When Cpl. James Arnal used to return to his post, he always brought back pillows from home. This everyday item was a luxury for the Canadian troops in the harsh desert conditions of Afghanistan. When Cpl. Arnal was killed by a roadside bomb in July 2008, his former employer decided to commemorate his service by starting a pillow donation fund. The initial goal of “Pillows for Troops” was to reach 5,000 pillows – one for each Canadian soldier in Afghanistan deployed until 2011.
In December 2009, “Pillows for Troops” caught the eye of two chiropractors in Ottawa, Dr. Nancy Salgueiro and Dr. Mike Carreira. They decided to contribute to the cause by donating half of their office’s initial visit fees to the fund. They also accepted donations – a mere $5 could send a pillow to Afghanistan.
By the end of 2009, “Pillows for Troops” reached its goal of 5,000 pillows. It has now raised its goal to 7,500 pillows, and has also created a fund to build a new school in Afghanistan. All in all, this campaign has allowed Canadians to make a real difference in the lives of their armed forces. For more information, visit www.pillowsfortroops.com.
