Carole and Staff Ouderkirk are helping collect donations for wounded men and women at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C.

By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



Christmas is over, but the spirit of giving lives on with one company.

Teksouth Corporation, based in Washington D.C. with a branch in Gardendale, is collecting items for men and women who have been wounded in war.

Staff and Carole Ouderkirk spearheaded the effort after hearing about the plight of wounded troops from a friend of their daughter’s. Staff Ouderkirk is the president of Teksouth.

The friend, 1st Lt. Becky Mallory, is a nurse at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Mallory sees first-hand what troops endure when they are healing from amputated limbs and other war-related injuries.

“They have no funding for personal things,” said Carole Ouderkirk.

Because of that, she said, those in the hospital need everyday items that most people take for granted.

Stephen T. Wilsher, CEO of Teksouth, sent out a company-wide email telling employees about the troops’ needs. From that, the effort spread.

Staff Ouderkirk said that someone even purchased a store near Walter Reed that has many items the patients need. The patients have accounts at the store.

“You evolve through friends as you know more about it,” he said. “This is not a big orchestrated event. It’s just doing some kindness.”

1st Lt. Mallory had compiled a list of things the patients need the most. It included T-shirts, pajama bottoms, videos, books, DVDs, CDs and other items.

“They ask for interesting things,” said Carole Ouderkirk. One item the troops request is fleece blankets because the hospital blankets feel too heavy on their wounds.

“They want just little things like that, that make their lives better,” she said. “It’s personal housekeeping things they can’t go and get.”

Ouderkirk said that according to Mallory, the patients are shy and apologetic about telling the nurses what they need.

“They are reticent about asking for things,” Ouderkirk said. Despite that, she is thrilled to do what she can for the wounded men and women.

“They do so much for us and have given so much,” she said. She hopes the gifts will help “ease their transition back.”

“They’re some folks who defend our country and they need some help,” said Staff Ouderkirk.

Teksouth is inviting the public to donate items or money to the wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The Teksouth office at 1420 Northbrook Drive, off of Mockingbird Lane across from the U.S. Postal Service in Gardendale, serves as the collection point for donations.

For more information, call Teksouth at 631-1500.