Throughout the month of February, donations were accepted at the downtown store and more than 100 community members wrote well-wishes to U.S. Marine Cody Post and the rest of his troop. Post is the brother of Gracie Post, an employee of Impressions of Saratoga. 

“We were promised that the packages would get to the soldiers by Cody’s birthday, April 1,” Impressions of Saratoga manager Marianne Barker said.  “We really want to show the soldiers how much we appreciate what they are doing.”

With the help of Cliff Sequin of Operation Adopt a Soldier, the packages were packed and mailed on March 8.

“The generosity of the community is unbelievable.  When people found out what we were doing, they began anonymously dropping 20 dollar bills into the register,” manager Ashley Abare said. “Everyone really got into it.”

Impressions of Saratoga staff used the donations and money earned from last month’s Chowderfest to shop for supplies and goodies.  Aside from the donations from the community, Park Lane Tobacconist gifted a box of cigars and cutters, a favorite among the soldiers, Barker said. 

“We really had a lot of fun with the whole project.  We try to do a lot for the community, but we really enjoyed going out together to shop for the troops,” said manager Kimmy Tribley. 

Lt. Col. Jim Pabis , a Saratoga Springs resident and a member of the Army National Guard, inspired Abare and fellow manager Marianne Barker by letting them know how much he appreciated items that most civilians take for granted while he was overseas – power bars, Slim Jims, razors, pictures of home and homemade cookies.

“Getting things from home means so much to them.  Hearing Jim speak about what helped him while deployed really made us want to something,” Barker said.

To add a personal touch, post cards were left in the store for those who wanted to share their thoughts with the soldiers.

“I couldn’t believe what some people were writing.  Whether they support the war or not, they certainly support our hometown heroes,” Abare said.