated.”

As a retired 31-year armed services veteran, the owner of 3 Brothers Family Pizza decided to do something about it.

This winter he and his wife, Kelly, started an organization called Friends of 1-145 AR RGT (EIN 84-3584886).

That’s a long title that translates in support of their son’s  (Corp. Matthew Clum, Ada HS graduate) battalion currently deployed overseas.

“Our goal is to support the soldiers in this regiment by sending care packages throughout the duration of their deployment during 2020,” he said. 

The first packages will go out very soon.

“We teamed up with the Ada VFW Post 9381 and last weekend they hosted a sold-out benefit dinner to support our project,” Clum added.

Here’s how Icon viewers can participate as additional “friends.”

“We are collecting items to send to the battalion,” he said. “Items can be dropped off at 3 Brothers Family Pizza, 105 S. Main Street.”

In addition, monetary donations for postage is accepted at Liberty National Bank and at 3 Brothers Family Pizza. 

“You may also offer prayers for a safe return for the soldiers of the regiment,” Clum said.

Clum said that already several Ada businesses and individuals have supported the project. These include, but are not limited to, Wilson’s, who donated footballs, Liberty National Bank, Ada VFW, Ada VFW Auxiliary, Ada Lions and Mayor David Retterer.

Here’s a list of items that can be donated as care package items:

Food
Beef jerky/Slim Jims
Fruit snacks, nuts, trail mix
Granola/cereal bars, protein bars
Noodle cups
Tuna/chicken pouches
Jiff to go
Single serve drink mix packets

Personal care
Baby powder
Baby wipes
Chewable Pepto
Cough drops
Chapstick
Deodorant
Toothpaste/dental floss
Individual wrapped toothbrushes
Disposable razors
Q-tips
Body wash/shampoo
Travel-sized tissues
Tums
Foot powder
Moisturizing eye drops
Moleskin/Molefoam (Dr. Scholl’s foot padding)

Miscellaneous
Playing cards
Uno
Multi-vitamins
Sewing kits
Puzzle books