Ybor cigars headed to troops overseas

Some groups collect cookies, clothes and toiletries for U.S. soldiers.

In Ybor City, they collect cigars.

"The guys overseas got to know that they are appreciated by the people back home," said Robert Alorda, a founder of the Ybor City Cigars for Soldiers program.

"They need something to remind them of home," Alorda said.

Tuesday night, a group of volunteers met at the Ybor City Development Corp. office, 2015 E. 7th Ave., and packed around 2,000 donated cigars.

Volunteers placed three cigars and a note about the program in a clear plastic bag. The cigars will be shipped to soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq, Alorda said.

Last year, Alorda and some others were discussing what could be sent to the troops. Someone said cookies. As he smoked a cigar, he suggested sending the troops cigars. The organization was quickly formed and 1,800 cigars were collected in the first year.

Alorda, 72, was in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam and Korea. His stepfather was a cigar roller in Tampa and his family would send him cigars, he said.

"When I was overseas and I got something from home, I enjoyed the hell out of it," said Alorda, who is the Ybor City Historic District ambassador through the Ybor City Development Corp., a city organization that advocates for the area.

Volunteer Gilda McKinnon worked for the U.S. Department of Defense. She remembers seeing the young faces preparing to be sent abroad.

"It means a touch of back home," McKinnon said. "Someone is thinking about them, appreciating what they are doing."

"They appreciate it because it's something they can't get there," she said. "It's something they can't buy. It's just special."

Nicolas Quintero of Brandon and his wife Agnia Leal are both members of the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Quintero said he learned about the project online and decided to volunteer.

"If I enjoy a cigar here, I know they'll enjoy one there," Quintero said.