Sunshine Elementary School’s love and support for our military reaches deployed troops across the globe; from undisclosed locations in Asia and the Middle East to Germany.
It is quite evident that the students, staff, and Bostic community love our troops! Over the past couple of years, they have made it a priority during Veteran’s Week (Week of Veteran’s Day) to take up donations for our deployed troops. Their love and support afforded us the opportunity to send dozens of care packages: Packages of Hope, to our deployed troops.
This past Christmas we were able to send over 20 Packages of Hope followed by over a dozen recent springtime packages. In fact, the drive was so great, we still have enough non perishable items to send 5-7 additional boxes which will be sent later this spring.
These packages were filled with goodies from Christmas cheer (games, candy, artwork from the students, Carmex, cookies, nuts, protein bars, personal hygiene items, cards and letters of encouragement) to springtime goodies, Girl Scout Cookies donated by Caldwell Construction. These packages mean so much to our troops. They bring hope and remind them they are not forgotten, they are not alone.
In addition to the items collected, enough cash donations were gathered to cover the cost of shipping for five boxes. In addition to the support from Veteran’s Week, support from our church covered the remaining cost of shipping, supplied branch specific military bibles and some much needed hand and feet warmers for our troops deployed to Germany.
Packages of Hope is an ongoing ministry at Father’s Vineyard. You can support this ministry by giving online (be sure to say YES to designation and designate for the military ministry). All donations go directly into the military ministry fund to support our troops.
If you know anyone currently serving, whether they are deployed, stateside, or training, please let us know. It would be an honor to send them a letter of encouragement or a Package of Hope, so please reach out to us!
Come back in May to see updates for the upcoming historic Blue Ridge Honor Flight due to take off April 29th.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to Sunshine Elementary School and to all the behind the scenes people who wish to remain anonymous that made it possible to send these Packages of Hope.
Lisa Marie Barrett, Director
