WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — Inside a nondescript warehouse in Wesley Chapel, there’s a military mission going on. Or perhaps a better description is a mission FOR the military. There’s an assembly line of volunteers filling small mailing boxes with goodies.
Kye Malone’s husband Charles is in the U.S. Army and that’s why she spends hours packing boxes.
“Just knowing that one of these boxes is going to put a smile on one of our troops’ faces makes it all worthwhile,” Malone said with a wide grin.
This mission started about 40 years ago with just one man. Businessman Bob Williams would send occasional care packages to friends in the military. Over the years, that effort has grown and changed.
From there, the nonprofit Support the Troops was created. Director Mark Van Trees now leads the charge.
“About one percent of this country serves, so the other 99 percent can get behind them and take care of them,” Van Trees decrees.
Donations of goods and volunteers keep those care packages going out to troops serving in remote areas around the world. Nearly every day at the warehouse you’ll find retired Naval Commander Darryl Adams pitching in.
After spending thirty years in the service, Adams knows what it’s like to be far from home and missing out.
“I missed my daughter’s graduation, and I almost missed the wedding, almost…I didn’t, but I almost did,” Adams described while creating a small space between his thumb and forefinger to indicate the closeness of the call.
Adams says when you’re serving overseas receiving any kind of treat from home is a blessing.
“That just means the whole world when you’re away from home…something from home.”
For seven years, 10 Tampa Bay has teamed up with Support the Troops during the holiday season. And you can help bring some smiles by donating to our 10 for the Troops drive.
Starting on Nov. 11, drop off donations at Sonny’s BBQ restaurants or your local Elks lodge. The most needed items include the following: toothpaste, white tube socks, beef jerky, hard candy, and gum.
The biggest expense for Support the Troops is postage. You can help with that by donating here.
Over the years, people on the receiving end of care packages have shown their appreciation by sending military memorabilia to the offices of Support the Troops. There are also files and files of thank-you notes. So, if you donate, know that your thoughtfulness is appreciated.