The men and women of the U.S. Armed Services call her the Desert Angel.
But to the residents of Ortonville, Louise Downs is simply a caring woman with a strong sense of patriotism and an intense dedication to U.S. troops who sends over care packages full of goodies and love.
Now, the Desert Angel is bringing her message and patriotic love to Oxford with the assistance of Crossroads for Youth.
On July 7, Downs and approximately 25 young men from Crossroads for Youth’s Life Preparation Center packaged around 30 ‘Desert Angel Kits.? A ‘Desert Angel Kit? contains anything from favorite snack items to much needed toiletries for the service men and women overseas.
‘Anytime you get an opportunity to touch the troops, everybody gets excited,? explained Downs, ‘even these young men. They were great.?
‘I really enjoyed working with these young men,? said Ann Childers, a volunteer known as ‘the line foreman? who assists Downs with organizing packing sessions. ‘They knew exactly what to do after I showed them just once.?
Downs, 56, of Hadley, began sending packages to troops overseas shortly after the September 11 attacks. She decided to commit herself to sending not only the much needed comfort items, but also little bits of good wishes and love through hand written letters.
In order to accommodate the cost and large number of items needed, Downs began asking groups in the Ortonville area to assist by donating items, volunteering time in packing those items and then mailing them overseas. Volunteers could even pick up and fill their own ‘Desert Angel Kit,? which includes an empty box with a name, custom forms and a list of ‘wishes and needs.?
Packed with determination, Downs is always watching for new opportunities to welcome another volunteer.
In fact, this reporter saw the power of Louise Downs in action. While speaking with her in Ken’s Coney Island, in Oxford, about her work, a young woman in a nearby table overheard the conversation. Before leaving the restaurant, the woman stopped by our table and asked Downs if she could send an ‘Angel Kit? to her brother in Afghanistan. The young woman also offered to assist the Desert Angel in any way possible.
‘This is what I do,? said Downs. ‘This is what it’s all about.?
Downs said her chance to work with the youth at Crossroads came about like so many other parts of her work, the right pieces just fell together.
‘I take care of an Oxford gentleman, Bill, and we always go to hear the Lake Orion Church Street Singers,? explained Downs. ‘Well, they were performing at Crossroads for Youth and so we went there to here them and that’s where I met Karen Touhey. (Crossroads) was having some kind of ice cream social and she asked if we were interesting in coming every week.
‘I just thought to myself that these are kids are wonderful. Then I gave them the opportunity to touch another life as they had touched ours.?
‘We definitely want to go to Crossroads for Youth again,? added Downs. ‘The boys were just wonderful.?
And Downs has not stopped there. The boxes packed at Crossroads for Youth are awaiting shipping at Ken’s Coney Island in Oxford and the Lake Orion Senior Center.
‘As you can tell by my store, I’m very patriotic,? said Ken Gjolaj, owner of Ken’s Coney Island. ‘I talked with Louise while she was in my other store one day and read an article about her in the newspaper. I was just so very impressed by her, and everybody knows I’m all about supporting the troops.?
Volunteers can stop by either location and sponsor as many packages as they would like. Each ‘Desert Angel Kit? normally costs $20-25 to mail. Downs asks that sponsors take a package directly to the post office and provide the cost for shipping. Everything is already on the boxes, including addresses and customs slips, the packages simply need shipping.
‘I find that people like to see what they are donating their money to and for,? said Downs. ‘What better way to do that than to do it yourself??
Packages will continually be made available at both Ken’s Coney Island and the Orion Senior Center. Empty ‘Desert Angel Kits? will also be available at both locations.
Ken’s Coney Island is located at 212 S. Washington St. in the Oxford Market Place. Boxes and kits can be picked up during regular business hours. For more information, please call the store at 248-969-3665.
The Orion Senior Center is located at 21 E. Church St. in Lake Orion. Boxes and kits can be picked up between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information on donating items, volunteering or holding a ‘packing assembly line,? please contact Louise ‘Desert Angel? Downs at 810-797-5461.
‘No matter what, we can’t forget our troops,? emphasize Downs. ‘We have to constantly encourage them and send them our thoughts, our prayers and our love.?