CARE PACKAGE DRIVE
996 IRONWOOD ROAD, BEAUMONT, CA. 92223
The support Our Troops care package drive was started by my wife and several ladies in our 55+ community of Solera in Beaumont, CA. One of the ladies had a nephew who was an Army Lieutenant in Iraq. They thought it would be nice to send him and his platoon a care package for Christmas. They went to our local Veteran’s Group for assistance. Before you know it, they had several hundred dollars and bags of donated items scattered across the garage floor. It was a little overwhelming for them. I took the project over with the intent to use up the money and donated goods and close the project down. I’m afraid I became hooked. I had served in the Army just prior to the Vietnam War. Although not in the war, I remember when soldiers did not wish to wear their uniforms home or in public less someone would approach them with insults. I wanted to show today’s soldiers that we cared for and supported them. These soldiers could be our children, family or friends. The Support Our Troops program is a little different than some other care package drives. Each package contains a handwritten note or letter with my name, address and email should they wish to respond. I carry on correspondence with twenty to forty soldiers at any given time. By getting to know the soldier, I can tailor his or her package to fit their needs.
