Help USA Troops Hopes to Send 1000 Care Packages to Troops April 7th

Posted March 21, 2019 11:00 pm

Submitted by Tom Hedrick

Marine Corps Cpl. James Stack was killed in action almost nine years ago on Nov. 10, 2010, but family and friends are still holding a yearly drive to send care packages to deployed troops.

Help USA Troops is a registered charity established in memory of Stack to send something from home to U.S. troops. Getting a package from home means everything to a deployed soldier.

Last year, Help USA troops shipped 983 boxes to U.S. troops overseas.

"The goal this year is to send 1,000 boxes or more," said Dawn Hedrick, president of Help USA Troops.

Since its inception in 2011, Help USA Troops has shipped almost 4,800 care packages.

"The community really has supported us and continues to support the troops" said Katie Stack, Gold Star wife of James Stack.

The effort seems to be growing at about 15 to 20 percent per year. The motto is "one box at a time, until they all come home."

Once again, the group is looking for a big turnout of volunteers.

"You really do meet the nicest people in the world when you volunteer," said Tom Hedrick.

This year's drive ended on March 30, when volunteers picked up donations from the drop boxes. The sorting begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at AMVETS Post 66, 700 McHenry Road in Wheeling. The next day, Sunday, April 7, is the Shipping Party. The fun begins at 10:45 a.m. and continues until volunteers pack all the boxes.

Volunteers from all over the community are welcome - students, adults, veterans, everybody. Usually, there are 125 volunteers or more each day. There are no set volunteer hours - just stop by and help as long as you can.

"You can come and go as you please. Some people come both days. If you can give us 30 minutes we are very thankful for the help," says Dawn Hedrick.

Donations of funds are also being accepted. The postage to ship one care package is $17. Please consider sponsoring one or two comfort boxes for our troops. Donations of funds can be made on the Help USA Troops website at www.helpusatroops.com.

Help USA Troops was founded by Dawn Hedrick in 2011 and is a registered charity. For information, contact Dawn Hedrick at helpusatroops@gmail.com, visit www.helpusatroops.com or call (847) 312-7898.

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