Published: November 12, 2008 11:17 pm      

Club to collect DVDs, VHS movies

Ashland — The Ashland Inc. Retirees Club of Ashland has kicked off a new effort to obtain more “gently used” DVDs and VHS movies for the Wounded Warrior program at Fort Knox, said Tom Reed, the club’s president.

The club sponsored an earlier effort this year that acquired more than 450 movies for the wounded soldiers, who are recuperating at Fort Knox.

“We want to deliver these movies before Christmas,” Reed said. “Many of these soldiers will not be able to get home or have home come to them this Christmas. Many other organizations around Fort Knox are doing what they can to befriend these men and women with parties and other morale boosters.

“Our club and the greater Ashland area seem to have found a niche as the ‘movies people.’

“We have spoken to those who are responsible for the Wounded Warrior program at Fort Knox and they tell us that these movies, which can be viewed while in bed on a personal DVD player or on a TV in a larger room by several soldiers, have been well received,” Reed said.

“Our club initially set out to collect only DVDs, but many people donated VHS movies. The Wounded Warrior project needed a VHS player for the movies, so a member donated it.

“Our club is providing organization and delivery of the DVDs and tapes,” Reed said.

“Our members are also giving these movies. The real success though of this program has been the generosity of the people of this area, who have given generously. We hope there are still a few tapes or disks left here in the area that can be given. I want to make this Christmas as good as we can for our wounded sons and daughters.”

The club, with the cooperation of many local businesses, has set up collection points at the following locations: Stultz Pharmacies in Flatwoods and Greenup, Phoenix Theaters in Boyd County, Don Hall GM SuperCenter in Ashland, Bentley Pharmacy in Ironton, AAA in Russell and Fannin Motors and The Independent in Boyd County.

WLGC Radio is promoting the donations on its station. Reed said other companies could be added to the list of drop-off points in the next week.

“This is not an effort by just our club,” Reed said. “It is truly an effort by many companies and the wonderful people of our area to show our wounded soldiers that we care for them and appreciate their sacrifices.”

The drive will continue through Dec. 15.