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AFRC helps organize holiday care packages

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center is teaming up with local organizations to send care packages to deployed servicemembers this holiday season.

Master Sgt. Kimberly Freeman, Airman and Family Readiness Center readiness NCO, said Scott AFB currently has 333 servicemembers deployed, and care packages help spread holiday spirit to their deployed location.

"My job is to provide members and their families with information and support throughout the various phases of deployment," Freeman said. "This is the time of year when donations for deployed members is through the roof. We've already received a donation of a thousand Christmas stockings to be sent down range to our deployers."

Freeman said one of the organizations the AFRC is working with is DePaul University in Chicago.

"DePaul is putting together care packages and they are looking for assistance in getting those sent downrange," Freeman said. "We send them a list of the most commonly needed items for our folks who are deployed."

Freeman said once the packages have been put together, the university will send them to the AFRC.

"We'll receive the care packages, contact the families, and the families are able to mail those out to their spouses," Freeman said. "We'll also contact their units and first sergeants, so they can come in to pick up packages to send to their folks."

Freeman said the AFRC is also collaborating with the University of Illinois 4-H extension.

"4-H is also in the process of putting together care packages," Freeman said. "The spouses will provide names and addresses, and they let their servicemember know that there are going be care packages coming. Anywhere from two-to-three care packages will be sent to those individuals."

AFRC also offers recordable story books as another option for families to send to their deployed member during the holidays.

"We purchase recordable story books and have the families pick them up and send them to their deployed love ones, so that the mom or dad can make a recording and then mail it back to their kids for Christmas," Freeman said.

Freeman emphasized that the packages continue to re-enforce a sense of community.
"It says that we still have folks that are supporting our people," she said. "Our families are able to keep our deployed members encouraged--there's nothing better than getting packages."

Beth Cover, mom of three young girls, said that care packages help her family feel connected.

"Sending pictures drawn from school and little things to decorate his small quarters with keep him a part of what we still do here," Cover said. "We send him things like a Santa hat and a few treats he might like from home. We try to keep the mail flowing so that there is a constant reminder of the love and support he has waiting for him back home."

Members can bring in donations throughout the year and for more information, contact the AFRC at 256-8668.