Deployed Firefighter, Boy Scouts Hold Blanket Drive

Farmington firefighter John Krause is used to caring for people. The member is an emergency medical technician, an Eagle Scout and currently is deployed in Afghanistan as a Medic with the 142nd medical battalion out of Naugatuck.

Krause is stationed outside of Kabul, near dozens of children in refugee camps struggling to survive the dual threat of hunger and hypothermia, according to a recent New York Times article. Those who fled their homes due to war are now living in tents and mud huts, often with no fuel or firewood to fight off freezing temperatures. In snow or rain, the mud becomes soaked, the article said, and sometimes frozen. The death toll on Feb. 4 was 22 young children in a month.

Back home, John’s brother, Paul Krause, also a Tunxis Hose firefighter, read the article and sent word to John, who set in motion a blanket drive both at home and on base.

“John talked to the medics and said let’s try to do a blanket drive,” Paul said. “By the end of the day they had 100 blankets from guys on base.”

Farmington firefighters rounded up donations and filled several boxes with blankets.

Boy Scout Troop 170, to which Krause belonged, has also joined the effort. The troop is accepting donations and will ship them to the military, which will forward them directly to John.

Anyone interested in donating new or slightly used blankets or money to buy blankets for Afghan families, can email the scoutmaster at t558b@aol.com to arrange pickup. 

Checks made payable to Troop 170 BSA can be mailed to Troop 170, 61 Main St., Unionville CT 06085. Online purchases with free shipping are also recommended and can be shipped directly to: SGT John Krause, 142 ASMC,
USFORA NKC TMC, APO AE 09356.

Blankets can also be dropped off at Tunxis Hose Company No. 1, 11 School St., Unionville.