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12/04/2017 11:00 PMClinton residents can take part in the season of giving and spread some holiday cheer by donating for military members as part of the Shoreline Community Women’s Boxes for Soldiers holiday care package drive.
“We have been sending care packages since 2006,” said Cindy Stevens, who with Lynn Mann organizes the project through Shoreline Community Women. The goal is to show our gratitude to our troops and hopefully brighten their day,” Stevens said.
Stevens said the group is seeking stocking stuffers, including batteries, Slim Jims, socks, and playing cards. Items can be dropped off at Cindy Stevens Fine Art, 30 East Main St, Clinton.
“We collect all year, but the most in the holidays,” Stevens said.
The group will start sending the boxes out sometime in mid-December, and Stevens expects to send between 100 to 200 boxes this year.
In addition to the donated items, Stevens also said that thank you cards will be placed in the stockings, something the recipients always appreciate.
“We hear back from the military members that they’re happy people are thinking of them,” Stevens said. “I’ll see people we mailed to that are still thanking me for years after we sent them something.”
Stevens said she got involved in the event back in 2006 when her son knew of five local people serving in the armed forces. Over the years, the group has added more and more names to a list of people who receive care packages.
Shoreline Community Women members are sometimes assisted in packaging the items by high school students and other volunteers. The shipping costs are covered with donations.
“We receive a ton of community support,” Stevens noted.
Stevens said she feels good helping organize this drive every year.
“You know it’s a positive thing. That’s why I’m still at it all these years later,” Stevens said. “We get help from all over and it takes all that help to make it happen.”
Stevens said that the group will accept donations even after the holidays have passed. In addition to the physical donations, monetary donations can be made as well. Stevens said the group is accepting military addresses from those who know a service member who would like a box. Interested parties should email Stevens at snowsblock@aol.com.