Baseball cap donations sought for shipment to soldiers in Iraq

Baseball cap donations
sought for shipment to soldiers in Iraq

A recent column in the Rochester daily newspaper written by Mark Hare was enormously successful in making the wish of a U.S. soldier in Iraq come true. Army Captain Anton C. Smith, who attended school in Brockport through the urban suburban transfer program and whose mother, a retired social worker living in Churchville, shared with Hare that he and fellow soldiers often play baseball to relax. He said having some jerseys and caps would make it easier to differentiate the teams and make the relaxation activity a bit more fun.

Only a short time passed before the Rochester Slo-pitch Softball Hall of Fame members donated over 1,000 baseball jerseys, and a few softballs came from one individual and hardballs from the Rochester Red Wings. Several people made monetary donations, which were helpful and needed, according to Addie Coleman of Churchville, who is working on the project through Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Rochester. She said shipping of the baseball supplies is underway and since the packages are heavy, transportation costs are high.

Coleman also said donations of caps are being accepted. Smith told Hare that suiting up to play ball would bring special significance to the games in the desert. To donate baseball caps and/or money to support the project, contact the church at 235-5967. Leave a message if there is no answer, and a church representative will quickly make contact or contact Elizabeth at Ogden Presbyterian Church, Monday, Tuesday or Thursday mornings, 352-6802.

Volunteers hope to complete the outreach effort by the second or third week of August.

Smith, who holds degrees in mechanical engineering and biology, finished medical school before returning to active duty. He is stationed in Baghdad and works as an assistant brigade surgeon and medical operations officer.