Volunteers sought to help pack care packages

From Enterprise Staff

Three hundred to three hundred fifty Christmas care packages for the troops will be packed beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 3 at Livingston Physical Therapy located at 305 W. Mill St. in Livingston and additional volunteers are being sought.

Anyone needing a gift for a family member or friend is encouraged by F.A.I.T.H. Military Support Group to sponsor a Christmas box for the troops for $40. Christmas is right around the corner and F.A.I.T.H. (Families And Individuals Thanking Heroes) is asking for the community’s help in sending 300-350 care packages for local heroes protecting the country. It is a way to honor the service men and women who are away from their families during the holidays.

Those wishing to sponsor a box can include a signed note to the service member or honor a friend or family member as a gift. A letter will be sent to the recipient to inform them of the contribution as well as a note to the service member information them of the person honored.

F.A.I.T.H. has been sending care packages every month since 2006. The organization was formed to provide encouragement and support to military personnel while they are away from home. They meet at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month (except December) at Livingston Physical Therapy at 305 W. Mill St. in Livingston. In December, they meet at 8:30 a.m. on the first Saturday.

Each hero will receive three to four boxes during the holiday season, including a food box and Christmas boxes to share with their buddies.

More than 23,000 care packages have been shipped to the troops since 2006. F.A.I.T.H. is a charitable non-profit 501(c)3. Volunteers are comprised of committed and proud individuals in the community, service organizations, local church groups, local businesses, youth groups from various schools, the garden club and the LHS NNDCC.

Only twice since 2006 has the organization missed sending packages – once due to Hurricane Ike in 2008 and the other time during the 2020 COVID pandemic when they had to regroup to find supplies and determine how to pack the boxes.

Postage for the care packages continues to increase and the current cost is $18.45 for large overseas boxes and $15 for medium domestic boxes. The group is presently sending an average of 125-plus boxes per month with an average monthly postage cost of approximately $3,000.

The community contributes items for the packages but the organization still supplements the donations with additional items. Inflation is hitting them hard and the cost to fill the box is increasing. One hundred percent of all cash donations goes for supplies for the care packages, postage and labels. All administrative tasks are donated.

The care packages are filled with toiletries, Hormel meals, canned fruit, peanut butter, chili, soup, granola bars, snack cakes, homemade fudge made by the First United Methodist Church kitchen crew, mini pecan pies, stockings stuffed with various items, drink mixes, hot chocolate, candy canes, candy, gum, cookies, peanuts and sunflower seeds.

For additional information call 936-327-4084.