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Connie Telesco never shows up to an event without them, and if they are not hidden away until dessert, they are usually gone within minutes of her arrival. Telesco resides in Stamford with her husband John, a retired Stamford fireman and Vietnam veteran. About 10 years ago, she decided she would send her cookies and other goodies overseas to the troops to show them how much they are appreciated.
“In 2004, I saw war protesters on TV and I looked at John and said, 'We have to do something positive for our troops so that they do not come home to an ungrateful nation,'’’ Connie said.
Connie found all of the information she needed to begin sending items from anysolider.com. She is currently sending care packages to an Army master sergeant from Stamford, a Marine master sergeant and an Army pilot who is the nephew of a friend. Once the soldiers receive the items, they are shared with their platoons. Connie stays in touch with each soldier via email, Facebook and snail mail. If she knows they will be deployed again, she will put them back on her list.
“One soldier requested oatmeal cookies with butterscotch chips. When he was deployed for the second time, I remembered he liked those cookies and I sent them. He was happy to get them but was surprised I remembered,’’ Telesco said.
To show their gratitude, the troops send their appreciation in different ways, all of which is displayed in the sunroom of her home. The remembrances include 11 American flags, one that was flown over the Capitol when she retired from Pitney Bowes, three large binders filled with certificates, cards, emails and pictures, a medallion she received in 2009 from a two-star major general and a volunteer award from the Blinded American Veterans Foundation she received in 2008.
Although Connie uses personal funds to make all of this possible, she sometimes receives monetary donations and other items from friends. For the past five years, a former high school friend has been donating baking supplies every few months. Last year, the students from Stark Elementary School made cards for Veterans Day at an assembly at school. Connie took some of the cards and put them in packages. She hoped to get more at an assembly last Friday. “The troops love to hear from young people,’’ Telesco said.
Connie, who also volunteers more than 100 hours a year at The Smith House, truly has a heart of gold. You will not hear her bragging about what she does for anyone. She never looks for the glory.
When my son left for the Navy, she gave me a gift of travel size tissues with nuns on them that said, “Bless You.” It was a small gesture that brought me great comfort when wiping away my tears. She will never truly know the difference she is making in the lives of so many who are honored to know her, love her and who enjoy eating those famous cookies.
Robyn Blosio Bova is a Realtor with Higgins Group and a volunteer with Backyard Humanitarian.
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