The campaign is organized by the Public School System’s Troops to Teachers Program to show the community’s commitment to the servicemembers deployed to the Middle East.
“We will be accepting donations from the community in the form of care packages containing an assortment of canned goods, personal hygiene products, letters, newspapers, bracelets, and any other items that will remind the troops of home and help alleviate some of the stress of deployment,” said program director Geri Willis.
She said they have not started collecting donations yet but have already received pledges of support from several members of the community.
“Whatever we send to the soldiers will help boost their spirits, regardless of the size and the contents of the packages because they will know that they are in our thoughts and prayers,” Willis said.
Over 200 CNMI servicemembers are in the Middle East.
Willis said the Troops to Teachers Program will asks students to write letters of support to the troops to ensure that each servicemember gets a letter throughout the period of his or her deployment.
Willis said they will be holding an organizational meeting at 1 p.m. today at the American Red Cross office.
Program assistant director Fred Camacho said receiving things from home makes a world of difference in the lives of the servicemen.
He said sending packages to the servicemembers is a way to show support for the CNMI’s heroes who are fighting for the nation and the freedoms that U.S. citizens enjoy.
Willis and Camacho were yesterday’s guest speakers at the Rotary Club meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.
Interested individuals who would like to donate items can contact Willis or Camacho at 237-3287 or e-mail troops [email protected].
