For the past six months, 17-year-old Southborough resident Rick Scott has been collecting donations and letters to send to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s all part of his Eagle Scout service project, a project he calls “Troops for Troops.”
On Sunday, Rick and his fellow Boy Scouts will be at Pilgrim Church’s Fellowship Hall to box up the care packages that are destined for 30 military units overseas, and he’s inviting the Southborough community to stop by and help.
“I am asking members of the community to join us at 1:00pm at Pilgrim Church Fellowship Hall to come and drop off final donations, but more importantly to write a letter to some of the our troops serving overseas,” he said.
Rick says the choice of Sunday, September 11 to pack the boxes was not accidental. “I have chosen to conduct my project on 9/11, as I believe it is a good way for my scouts and the community to gather together and honor the day, and commemorate the men and women who protect us,” he wrote in an email.
Care package donations will still be accepted on Sunday, but Rick said he really hopes people will take the time to write a letter to a serviceman or woman. Letter-writing supplies – along with refreshments – will be available at the church on Sunday. If you want to write a letter in advance, Rick asks that you address it to “Dear Soldier.”
Rick sent along this list of items they’re collecting for the care packages, but said the the most important ones are hard candy, gum, toiletries, and white socks.
- Hard Candy (ex. mints, Jolly-Ranchers)
- Gum
- Snack bars (ex. Chewy Bars, Nature Valley, Granola)
- Instant Microwave-meals (ex. Easy-Mac, Ramen Noodle)
- Microwave Popcorn
- Cookies (ex. Girl Scout Cookies, Oreos)
- Shampoo/Body Wash (LIQUID ONLY)
- Toothbrushes/paste
- Q-tips
- Body Lotion
- Chapstick
- Razors (male/female)
- Deodorant Sticks (male/female)
- White Socks
- Gently Used or New Books
- Gently Used or New DVDs
You can join Rick at Pilgrim Church starting at 1:00 pm on Sunday.
way to go, ricky