Women's Auxiliary keeps care package tradition going

Volunteers with the Plains VFW Post 3596 Women’s Auxiliary last week continued a long-standing tradition of creating Christmas care packages for active-duty military troops from Sanders County.

The tradition dates to 1939 and brings joy to both senders and receivers.  

This year, the Christmas care packages were carefully assembled by six volunteers, with one of them participating for her 39th year.  

Nora Verboorten stopped long enough to say, “I joined under my husband Bill who was a World War II veteran.”  

With tears in her eyes she continued, “Well, I remember my husband and I hope he is happy with it. He was in the Philippines as a signal corpsman.”  

All the volunteers help out with collecting donations, and packaging and mailing the boxes. 

“I don’t think anyone is really in charge, we all just pitch in,” said Verboorten. “Some of the items have been donated by VFW members and some by businesses in town.” 

Items collected include new socks, candy, hats, disposable towels, local newspapers and popcorn. 

This year around 20 care packages are being sent out, with the farthest being sent to England.  

Twenty-five businesses donated items this year. Businesses and individuals donated $1,925 in cash.  

The most packages that have been sent out in one year was 60. Of those 40 went to one unit in Iraq. All the packages assembled will be sent the day after Thanksgiving.

    Volunteer Nora Verboorten prepares a care package. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)