Eglin CGOC sends packages, well wishes

  • Published
  • By Jasmine Porterfield
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Volunteers from Eglin's Troop Care Drive Committee and military family members worked together to pack 60 boxes to send to deployed service members as part of the association's biannual drive Jun. 5 at Eglin Elementary School.

"The [committee] started as a means of giving back to those giving so much for us," said 1st Lt. Victoria Carrillo, committee chairperson. "We recognize the importance of what they are doing and want to make sure they know they are remembered by us here at home."

The committee, part of Eglin's Company Grade Officers Association, is made up of five CGOs with varying experiences with care packages, with some having received them while on their own deployments, and others who have sent them for their loved ones.

"My dad deployed a lot, and my mom would send care packages with anything he needed, to include our letters," said Carrillo. "He always said that's what kept him going while he away. I joined the committee, because I believed in the mission."  

The committee's mission is to keep up the morale of deployed members through care packages containing everything from non-perishable food, reading material, playing cards, and hand-made greeting cards - all donated from local schools.

According to Carrillo, committee members coordinated with Okaloosa County schools to collect donated items throughout the year. As the drive is hosted semiannually, once in the spring and once in the fall, participating schools were split into supporting one or the other.

"It's a constant process for us to coordinate with schools for drives," said Carrillo. "As soon as one shipment is done, we hit the road running to prep for the next one six months later."

In addition to the school support, the Airman & Family Readiness Center invites spouses of deployed members to provide addresses or join the effort to personally pack boxes for their loved ones.

"It's a fun activity to involve the children," said Michele Ebert, whose husband is deployed. "It's good for them to be able to see the package go from here and see pictures of [their father] open it overseas and know they were able to give him something from home."

For Heather McLain, the drive made sending care packages that much easier for her.

"It's amazing just how many supplies were gathered," said McLain, whose spouse is also deployed. "It makes it easy, and the kids were very excited to come over and build a box for daddy."

The drive mostly supports deployed Eglin Airmen. Over the past two years, the committee has packaged and sent nearly 500 boxes and the feedback Carrillo receives directly from the troops is more than worth the effort.

"There's nothing quite like getting a random care package," said a deployed Airman. "It reminds me there are people out there praying and thinking about us. It is much appreciated and a welcome surprise."

Another writes, "Thank you so much for your generous gifts and encouragement. We are so proud to serve you and our country."