Christmas For Our Troops Ships Off
By: Jackie Smith
Updated: December 8, 2010
MIDLAND -- Christmas For Our Troops started seven years ago here in West Texas.
They send boxes filled with snacks and essentials to local men and women serving overseas just in time for the holidays.
Every year the organization grows.
Last year they sent close to two thousand boxes to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Today they were getting ready to ship out this years batch
They're sending out more than twenty five hundred boxes today.
Volunteers piled into First Presbyterian Church in Midland to pack up the remaining boxes and get them out of Texas and into the hands of the people there meant for, the troops.
It was a mixed crowd filled with Veterans, active duty military and good samaritans.
All making sure these boxes make it out on time for Christmas.
These troops are packing up boxes for a cause they believe in.
"It's nice to know we have support at home compared to what we have to deal with everyday," said Sgt. Arnold Gonzales.
Items like toothpaste and soap are being stuffed in these boxes, things the average person wouldn't think twice about.
But it's exactly what these soldiers say the troops really need.
"All these items are very tactful, when your out in the city its good to have the hand sanitzer and baby wipes," said Soilder Jeremiah Green.
Christmas For Our Troops began 7 years ago with only five boxes.
Today, the line of volunteers is out the door.
"Continues to show the heart of the American people," said Christmas For Our Troops owner Scott Davis.
As people wrapped the packages getting them ready to be shipped far away.
Davis says he can't seem to forget the boxes that will be returned.
"We've lost a young man in Corpus Christi his week. That's why its important for them to see this tangible evidence so they can see and read how much we appreciate them," said Davis.
Because in the end, the'yre only human. With needs and wants like anyone else.
"They're super but not super humans and they need to know and hopefully this helps out," said Davis.
"We are superheroes. we're here for you, we're here for the people of the United States." Said Green, "Just pat us on the back because it means a lot to us."
All of those boxes will be shipped out today and arrive overseas just in time for Christmas.
This was also the first year that Odessa packed boxes for the troops.
I asked Davis what his hopes were for next year, he said that his wish is that troops won't need boxes because they will be home with their families for the holidays.
They send boxes filled with snacks and essentials to local men and women serving overseas just in time for the holidays.
Every year the organization grows.
Last year they sent close to two thousand boxes to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Today they were getting ready to ship out this years batch
They're sending out more than twenty five hundred boxes today.
Volunteers piled into First Presbyterian Church in Midland to pack up the remaining boxes and get them out of Texas and into the hands of the people there meant for, the troops.
It was a mixed crowd filled with Veterans, active duty military and good samaritans.
All making sure these boxes make it out on time for Christmas.
These troops are packing up boxes for a cause they believe in.
"It's nice to know we have support at home compared to what we have to deal with everyday," said Sgt. Arnold Gonzales.
Items like toothpaste and soap are being stuffed in these boxes, things the average person wouldn't think twice about.
But it's exactly what these soldiers say the troops really need.
"All these items are very tactful, when your out in the city its good to have the hand sanitzer and baby wipes," said Soilder Jeremiah Green.
Christmas For Our Troops began 7 years ago with only five boxes.
Today, the line of volunteers is out the door.
"Continues to show the heart of the American people," said Christmas For Our Troops owner Scott Davis.
As people wrapped the packages getting them ready to be shipped far away.
Davis says he can't seem to forget the boxes that will be returned.
"We've lost a young man in Corpus Christi his week. That's why its important for them to see this tangible evidence so they can see and read how much we appreciate them," said Davis.
Because in the end, the'yre only human. With needs and wants like anyone else.
"They're super but not super humans and they need to know and hopefully this helps out," said Davis.
"We are superheroes. we're here for you, we're here for the people of the United States." Said Green, "Just pat us on the back because it means a lot to us."
All of those boxes will be shipped out today and arrive overseas just in time for Christmas.
This was also the first year that Odessa packed boxes for the troops.
I asked Davis what his hopes were for next year, he said that his wish is that troops won't need boxes because they will be home with their families for the holidays.
