JACKSONVILLE, N.C. -- The United Service Organization held a party for packing care package June 9, preparing packages to send overseas to different service members stationed here.
More than thirty volunteers arrived to help pack more than 300 bags with an assortment of hygiene products including toothbrushes, toothpaste and razors, according to Sharon H. Malloy, the special event/volunteer coordinator at the USO. Local church groups, volunteers and companies donated the products. They also packed different snack, stationary and phone cards for deployed service members.
“A lot of [staff noncommissioned officers] make sure their troops get one of these packages,” said Malloy. “It’s a great feeling knowing this is going to go the troops.”
The bags will be sent to service members all over the world to let them know people are supporting and thinking about them, according to Malloy. The packages create a morale boost for the troops, because some troops might not get a lot of mail.
“I have been deployed and I know how it feels to get a care package, and how it feels to know someone cares about you,” said Tech. Sgt. David E. Allshouse Jr., a CV-22 Osprey electronic environmental instructor. “It’s a good feeling.”
The packages are sent off according to mailing lists the USO receives from unitts when troops deploy, according to Monique Allshouse, an employee at the USO. Family members also contact the USO with addresses of service members currently deployed.
None of this could have been possible without the work of the volunteers that came to put together the packages, according to Allshouse.
“I’m glad I can do something for the deployed troops from where I live,” Allshouse said.
For information about volunteering at the USO, or to make a donation visit http://www.uso-nc.org or call 455-3511.