WAYNESBORO, Va. - Because the need for good sleep never ends, Meredith Kane Read started "Sleep for Soldiers," an initiative that provides bedding materials for deployed troops.
"These men and women are making sure that I can sleep safely in America, so the least I could do is help them sleep better wherever they are," Meredith said.
The wife of Spc. Phillip Read of the Virginia Army National Guard, Read said the program is a way for her to help.
"If I had my way, Phillip and all the other men and women in the military would never have to leave home, but since the world is not a perfect place, doing Sleep for Soldiers was a way for me to do something "¦ instead of just doing nothing.
"I also know how imperative it is for the morale of our Soldiers that they know that they are being supported from home."
Meredith said she was inspired by her husband's mother, who sent an egg crate mattress pad to Spc. Read when he was first deployed three years ago to Afghanistan.
"Phillip ended up cutting it into two pieces and sharing with a friend," Meredith said.
The mattress worked so well that when he would return from missions, he would often find another Soldier asleep in his bed.
"I wanted to offer Phillip and his men the same comfort "¦ I wanted to give them the comfort of home," Meredith said.
To ensure that Phillip would get the sleep that he needed, Meredith assembled 32 kits, one for each platoon member in her husband's unit. It consisted of an egg crate mattress pad, a set of sheets and a pillow for about $35 per box.
After she sent the first 32 kits, Meredith thought she was done. Then she got an e-mail from a Soldier who asked for 87 kits. And then the donations and publicity continued.
"I have been overwhelmed by the support of the community, including local churches and service clubs," Meredith said, adding that she is always looking for more Soldiers to mail the kits to.
As of today, about 300 boxes have been shipped to five different locations in Iraq, and Meredith has received many thanks in the form of e-mails, thank you cards and even two, framed certificates from grateful Soldiers.
Even though Phillip is safely home and nursing school takes up much of her time, Meredith plans to continue her small program for as long as contributions continue.
"I would love to continue this until all of the men and women in our military are home from the war," Meredith said. "There will always be a need for better sleeping conditions for our Soldiers."