Troop Care Package Night in Deerfield, IL
73Every Box Contains Surprises
Cissy Singleton and US Army First Sergeant Mark Doran take a break.
Sergeant First Class Tyrone Brown Also Lent a Hand.
Staff Sergeant Caradang was also on hand to help.
On the evening of August 18th more than 40 men, women, and children were on a mission in Deerfield, IL. The mission was to support our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. The way they were supporting the troops was to send more than 130 packages containing personal items, snacks, reading materials and personalized hand written letters to our troops who are currently serving in those two war-torn countries.
Those those who participated include the family members of troops who are serving our country. They are the ones to whom the Three Ws; War, Waiting and Worry are realities they deal with every day. Spending a couple of hours once a month is one way they can come together with others like them and share in showing their support.
Others who volunteer for the Troop Care Package Night are veterans from other wars, and those who have no direct connection with troops, but who wish to show their support.
The August 18th event also had some active Military including; Army Sergeants First Class Mark C. Doran, and Tyrone Brown, and Staff Sergeant Aurelio O. Carandang . The sergeants are Army recruiters from the U.S. Army Recruiting Station located at 1320 Dodge Ave Evanston, IL. However, their goal that night was not to recruit, but to pitch in and support not only the soldiers, but the sailors, airmen, and Marines who were receiving the care packages.
In addition, USMC Lance Corporal Michael Molloy was present. (Lance Corporal is the rank above Private First Class, and the Marines are the only branch of the armed services to have Lance Corporals.) Molloy, has served in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
The troop night has been held on a regular basis since 2005. St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church of Deerfield, Illinois has graciously hosted the event, and some of those who attend the Troop Care Package nights are members of the church.
The event seems to be organized chaos as packages of everything from toothpaste to babywipes, to suntan lotion, to snacks, to cans of food, to books are arranged on tables. Then, the participants each take a box and fill it from the array of goods on the table. The process is reminiscent of going through a self serve smorgasbord line with boxes instead of trays. The contents of each box is unique, depending on the person packing it, and the available goodies on the tables.
When a participant has filled his/her box she then sits down at a table to complete filling out the label and to write a personalized letter. The box is then taped shut and the participants repeat the process until there are no more boxes to be filled. The end result of this activity is a wall of boxes more than four feet tall and three feet deep.
The Army was not the only branch represented.
Soldiers and Marines weren't the only ones working.
While some fill boxes others make sure there is a supply of items to pack.
Before the boxes can be sealed shut, shipping and customs labels need to be prepared.
The last of more than 130 boxes are stacked.
Not all the participants are adults. For some this is truly a family event and children have a fun time pitching in not only packing boxes but also in cleaning up.
Cissy Singleton and Nuala Kurokawa have founded and have led this ongoing Troop Care Package event since April of 2005. Nuala’s son who is a Sergeant in the U.S. army has served two tours of duty in Iraq, and Cissy has a nephew who is a member of the U.S. Special Forces.
The reward for those who lead and participate in the Troop Care Package event is hearing from those who have received packages. There have been numerous letters and emails sent in thanks for the support shown.
There are many ways that individuals, organizations and corporations can help the Support Our Troops care package event. One way of course is to show up and help pack boxes. Other ways include financial support or support by donating goods.
The contents of the troop care packages typically include items such as Socks, Protein bars/Cliff bars/Granola Bars Hygiene products: Baby Wipes, Liquid hand sanitizer, razors Food in foil pouches OR pop-top cans: tuna, ready-to-eat rice, Chef-Boy-R-Dee spaghetti, and ravioli Instant drink mixes (packages with single serving size: Kool-aid, Crystal Lite, Gatorade, coffee, and tea) Snacks: peanuts, gum, pretzels, chips, cookies, dried fruit Fun items: paperback books, cards, DVD’s, games, puzzle books.
If you are thinking of donating something it is a good idea to check first and see what is needed.
You can learn what is needed by calling 847 945 1678.
If you wish to send a check to help defray postage and other costs please mail.
Attn: Cissy and Nuala Troop Care Package
St Gregory's Church 815
Wilmot Road Deerfield, IL 60015.
Make sure you write in the memo space of the check "Support our troops".
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How wonderful to see people come together for the greater good of our Soldier's. It's also so important to have younger folks get involved to, for it's a great learning exsperience and it builds character. I will share this hub and all it's information with all my friends. Great Hub Keith,...Thanks for sending me the link - HOOAH !!!!
Fantastic to read of your 'activity' and thanks for doing it all! My grandson was in Afghanistan a year and I tried to send a package a month - and everybody enjoyed them. We do need to remember our troops all the time - and let them know it! Thank you again!
Considering that I'm from the south side of Chicago, it was great to see the community pull together like that in Deerfield. I never knew that they really cared for troops like that and I was honored to be among many patriots during our time of war. I'm sure that the packages that were sent were thoroughly enjoyed. Thank You Deerfield, IL for your support.
JS 2 years ago
Great article Keith!