Operation CarePak was such a success, its organizers have opted to keep on going with Operation CarePak 2 in support of a Special Forces unit deployed from Camp Blanding to Afghanistan.
“The main reason we wanted to continue is because the need is always present,” explained former SF employee Anne-Marie Mattison, the project’s founder. “The community’s support was just so tremendous for Operation CarePak earlier this year — we’re so appreciative– and that was another reason we decided to continue. We saw how much people wanted to help support our soldiers.”
This time, they’re sending items to 400 soldiers in four companies, the 3/20th Special Forces group of the Florida Army National Guard. The soldiers were deployed in August and are due to return in spring 2011. These same soldiers previously served in Afghanistan in 2002-2003 and in Iraq in 2006-2007.
“Specifically, this is being done in memory of two soldiers in this unit, both from Florida, who lost their lives during the previous deployment: Dr. Roy Wood, an ER physician from southwest Florida, and Sgt. Marco Miller, a decontamination specialist based at Camp Blanding,” Mattison added.
Family-size personal care items requested
Organizers they are asking community members to donate family-size containers of just three personal care items:
- Shampoo
- Bars of soap
- Any brand of deodorant
And white socks!
Cash is also needed to purchase items and pay for shipping.
Operation CarePak 2’s first packing party is Nov. 3
Operation CarePak 2’s first packing date is this Wed., Nov. 3, 3-4:30 p.m. in Building D, room 115 at the Northwest campus. If you’re planning to attend, please RSVP to Jennifer Mullis at jennifer.mullis@sfcollege.edu or call 352-395-5236.
Department and community drop-off locations are the same. They’re listed on the Operation CarePak website at www.sfcollege.edu/operationcarepak.
For more information, please call Anne Marie Mattison directly at 352-538-2434.
CONTACT:
For assistance facilitating your story, please contact Julie Garrett at 352-395-5430 or 352-870-2924 (cell) or julie.garrett@sfcollege.edu