Happy Mother's Day from Iraq and Afghanistan

Lynbrook resident Patti Hauswirth has been collecting and sending boxes of “goodies” overseas since 2006 — but recently, she had an even better idea.

“I thought it would be nice for those in the military to send their own Mother’s Day cards home to their mothers and wives. “They get free postage [from the military], but they don’t get cards or stationery to send.”

Hauswirth, of Furman and Hauswirth in Lake Success, has worked with those in her office — including different firms who share the office space — for years to help coordinate and distribute packages to those in the military who are stationed overseas.

The idea is for anyone interested to purchase Mother’s Day cards (To Mom, To My Wife, To Grandmother) and put them, unsigned, in designated boxes around town. Hauswith will then collect the cards, and, using the Web site www.anysoldier.com, will disperse the cards in time for military personnel to sign them and return them to the U.S. in time for Mother’s Day, May 9. They must be mailed from here by Apr. 18.

“I’m delighted to be a part of this,” said Bill Gaylor, owner of Lyn Gift Shop on Atlantic Ave. in Lynbrook, one of the drop-off sites. “We consider ourselves to be a community-minded store.” Gaylor said that people do not have to purchase the cards at his store, but is offering a 25 percent discount to anyone who does.

Hauswith said that she will take on the cost of mailing the blank cards out to the servicemen and women. She said that if anyone wants a card sent to any particular serviceman or woman, that they can contact her directly.

The other drop off point is At the Our Lady of Peace Social Ministry, who will have boxes set up in the back of the church at 25 Fowler Ave., in Lynbrook.

Mother’s Day is May 9th , they have to get out an mailed by April 18. For more information, contact Patti Hauswirth at (516) 491-2912, or Sue at (516) 384-8520 or e-mail phauswirth@aol.com.

Comments about this story? Mmalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.