South Weymouth, Massachusetts, November
22, 2004 – On November 20, 2004, CarePacks organized
and prepared 70 care packages to be sent to US troops in Iraq.
This is the first set of boxes prepared by CarePacks, and
total weight of the shipment is approximately 700 pounds.
For three and a half hours, the members of CarePacks sorted
donated goods, prepared and weighed boxes for shipment, and
completed customs forms for the seventy boxes. Included in
every box was a card or letter prepared by a Massachusetts
elementary school student.
This “packing party” was the result of two months
of fundraising, weekly meetings, weekend mornings selling
magnetic ribbons, and the generous participation of the residents
of Weymouth, Massachusetts and Weymouth businesses. Many of
the packages will be mailed prior to the Thanksgiving holiday,
with the remainder to be mailed soon after. CarePacks is ready
to ship more care packages once the first set is on its way.
CarePacks is still seeking soldiers’ military addresses,
and these can be emailed to info@carepacks.org, or phoned
into 781-340-0161. Please include your name and phone number
so we can confirm the soldier’s address if necessary.
Background
CarePacks is a group of South Weymouth residents who decided
to provide certain items to US troops in the Middle East after
hearing that US troops in Iraq were lacking what they felt
were important items in their daily lives.
CarePacks is working towards its goal through several avenues:
1. Ribbon Sales & Contributions
CarePacks is selling magnetic car ribbons that say “Support
Our Troops”. Contributions can be sent to P.O. Box 536,
South Weymouth, MA 02190. All funds go directly to creating
or shipping care packages to the U.S. troops in the Middle
East or to additional fundraising.
2. Collection of Goods
CarePacks is accepting new items from our Wish List that will
be packed and sent to US troops. This Wish List (and a list
of drop-off locations) can be found at http://carepacks.home.comcast.net.
Dropoff locations can be found on the website.
3. Involve School Children
CarePacks believes that while it is important that U.S. troops
have the supplies they need, that personal contact with people
at home is equally as important. As a result, they are organizing
with regional 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.
4. 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. 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
and contributions allow.
Contributors
Generous contributors include the generous people of Weymouth,
Massachusetts, the St. Francis church and school, and the
following Weymouth businesses:
- Walmart
- Mailboxes, Etc. (Shaw’s plaza)
- Copy Connect
- Ricky Smith Pontiac GMC, Inc.
- Kelly’s Oil Company
- Alvin Hollis & Company
- D-J Equipment and Construction
- Larry’s Glass Company
- Ben’s III Restaurant
- Ryder Development Corp.
- Euro Trattoria Restaurant
- Union Brewhouse Restaurant
- K.C.’s Pub and Grill
- Jenny’s Market
- Washington Street Motor
- Atlantic Mechanical Co.
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
781-331-4503
carepacks@comcast.net |
