Operation Paperback aims to help entertain troops, combat boredom

Troops overseas are entrenched in a foreign land thousands of miles from home with only the most basic necessities and limited ways to occupy their downtime. \nTo help boost the morale of troops fighting overseas in areas like Iraq and Afghanistan, the Air Force ROTC is running a book drive to provide servicemen and women with reading material to keep them entertained during their moments away from battle.\n"This event was done to basically do something for those who are doing a very important thing for us overseas," said Air Force ROTC Cadet Rebecca Burkey. "I feel that this book drive was a noble cause because while collecting books may not seem like much, the troops overseas do not think so."\nWorking through a parent organization called Operation Paperback, the project is run by Arnold Air Society, a service-oriented organization composed of Air Force ROTC cadets. Operation Paperback is a nonprofit national program that sends gently used books to American troops deployed overseas. \n"We organized a day which people could visit us at our ROTC building and make donations," said Air Force ROTC Cadet Samantha Schinder. "Also we put several collection boxes around the community."\nSo far the cadets already have collected more than 30 books, but the drive is ongoing, and they hope to receive many more. \nFor those wishing to contribute to the drive, drop-boxes are located at the American Legion, 1800 W. Third St., the University Lutheran Church near the Indiana Memorial Union and the lobby of Foster-Harper. \n"Also, we are collecting books from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the ROTC building across from Rawles Hall on Third Street," Schinder said. "Or you can give them to any Air Force ROTC cadet."\nRegulations permit the collection of only paperback books. Monetary donations also are accepted to cover shipping and handling fees. Once the book drive ends, Operation Paperback will tell cadets where and to whom the books will be sent. \n"The goal of our project is to show our support and help improve the lives of the brave men and women serving our country," Schinder said. "Hopefully our efforts will convey our gratitude and will send a kind message form home." \nThe cadets hope providing the troops with books will help them combat the boredom they often face.\n"They don't have much to do on their downtime," said Burkey. "Think of the last time you were bored -- I bet anything to do would have been fun. Now multiply that times ten, and that's how bored they are. Giving a book for them to read as something to do is like giving a poor college kid money to spend."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Trevor Brown at brownta@indiana.edu.