American Legion sends care packages year-round
By Julia Cho Contributing Writer

Carolann Boyle carries one of the care packages she has prepared for a service member in Iraq. PHOTO/JULIA CHO

Northborough - With the holidays comes a flood of giving and goodwill, especially toward those Americans serving overseas. After the holidays, donations can taper off sharply, but the need for care packages does not. Northborough's Vincent F. Picard Post 234 of the American Legion is trying to meet that need by organizing an ongoing care package program, sending packages to service members stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Carolann Boyle, the second vice president of the Legion's Ladies' Auxiliary, is in charge of the care package program.

"It was going to be a oneshot deal at first, but after sending out the first two packages from the donations of just three people," Carolann said, "I decided, after talking to the Legion Commander Larry Beatty, to make this an ongoing thing."

She credited Beatty with giving her total support and guidance in the endeavor. She also said that many others, such as the 25 members of the Ladies' Auxiliary, have helped out in many ways.

Carolann's husband, George Boyle, the junior vice commander of the post, also helps in the packing.

"He helps me assemble the packages and with getting them to the post office because some of them can be quite heavy," Carolann said.

People like Lois Millar, chaplain of the Ladies' Auxiliary, and Sergeant-at- Arms Ed Bombard have also helped get the word out by issuing press releases, putting information on the local cable channel and contacting various church groups.

The American Legion requests donations of Slim Jims, gum, beef jerky, granola bars, nuts, drink boxes, Pringles, Tootsie Pops, sardines, hard candies, socks, foot powder, bar soap, antiseptic hand gel, shampoo and conditioner, books, and DVDs. They also gladly accept cash donations to help defray the cost of packaging and shipping.

In addition to the usual items for the soldiers, they also request Beanie Babies or other new, small stuff ed toys to give to local children in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The kids there have nothing, and they love the Beanie Babies, so I try to include as many as I can," Carolann said.

Soldiers can hand them out to the local children as part of a goodwill gesture.

The packages must go to an individual, per the order of the Department of Defense, for security reasons. The Legion is currently asking local residents for the names of service members currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Carolann has sent out 12 care packages since October 2007. So far, they've gone to service members in Iraq, but she hopes to get names of members in Afghanistan so that she can start sending packages there as well.

She recently sent a care package to a female captain in Iraq.

"This [was] my first time sending a package to a woman service member," Carolann said.

As soon as one package goes out, Carolann starts sorting through new donations and mentally prepares the next care package.

"I will do as many as I can from the donations that I get," she said. "This will go on until they call the troops home."

To make a donation or provide the name of a U.S. service member serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, stop by the Northborough American Legion hall or call 508-393-3641.