Care packages sent to active-duty troops
Janet Brandon addresses each of the packages that will be sent to active duty service members from Sanders County. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Plains fifth and sixth-grade letters written to active-duty service members from Sanders County. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Volunteers Linda Barnes, Linda Grey and Nora Verpooten. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Volunteer Pat Farmer makes Christmas ornaments for each care package. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Volunteers at the Plains VFW Post 3596 last week continued a long-standing tradition of assembling care packages for each active-duty service member from Sanders County.
Volunteers included Janet and Dave Brandon, Barb Kincaid, Linda Barnes Nora Verpoorten, Pat Farmer and Cindy Gray. Gray said local businesses contributed most of the items that were being sent to service members.
Several local businesses were Plains Drug, The Printery, NAPA, Valley Press and Quinn’s Hot Springs. Almost $600 in cash was donated to send over 20 packages around the world. Each package sent cost $22.
Items donated included toiletries, pens and writing paper, candy, snacks, local newspapers, socks and Christmas ornaments. A personal touch was added to each package that included a handwritten letter from a Plains fifth or sixth grader.
Gray said, “They’re just some awesome letters from the kids.”
Plains fifth and sixth-grade letters written to active-duty service members from Sanders County. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Volunteers Linda Barnes, Linda Grey and Nora Verpooten. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Volunteer Pat Farmer makes Christmas ornaments for each care package. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)