Commissionaires at Marine Atlantic (left to right) Marilyn Matthews, Sid Hatcher and Bill Timbury pack up school supplies destined for Afghanistan. Julie Collins - Cape Breton Post

NORTH SYDNEY —  Members of the Corps of Commissionaires working security at Marine Atlantic’s North Sydney terminal are doing their part to support Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan.
It began with care packages sent to the ground troops prior to Christmas filled with creature comforts, everything from personal care items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and disposable shavers, to chewing gum, assorted candy and magazines.
“We received excellent support from Marine Atlantic, the employees, businesses and the community in filling those comfort boxes,” said commissionaire Bill Timbury.
“We also included a Cape Breton flag.”
His daughter Capt. Jacqueline Timbury, who just returned from Afghanistan, distributed the boxes.
“The soldiers outside Kandahar signed the flag and sent it back to us with thanks. We are proud to have it hanging in our security building.”
After some discussion, Timbury and his fellow commissionaires decided to collect school supplies for Canadian troops to distribute to the Afghan children.
“Again, we had such great support for our earlier campaign, it just seemed right to take it one step further,” he said.
“People know the sacrifice being made by our soldiers and how important it is for them to work with the Afghan people.”
“We collected and boxed school supplies, everything from scribblers to crayons, pencils, markers and the like and had them shipped to Trenton, Ontario. From there, they were put on a plane bound for Afghanistan.”
Although he hasn’t received any official word, Timbury is confident the school supplies will make it to Afghanistan.
Because of the success of the first comfort package program, the commissionaires plan to begin collecting items in September.
“These packages are important for the ground soldiers serving outside the wire, those who are out on patrol,” he said.
“If we can provide our soldiers with a few creature comforts, it’s little enough.”
“No matter where we look for help in securing donated items, the door is always open. Everyone wants to do what they can to help.”

jcollins@cbpost.com