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Military Care Package Supply Drive

Second annual event to create care packages for deployed soldiers

Maggie Connors and Chris Pontius put together 200 care packages for deployed soldiers during last year’s event. Photo credit: Maggie Connors

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Two years ago, Maggie Connors, Army wife and Edward Jones financial advisor, decided that she wanted to find a way to give back to the military community. After she bounced ideas back and forth with her husband, she settled on sending deployed Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers care packages. Connor's idea blossomed into the creation of the Military Care Package Supply Drive. She enlisted the help of the local community with the intention of sending 50 care packages. To her astonishment, she was able to collect enough supplies to send 200 care packages overseas. This year, the event returns with hopes of sending even more happiness to deployed soldiers.

The second annual Military Care Package Supply Drive officially kicked off March 20, and Connors will continue to collect supplies until May 12. She invites the community to make donations of non-perishable items and snacks such as cookies, crackers, beef jerky, and single-serve drink packets. Connors will also be collecting toiletry items like shampoo, conditioner and body wash. All these items will be packaged in customized care packages that will include thank-you notes from the community. "We have had awesome community feedback about children being involved in making the thank-you notes that we send to the soldiers," said Connors.

Everyone in the community is welcome to participate in the Military Care Package Supply Drive. "Last year we had such wonderful support from local families and businesses together," said Connors. She would also like anyone in the community to join her, and Chris Pontius, branch office administrator, at their office May 13 to help put together the care packages before they are turned over to the USO to be mailed. "We would really love to make it a fun event that everyone is welcome to attend and write a personal thank-you card to put in the package," said Connors.

For Connors, this is the perfect way to give back to the military community in which she is a part of. She knows first-hand how much a care package means to a deployed soldier and how it could make their day. "We have been completely humbled by the outpouring of community support for this event," said Connors. "To be able to bring a smile to a soldier's face means everything to me."

If you would like to participate in the second annual Military Care Package Supply Drive, please take donations to Maggie Connors at Edward Jones, 1100 Station Drive, Suite 241, DuPont. For more information, please call: 253.912.4490. 

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