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Local Care Packages Headed To Iraq
December 16, 2009
Several Christmas care packages are on their way to American troops serving in Iraq thanks to the North Escambia community’s willingness to help a Molino woman with her project.
Katie Hilburn’s fiancee, Spc. Ben Piatt, also of Molino, is two months into his tour of duty as a combat engineer in northern Iraq. He is schedule to be in Iraq until October of next year.
After hearing about the soldiers’ needs, Hilburn decided to send the care packges to Piatt’s unit in Iraq during the Christmas season. After a NorthEscambia.com article about her project, the donations started to roll in. At least two radio stations, Cat Country 98.7 and WXBM, also joined in the promotional effort after reading the story.
“People are still bringing stuff in. the community has helped so much and a big thanks to everyone,” Hilburn said Tuesday night. “I can’t explain how it makes me feel to be able to help our troops. This is something that started out small and turned into big. Some of the soldiers have told me how much it means to have letters from home and to get care packages, and it’s just an amazing feeling to be able to make their day better.”
The first round of donations are on their way to Iraq, but Hilburn will continue to collect more supplies for soldiers at a collection box at veteran-owned Cole’s Barbershop in Molino. Cole’s is located next to Fran’s Country Grill on Highway 29.
Items being collected include:
Body Care
Mens liquid body soap
Shampoo
Baby wipes
Q-tips
Shaving cream
Razors
Foot powder
Chap stick
Food
Ramen noodles (in the cup)
Beef jerky
Cereal bars
Peanuts
Cookies, candy bars
Crystal Light (peach tea, lemon tea)
Popcorn (microwavable)
Saltine crackers
Peanut butter
Fruit cups
Macaroni and cheese (in a cup)
Miscellaneous
Playing cards
DVD’s
Magazine’s (hunting, fishing, guns, sports)
Games
International phone cards
Pictured top: Katie Hilburn an care packages bound for Iraq. Pictured top inset: Spc. Piatt in Iraq. Pictured bottom inset: Some of the care packages. Pictured below: Items donated by the community. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
4 Responses to “Local Care Packages Headed To Iraq”
Hey JW, if you send me your address, I will make sure I send you stuff.
katie_hilburn@yahoo.com
Come home soon and BE SAFE!
We can all send things. I have a son in Iraq, and I make sure there is plenty of items to spread among his unit. It helps to send thank you cards with signatures and warm wishes, I sent a few boxes of cards my co workers and friends signed and told my son to make sure everyone around seen the cards.
Hey, ya’ll could send some of those over here to Afghanistan if ya want, LOL. God Bless you folks, great job!
This is Great! A Friend of mine is in Kawait and i just sent him a Package… I cant wait for him to get it! and know that he has friends that really care about him!