Above: Southborough residents organize contributions for care packages to the troops
(Photo by Susan Fitzgerald)
Southborough residents Lisa Braccio and Debbie Depp Wilson are organizing what they hope will be their final care package drive for U.S. troops overseas:
This will be our final Care Package Drive (#19) as combat will end before the end of the year so we will go on hiatus until we are needed again. This Drive is honoring all our Volunteers and Donors that have made true magic happen here in Southboro for the last 9+ years. We as a Community have truly shown what can happen when amazing people of all ages come together. With the continued support of our generous Community one final time we will hopefully break the 9000 box and 200,000 pound mark with this our final Drive!!! What a huge testament to our Community, we all have much to be proud of.
Though this event we, together, have touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of deserving Men and Women that put their lives on the line every day for us. Most boxes of our boxes went to units of 10-30 people and many hands basked in the wonderfulness of our love and support. Children and Adult cards and letters are the most important thing we can put in the boxes, so we encourage everyone to take a couple minutes and write a quick note/picture or card to just say thanks.
When we started this in 2005 we had idea it would continue as long as it has or been as amazingly successful. We are forever grateful and humbled by the support and hope our Community has shown so very consistently. Can you share with your readers that from the bottom of my heart along with Debbie and Doriann, that we thank you on behalf of all those whose lives you made so very much brighter and made them know they were not forgotten, according to the letters we have received most boxes seemed to make it at just the right time to brighten spirits and morale.
The drive has been organizers’ way of letting our military know that their service is appreciated and they have not been forgotten.
In the past, Braccio has reminded residents that for some of the troops receiving this package can feel “like Christmas”. She also noted that as the troops draw down, they often have less access to supplies. So the care packages are more important to the troops that are left.
The collection drive will be Saturday,May 17, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, and Sunday, May 18, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, at the Southborough Senior Center.
With this advance notice, here are some things you can do:
- Add some items from the list to your shopping list for when you run errands. (Do it today and you can grab something for the Stamp Out Hunger drive this Saturday, too!)
- Write a letter or sign a card thanking a service member for his/her service
- Mark your calendar to drop off donations that weekend
No donations are considered too small. And if you prefer to donate money, funds would help cover the shipping costs. You can visit carepackagesforsoldiers.org to donate online.
For more information call 508-481-9939 or 508-481-6326.
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