CULLMAN – After a soldier stationed in Kuwait posted a request on a Florida rock-painting Facebook page for colorful rocks to brighten up his very brown Middle East base, the post began circulating until it found its way here. Area groups from Hanceville to Arab expressed interest and began making plans to help. Kristi Conard, along with other adult and kid volunteers from CullmanCityRocks, and Saving Forgotten Warriors (SFW), took up the cause here. On Friday, their joint rock and seashell collection was packaged and shipped to its new home overseas. Volunteers included personal notes of encouragement to the soldiers, boxed up with the rocks.
SFW’s Tiffany Todd Aldridge posted to Facebook Wednesday evening, “We are hard at work painting SFW shells to send overseas to a base for our heroes who have requested some rocks or shells to place in their rock garden. Since all they see is brown. We hope this brightens their day, and pray for all our men and women in uniform to come home safe and know they have our support!”
On Friday, Conard notified The Tribune:
“Hi, CullmanCityRocks are heading to post office! This project has been my favorite so far. It's so awesome that something as simple as a painted rock can brighten a soldier’s day. A little piece of our town is headed to Kuwait to spread kindness. Knowing these men and women are away from their own families and fighting to protect mine makes me want to help in any way I can. I am very proud of my group and all the families that took time to help me with this.”
Also on Friday, Conard posted a note of thanks to her volunteers “So proud of this group and our joint efforts on this. I also included all the comments y'all posted for these soldiers. Thankyou! We also had a member pay for the shipping and that was very appreciated Shirley Atkins Arnett. Again, thank you to Lisa Williams, Brandy Berry, Kara Marie DeRosa, Tiffany Todd Aldridge for the shells from your Saving Forgotten Warriors group, Taylor Chaney, Cassy Calloway, Alecia Kitchens, Chelsey LeeAnn Carman, Terry Kinderman Preston!! You all rock!!”
Said Conard, “It's been my pleasure to work on this project and we look forward to many more community-based rock projects in the future.”
Contact CullmanCityRocks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/396084707451164.
Visit veteran support organization Saving Forgotten Warriors at www.savingforgottenwarriors.org.
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