Christmas is the time of the year that most people get to spend spreading cheer and reminiscing with family and friends, but for thousands of soldiers overseas, that is not a possibility.
In order to spread some cheer to those serving our country, the Ladies Auxiliary and VFW Post 3750 of Luling adopted a local unit and will send all the members care packages. So far, hundreds of items have been donated by parish residents. These items include things that many take for granted, such as deodorant, toothpaste and shaving cream.
“Sending these items really helps the soldiers’ families because Christmas is such an expensive time and they are constantly organizing fundraisers throughout the year to get these soldiers needed items and care packages,” Donna Guice, a member of the VFW, said. “When they reach the holidays, many of those families are worn out and moneyed out.
“By collecting and sending these items, we are giving those families a break and allowing them to focus on their family here by knowing that their soldiers are taken care of.”
Guice said that the military does issue soldiers certain items, but that sometimes they have to pay out of pocket for necessities.
“A lot of people have no idea what these soldiers have to go through,” she said. “These are items that are really needed.”
And Guice would know. Two of her sons served in Afghanistan in 2004 and 2005 and her son-in-law was a member of the Air Force during that time.
“I come from a military family, so I know what it is the soldiers need and I have the contacts to pull this together,” she said.
While a lot of the items have already been collected, Guice said some of them are still needed before the Nov. 26 deadline. Those include Q-tips, mouthwash, work gloves, hand warmers, flashlights, batteries, hot chocolate packs, foot and body powder, beef jerky and disposable razors.
The list of the needed items was put together by both the military and the local Hammond unit that the Ladies Auxiliary and the VFW are sponsoring.
“Not only are these items needed, but the soldiers really enjoy receiving things from home to boost their morale,” Guice said. “They need to know that people love them and support them.”
Information such as where the unit is staying and when the care packages will be sent can not be released due to military security. However, Guice said that the gift packages will arrive in time for Christmas.
Items to be donated may be dropped off at one of these locations: Thrift Village Pharmacy in Luling and Majoria’s Supermarket in Boutte.
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