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Packages ready for shipment to NMI soldiers
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Posted on Nov 30 2008
More than 200 packages yesterday were boxed and are ready to be shipped off to military men and women around the world as part of Operation CNMI Home Front Support.
Approximately 125 family members, on-island military personnel and community members were on hand at the Army Reserve Center to prepare the boxes so they could be shipped off today, in order to reach the soldiers by Christmas.
“Each letter from home goes along way to boost their morale. It lifts up their spirit,” said Family Readiness Group leader Rita Chargualaf, whose husband is currently serving abroad as part of the Echo Company. Chargualaf, who sends a package to her husband every week, said he’d often send requests for items made from home.
“I think it’s always nice when the community comes together for the soldiers,” she said. “It’s a difficult time for them there.”
Getting a little something from home goes a long way for a soldier, said Tonya Mesa, alternate leader for the Family Readiness Group.
“Anything to keep that little bit of sanity,” she said.
There were three different types of boxes shipped, depending on where the soldier is serving. Family and community members submitted the names and contact information for the deployed soldiers.
Red Cross’s Kennedy Benjamin said they brainstormed what items soldiers would want and need the most while away from home.
Community members, businesses and local organizations donated items for the packages. Some of the items included: SPAM and other canned goods; hygiene kits; cookies; mangoes; and newspapers and magazines. Students also submitted letters and drawings to the soldiers, while the local knitting club made beanie caps.
The program was conceived by the Troops-to-Teachers program, which teamed up with MCV and the American Red Cross.
