The collection of care packages assembled on Saturday at the Mystic Wonders shop in Lakewood were a bit different than typical care packages earmarked for deployed servicemembers.  There were no baby wipes, tubes of toothpaste, magazines or disposable razors. Instead, these dozen or so boxes were filled with candles, incense, herbs, stones, teas, and more.

Coordinated by Eric Cooper, Distinguished Faith Group Leader of the Forest Moon Grove Pagan Church out of Mount Vernon, Wash. and Mystic Wonders owner Telia Czeczeluk (both former Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers), the packing event was held to support Pagan military members serving in Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan and Cuba. "I know how important it is to get the necessary supplies (while overseas) and get what you need to keep your sanity," said Czeczeluk, who served six years in the Army and deployed to Tal Afar, Iraq with Cooper in 2005 as a member of JBLMs 29th Signal Company, 51st Signal Expeditionary Unit. "(The care packages) are the biggest morale boost a Pagan troop can get."

Care package items - which will be used primarily for personal Pagan rituals - were donated by Cooper along with Czeczeluk and his wife, Michelle, members of the local Pagan community, and Mystic Wonders customers. "The more support the better," said Sgt. Mathew Bass, an active-duty soldier with JBLMs 217th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade, who was on hand to help with Saturday's event.  "It's hard to find what you need."

Cooper, who served more than 19 years on Army active duty, including two tours to Iraq, started the Desert Moon Grove Pagan support group (which later became Forest Moon Grove) while deployed to Tal Afar. Members of Desert Moon, including Czeczeluk and Bass, met for coffee and fellowship almost nightly during the yearlong tour, Cooper said. The church, which obtained its non-profit 501 (c) status just a few weeks ago, has more than 1,500 members around the world - many of them military -and is open to those from all Pagan faiths, including Wiccans, Druids, Odinists, Hellenistics, Kemetics, Celtics and more.

"We're here to support all services, and anyone on a spiritual path," Czeczeluk said. "It if was a Buddhist or Hindu who needed supplies, I'd do it."

For more information about Forest Moon Grove, visit www.forestmoon.spruz.com. For more information about Mystic Wonders, stop by the shop at 5505 Steilacoom Blvd. SW in Lakewood, call 253-584-4875 or visit www.mysticshoppe.com.