Chamber solicits businesses' help for soldiers

Ed Hobgood, a family assistance coordinator for the 1221st Transportation Company in Dexter, knows the drill.

It's been Hobgood's job to watch after families of the 1221st since the company left last summer for Iraq.

When guardsmen go off to serve, they leave a vacancy back home. Some of the things the families miss are irreplaceable, like hugs and kisses or some little-league pitching advice.

But some things are tangible.

"It never fails. As soon as a guardsman leaves, a hot-water heater will go out," Hobgood said.

A retired Army veteran of 22 years, Jackson Chamber of Commerce executive director Ken Parrett knows the drill too.

That's why he and the chamber have begun efforts to solicit businesses to help the families of the 1140th Engineer Battalion cope while their loved ones serve abroad.

The Jackson chamber is encouraging the business community to offer services or products at discount rates to the families of the 1140th.

The 1140th -- which has armories in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Sikeston, Fredericktown, Farmington, Portageville and Charleston -- will be mobilized on Jan. 3.

Parrett said there will likely be major interest for plumbing, handyman and automotive services while the troops are gone.

Four businesses and one church have shown interest, including Abundant Life Church, which is supplying some handymen from its congregation, and the Bank of Missouri, which is offering a safety deposit box at no charge to families for a year.

John Miller is serving in the family assistance coordinator role in the Cape Girardeau area.

He has been busy getting support groups and ceremonies organized; and getting families outfitted with identification cards for medical purposes.

If a family of the 1140th is in need of a particular service or item, it can contact Miller at the armory. Miller will then contact the chamber.

Businesses that are interested in donating services or products can contact the chamber at 243-8131.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635