Scroll down for thanks from the troops.

Thank you all for your support of the June 12, 2010 Care Package Project (CPP) pack day. We changed things up a bit this time to allow more people to participate in packing boxes. Eighty three volunteers signed up to come and pack care packages during our morning and afternoon shifts. During this pack day we shipped a total of 966 care packages to Afghanistan and nearly cleaned out the warehouse!

Click for a slide show!

One great thing about the CPP program is that volunteers and family members come from all over the U.S. One of our long distance travelers was volunteer David Halter who came all the way from South Dakota. Then he took home the first prize from our raffle drawing! We also had traveling volunteers from Colorado, California, Indiana, South Carolina, Kansas, and Wisconsin.

We also had a special visit from former Army solider and Iraq War Veteran, Troy Yocum, who brought along his dog, Emmie. Troy is the founder of the Drum Hike and is donating 16 months of his life to raise $5 million for Veterans and their families who are in need of financial assistance and/or housing. His goal is to walk 7,000 miles across America on his “Hike for Heroes” Campaign. He made an additional stop and joined Marine Parents and our volunteers for this June’s packing day, adding a special prayer into each box. To follow Troy’s journey, click here.

Marine Parents also took this day to honor our volunteers who have donated 250 hours or more by recognizing them in an awards ceremony. The volunteers were awarded the Presidential Service Award certificate and pin with Cassie representing our youngest recipient, age 10. Following the ceremony, everyone enjoyed a delectable lunch of pulled pork sandwiches and sides, provided by Lonnie Rays, of Harrisburg, Missouri.

The Care Package program will open registration 3 weeks out from the August 28th packing day. As usual, please notify the office if you will be in need of a room at the Courtyard by Marriot while volunteering with Marine Parents. At the special rate of $59 (plus tax), staff members are more than happy to register your rooms for you.

New to the CPP program are CPP Volunteer shirts. They can be customized and sized to fit all your needs. They are available now! Click here.

Save August 28, 2010 as our next volunteer pack date. CPP wouldn’t be the same without all of our volunteers who come together to help us ship care packages to our deployed Marines.

Thank You From Marines:

Thank you from a Corpsman
Email received June 20, 2010:

Thank you for the package and the attached little note from my wife. Granted, I am not a Marine but I might as well be one. I am a Navy Hospital Corpsman and have been with the Marine Corps for 14 of my 20 years of service. Attached is a picture of some of my staff and we are grateful for all that you do to support us when we are out here and away from home.

As one of your requests I will tell you that little drink packs that flavor the water are a blessing. Water by itself tends to get old and a little flavor goes a long way. Once again, thank you for what you do and it is truly my pleasure to serve this great country of ours and protect those that live in it.

V/r
HMC A

Thank you from a Marine
Email received June 22, 2010:

Thank you for sending out the care package I received today. Out here in Afghanistan there is not much to look forward to. As a Sergeant of Marines I will make sure that this gets shared with some of the juniors as well. I think what you guys are doing is awesome! Thank you again.

R/S
Sgt L

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Click to Enlarge

A Special Thank You to: