South Weymouth, Massachusetts, November
8, 2004– A group of residents in a South Weymouth
neighborhood have gotten together to assemble, pack, and ship
care packages to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
These residents formed a group called CarePacks after hearing
that US troops in Iraq were lacking what they felt were important
items in their daily lives. These needs range from sunscreen
to powdered sweet drinks to letters from home. CarePacks'
goal is simple: to help elevate troop morale and mental health
by assembling and sending care packages to them.
CarePacks is working towards its goal through several avenues:
Ribbon Sales & Contributions
CarePacks is selling magnetic car ribbons that say "Support
Our Troops". The group was at the Columbian Square Halloween
window painting contest over Halloween weekend and got a good
response. CarePacks has also sold ribbons outside Johnnies
Foodmaster in the Pleasant Shop Mall in Weymouth and at the
Stop & Shop near Walmart. Financial contributions can
be sent to P.O. Box 536, South Weymouth, MA 02190. Virtually
all funds go directly to fundraising, purchasing items to
be shipped, or to packing and shipping care packages. Administrative
costs are close to zero.
Collection of Goods from CarePacks
Wish List
CarePacks is accepting new items from our Wish List that will
be packed and sent to US troops in the Middle East. This Wish
List (and a list of drop-off locations) can be found at http:/www.carepacks.org/
or by calling 781-340-0161. Any business or organization wishing
to host a donation box can contact the same phone number,
and a decorated box will be delivered to them. All Drycleaning
by Dorothy's store have drop boxes for Wish List items. CarePack's
goal is to start sending out care packages by mid-November.
Involve School Children
CarePacks believes that while it is important that U.S. troops
have the supplies they need, that personal contact with home
is equally as important. As a result, they are organizing
with local elementary schools to have students write cards
to the soldiers overseas. At least one card will be placed
in each care package that gets shipped.
Collect Soldiers' Addresses
People can send the names and addresses of soldiers in Iraq
and Afghanistan to info@carepacks.org. Please include your
name, address, and phone number, so CarePacks can confirm
the soldier's information if necessary. A brief note to the
soldier can also be included and will be placed in the care
package. We will send care packages to as many soldiers as
our funding allows. Each package will contain a number of
items from the Wish List.
CarePacks is not affiliated with any political or religious
organization and is solely concerned about, and focused on,
the welfare of U.S. troops.
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Contact Information:
Neal Skorka
c/o CarePacks
P.O. Box 536
South Weymouth, MA 02190
781-340-0161
info@carepacks.org |
