Our
Mission
Our Progress so far...
How you can help
Letters of Thanks
Pictures of the Troops
About
Us
7th Annual 5k Race 10/09/11
Latest News
 


Sending care packages to our troops deployed overseas

 

February 2011
Hey Kristen,
I am getting
ready to depart the theatre soon so I just wanted to make sure you knew how thankful I am to have met you and thank you and everyone that contributed to my unit. We will never say that enough. You made our deployment go by faster and definitely a lot more fun.
From the Marines of MALS-16 AVI 670.
Glenn Kennedy Jr.
APO AE 09327

December 2009
Hi ,
I got back from my Kuwait mission late last night to find our office inundated with packages from Pack It Up. It is indeed quite impressive and we have had to alter our distribution plan.

The vast majority of the stocking bags will be distributed here at Al Udeid on Christmas eve. We are focusing on the young airman and also including some of our international partners.

The basketballs and footballs are all going to a place called Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. This is ground zero for the Marines and they service many small outposts from there. We have a small gym here that is well outfitted with balls and gear so the boys in the field need them more. They will also get most (all) of the books since they are building up new locations from scratch and have no libraries. I did insure that all Rhode Islanders/Massachusetts folks that I know are here got something from the boxes. The shirts and hats were a hit. Msgt Tanya Montella, a Rhode Island administrative assistant who is here with us, took care of the distribution of the “special” bags for the females and they were well received.

I have had all sorts of questions regarding who all these crazy Pack It Up people are. Most common of course is an address to send thank you’s. Should they send them to the Pack It Up address in Milton that was on the boxes or would a e-mail to Kristin be best and she could easily post what she wanted on the web site. Some folks want to donate! We have tried to set a certain tone as Rhode Islander’s while we are here. As people have seen the boxes and asked what it is all about the common reaction is, “ you Rhode Islander’s really are different”. It has solidified the family feeling that we all try to portray.

The General loved her hat and shirt. She went through all the names and asked me what the connection was and it is now front and center on her display shelf in the office. Every team she has any connection with is in last place so I hope this doesn’t carry over to the Pat’s.

We have already lost track of the DVD’s! Most disappeared on the first night but all committed to bring them back so they would rotate through the organization. I think we were a little selfish to keep those here but everyone rationalized that the folks down range didn’t have the ability to view them.

All in all it was tremendous and has uplifted an awful lot of spirits here. Our office is looking forward to distributing the bags on Christmas eve.

You have done a very good thing by getting this project off and running and you should be very proud of the great family you have that keeps it rolling.

Col Larry Gallogly


May 2007
I must say, I think you have out-done yourself with this one! The
packages just showed up today and I am amazed... I can not thank you ENOUGH for the things in here! Everything made it safe and in one piece. Let me send a specific thank you for the iPods/cases/adapter and CDs... The fact that you were so quick to fulfill that seemingly outrageous request speaks highly of your character. For some people, young and old, they have never owned anything like this and receiving this in a care package was completely mind-blowing! Getting these really made a lot of Marines', not only days, but tours a lot easier. You would be surprised how a little music goes a long way after a stress-filled day.
Thanks again!
Respectfully,
Lucas P. Dresser

April 2005

Hi Kristin,
I am in receipt of the last package! Thank you so much for everything! I LOVE...LOVE...LOVE the Red Sox note paper! I distributed the candy and magazines in the mail room. The boys love the Maxim!  We appreciate everything you do!
About the letters from the kids...I LOVED THEM and we have posted them in the mail room.

Thanks again
Laurie
CPT Laurie Ludovici

February 2006
I received your e-mail and was impressed with your site in support of the troops, Thank you all for what you do for the troops.

I received three (3) packages from you and your organization as of this writing.  The troops enjoyed the snacks, magazines, footballs and socar ball you sent!! Again Thank You and Your Organization!!
Thank you MSG Christ

July 2005
Hi Kristin,

We did get the July packages and they were greatly appreciated. The sports balls went QUICK! Funny thing, when the mail clerks picked up the mail that day and saw your boxes, they thought I ordered stuff from Pottery Barn for my trailer here! HA! I laughed so hard, because Pottery Barn is one of my favorite stores. I shared the oreos (even though I secretly didn't want to), and the candy and coffee is always a big hit.
Laurie
CPT Laurie Ludovici

September 2005
We received all the boxes several days ago and it everything was great!! The movies as well as the other items are so appreciated by the troops. Thank you for all your support!
SSG Amy Litman


November 2005
I received your packages today!! And believe me they were meet with some huge enthusiasm. When we open the first box and saw it was stuffed with the smarties and caramel bites you could see nothing but some greedy smiles and wide eyes of delight.

My NCOIC SFC Jenkins has pretty much laid claim to the Bag of Chocolate Bars, but he is grudgedly sharing a few pieces. I want to again thank you for this unbelievable generosity. It gave me a great deal of pleasure to pass out the chapsticks and cookies and gum to the soldiers here. I have known most of them for quite some time so I know their weakness and with what you provided I was able to bring a little joy to a lot of people. To include the magazine, SPC Vargas loves those and was actually excited to get it when I handed it to her.

The bulk of the candy and cookies are in the break area of my office for all to enjoy.

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.
CW2 Dan Curran

January 2006
Hi Kristin -
Hope you had a Merry Christmas! I wanted you to know that I mentioned you and your family and Pack It Up when I spoke briefly before Chris' homecoming on Christmas Eve. I explained that the Christmas spirit abounds in Iraq (Art's efforts) and here as well.

It was a fantastic homecoming. ALL of the 1/126th are home now from overseas.

Keep up the great work and keep me posted on fundraisers in our area!

Happy New Year!
Donna Callahan
(wife of Colonel Chris Callahan)

December 2004
Hi all.
The complete Rhode Island contingent has arrived safely in country.

The folks were thrilled with the care package and could not believe your
generosity. Some of the movies have already been put to good use and we are getting the play station set up now. When things slow down a bit we'll put together some photos for you and the kids at the school. I will be passing out the cards and letters as we do our Christmas prep.

The flying is very dangerous but at least we get to sleep in a relatively safe place.

Our best to all and thank you again for your thoughts and generosity.

Larry
Lawrence P. Gallogly, COL, RIANG
143 Operations Group Commander

 

Some of our favorite letters of thanks from our troops and their families.
We appreciate it so much when they take the time to write to us.