Volunteers stuff care packages for soldiers
By Travis Coleman Journal Staff Writer | Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008
Sarah Seuntjens, 11, and Shari Seuntjens, Kingsley, Iowa, fill care packages Saturday at the Armed Forces Reserve Center. (Staff photo by Jim Lee)
SIOUX CITY -- The mission is this: Stuff as many items in a box the size of a jewelry case and send to deployed U.S. soldiers.
But the items inside aren't the only prize, according to Support Siouxland Soldiers volunteers. The care packages show soldiers that people back home are behind them.
More than 50 volunteers filled 250 Valentine's Day-themed care packages Saturday to be sent to troops. Family members of deployed troops are invited to personalize boxes. Laura Lindgren of Sioux City made a package for her son-in-law Matt Coad, who is on sick leave. She gave Coad some chocolate hearts and a valentine.
"It really helps out the soldiers and the families," said Sarah Peterson, project coordinator.
Volunteers filled boxes with items from three stations:
-- Hygiene: toothbrushes, baby wipes, lotion, shampoo.
-- Snacks: power bars, granola bars and other candies.
-- Games: playing cards, puzzles, dice and books.
Most of those packing Saturday had done this before, so they're familiar with the process.
"We're all professional packers. We know how to get the most for the bang," said Sandy Fleck, who was sending a package to her son, Tanner.
Packers consider two things when preparing the boxes: what does the soldier like and where the soldier is at, Fleck said.
The organization tries to send care packages around holidays, with St. Patrick's Day up next. They sent more than 200 care packages to soldiers within a 100 mile radius of Sioux City for Christmas last month. If a soldier doesn't need an item, they donate to another soldier, Peterson said.
"We had people tell us that was the only package they got," Peterson said.
Security National Bank gave the organization seed money and they've since funded their projects through T-shirt sales and donations. No one is paid for their work, Peterson said. Since last summer, volunteers have sent more than 600 care packages to soldiers.
Letters from soldiers were on display Saturday, including one from a soldier named Brent.
"It helps us to know that there are a lot of people back home think about us everyday," he wrote.
But the items inside aren't the only prize, according to Support Siouxland Soldiers volunteers. The care packages show soldiers that people back home are behind them.
More than 50 volunteers filled 250 Valentine's Day-themed care packages Saturday to be sent to troops. Family members of deployed troops are invited to personalize boxes. Laura Lindgren of Sioux City made a package for her son-in-law Matt Coad, who is on sick leave. She gave Coad some chocolate hearts and a valentine.
"It really helps out the soldiers and the families," said Sarah Peterson, project coordinator.
Volunteers filled boxes with items from three stations:
-- Hygiene: toothbrushes, baby wipes, lotion, shampoo.
-- Snacks: power bars, granola bars and other candies.
-- Games: playing cards, puzzles, dice and books.
Most of those packing Saturday had done this before, so they're familiar with the process.
"We're all professional packers. We know how to get the most for the bang," said Sandy Fleck, who was sending a package to her son, Tanner.
Packers consider two things when preparing the boxes: what does the soldier like and where the soldier is at, Fleck said.
The organization tries to send care packages around holidays, with St. Patrick's Day up next. They sent more than 200 care packages to soldiers within a 100 mile radius of Sioux City for Christmas last month. If a soldier doesn't need an item, they donate to another soldier, Peterson said.
"We had people tell us that was the only package they got," Peterson said.
Security National Bank gave the organization seed money and they've since funded their projects through T-shirt sales and donations. No one is paid for their work, Peterson said. Since last summer, volunteers have sent more than 600 care packages to soldiers.
Letters from soldiers were on display Saturday, including one from a soldier named Brent.
"It helps us to know that there are a lot of people back home think about us everyday," he wrote.
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