WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — A semitruck pulls up and volunteers scurry to unload and sort its contents. The truck contains pallet after pallet of toiletries – essential ingredients for the care packages created by Support the Troops.
And all the volunteers working so hard? Well, they’re essential too.
“I love doing this,” said Kye Malone whose husband is in the service. “It just brings me joy to do this and to know we’re supporting our troops and the community.”
Many of the volunteers are either from MacDill Air Force Base or with the not-for-profit Blue Star Families. It’s a great example of how groups can work together with the shared goal of helping the men and women who serve our country.
"Every day we have troops that are forward deployed and they need to know: One, that we appreciate them. Two, that they also need items," explained Suzy Malloy from Blue Star Families. "They can’t just go to their local Walmart when they need a razor."
Support the Troops packs up and sends boxes filled with treats to military members serving overseas in remote locations or on ships. The packages contain items that are hard to get and guaranteed to deliver some smiles.
Retired Navy Commander Darryl Adams volunteers with Support the Troops. He’s happy to put in the hours, because he knows just how important this mission is.
“I know what it’s like to be deployed and receive something from home. It’s huge!” Adams said. “When you get a little taste of home when you’re in a foreign land, it means the world to you.”
Support the Troops frequently gets donations from big corporations, but there are a few items that are always in short supply. That’s why 10 Tampa Bay is asking you to donate the following items: White Tube Socks, Toothpaste, Beef Jerky, Hard Candy, and Gum.
Here’s where you can drop off your donations:
- 10 Tampa Bay Studio – 11450 Gandy Boulevard, St. Petersburg
- Sonny’s BBQ restaurant locations: St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Largo, Palm Harbor, New Port Richey, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Lakeland North, Lakeland South, Bradenton and Sarasota.
- Florida State Elks Association lodges: Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Manasota, Palmetto, Plant City, Sarasota South, South Hillsborough, Venice-Nokomis, Brandon, Lakeland, Holiday Isles, Largo, Seminole, St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs.
- Total Spine and Brain Institute – 1110 Nikki View Drive, Brandon
Mark Van Trees from Support the Troops says donations from the public really make a difference.
"One percent of this nation volunteers to serve this country," he said. "They leave their families and friends and go and serve all over the world and the other 99-percent of us can make sure they’re not forgotten."
The largest expense for Support the Troops is postage, so you can help with that by donating on their website.
The 10 for the Troops drive runs through the end of the year.