Care packages boost morale for Airmen overseas

Holiday morale box drive

Nancy Miller, 21st Force Support Squadron morale committee chair, collects packages to send to the troops in Afghanistan for Thanksgiving. Donations are being collected at various locations on Peterson Air Force Base. Miller will also be collecting donations from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 29, at the Lowe’s on Powers Boulevard and Constitution Avenue. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lea Johnson)

Published Oct. 25, 2011
By Lea Johnson
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Five years ago Nancy Miller, 21st Force Support Squadron morale committee chair, collected more than 500 care boxes to send to troops in Iraq.

The boxes were filled with food and supplies the military members could use while deployed.

Donations this year have been slow, but Miller hopes to send even more to Afghanistan this Thanksgiving.

"It's a huge morale booster," Miller said. "They find it really overwhelming."

The 21st FSS morale committee is an independent, non-profit organization of volunteers who want to make a positive impact, she said.

The committee is collecting care packages at the Peterson Air Force Base commissary, base exchange, chapel, child development center main building, CDC annex, R.P. Lee Youth Center, bowling center, golf course, Building One, Building Two, aero club, library and The Club.

Miller said boxes should be a shoebox size, and wrapped in holiday or brown paper. She also suggests writing a thank-you note and sticking it in the package as well.

Individual items can also be donated. Acceptable items include zip lock bags, plastic utensils, batteries, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, instant coffee and creamer, powdered drinks, tuna kits, ravioli, canned vegetables and fruit (pop-top cans), ramen noodles, instant oatmeal, granola bars, beef jerky, toaster pastries, juice boxes, toiletries, travel size games and cards, magazines and books.

For those without base access, Miller will be at Lowe's on Powers Boulevard and Constitution Avenue collecting donations from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 29.

All donations must be received by Nov. 11, she said. After Miller has packed everything up, Federal Express will send the packages to Afghanistan via two-day delivery, free of charge.

For more information, call Miller at 963-8135.