280 care boxes sent out by Operation Homefront

The 6th Annual CNMI Operation Homefront Support 2013 set a record for how quick it packed its care packages for U.S. servicemen around the world last Saturday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center.

“The packaging event from this past weekend was phenomenal as we believe we set a record of about an hour to get all the items sorted, into the boxes, and packed with the addresses to be sent abroad. We literally began a little after 8am, but we were done by 9:30am with about 280 collected addresses and boxes ready to be sent out,” said officer-in-charge Nola Hix.

She thanked everyone who donated items to the CNMI Operation Homefront Support and those who helped pack the care packages.

“It was a terrific turnout and would not be possible without the dedicated students and volunteers who were there to assist us in the morning,” she said

Hix said the addresses that were collected consisted of CNMI military personnel from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota on reserve or active duty. She said the care packages will be sent to local enlisted servicemen and women stationed abroad in the U.S., Afghanistan, or anywhere in the world.

The packages consist of letters of support from schoolchildren, newspapers, magazines, postcards, T-shirts, local favorite canned foods (Spam, Vienna sausage, Diamond tuna, and Ox & Palm corned beef), local favorite snacks (coconut chips, rice crackers, dried mango, chicharon, asparagus biscuits, BinBin crackers), and other items that are unique to the islands.

Companies, organizations, government agencies, and individuals that donated items to the 6th Annual CNMI Operation Homefront Support 2013 include: Xerox, American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, Docomo Pacific and Docomo Pacific TV, IT&E, Bank of Saipan, Bridge Capital, Hyatt Regency Saipan, the office of Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan, the Governor’s Office, Joeten Supermarket, Patrick and Bertha Leon Guerrero, Sen. Pete Reyes, D&Q, MarPac, Genpro, Hafadai Productions, AC Pacific, I Love Saipan, Pacific Saipan, 670 Rocksteady Shop, William S. Reyes Elementary School, Mount Carmel School, Saipan Southern High School, Kagman High School, Marianas High School, Northern Marianas College, Rotary Club of Saipan, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, KSPN News, Marianas Variety, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Saipan Tribune and TAGA Sports, Glimpses Publications and Marianas Business Journal, Bison Relations, Tops magazines, Seventh Day Adventist Dental Clinic, Get Fit CNMI, Jack Hardy, Power 99 and The Kat 97.9, KKMP, KZMI 103.9, Betelnut Radio, Pacific Trading Co., and Triple J Wholesale.

“On behalf of our CNMI Operation Homefront Support Team we would like to thank all of the businesses and members of the community for their donations toward these efforts. We hope that all of the CNMI enlisted personnel who are to receive the care packages know that we salute them and we appreciate them for all they do. We will keep these servicemen and women in our hearts and prayers for a safe return and we wish them a very happy holiday season from all of us back home,” said Hix. [B][I](Saipan Tribune)[/I][/B]