The Parents/Supporters of Military - Fremont County is organizing its annual campaign to collect items to deliver Christmas boxes to all servicemen and women from Fremont County.
The boxes will be sent to them, no matter where they're stationed in the world, a flyer said. The care packages consists of basic necessities and some Christmas treats for them. In conjunction, local school children write cards and letters to add to the boxes. The group also sends Girl Scout cookies to recruits in the spring, which the Girl Scouts supply.
“We maintain a list of all the active duty kids from Fremont County and also the kids that we send off from the Army here,” said member Leona Bennett in an earlier interview. “Some of them are from Salida, Buena Vista, Alamosa and Westcliffe. We not only send boxes we've sent off from here, we send boxes to (everyone) that is active that we are aware of.”
Since 2015, the group have organized sendoffs for local young men and women who are leaving for the military to honor their commitment and show community support, a flyer said. During the send offs, the VFW, American Legion and Parents/Supporters of Military present the recruits and their parents with certificates and a gift bag to the mother.
The boxes, filled with goodies and gift cards of $25, including shipping, costs more than $50 each. All donations will be collected by Oct. 1.
Those who have family or friends who are serving in the military are asked to notify Leona at (303) 263-9144 or Shirley Troutman at (719) 351-2857. Those who would like to donate to the Adopt A Box campaign may send donations to Parents/Supporters of Military, P.O. Box 1601, Cañon City, CO 81215. For more information, call the phones provided above. Those who are interested also may join Parents of Military of Fremont County on its Facebook page.