Local nonprofit sends Easter packages to service members overseas

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Around 2,800 United States service members across the world are receiving a special package this Easter.

This is part of Military Missions Operation SEND. Every Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, this nonprofit organizations sends packages to give overseas service members what they call a taste of home.

Mark Roland with Military Missions says for the past 20 years, the organization has sent these packages.

“They can’t, in most cases, walk down to the corner store and grab a snack,” Roland said.

Each package has three different kinds of snacks, hygiene products, clean socks and a hand-written letter.

“We ask everybody to write greeting cards and send greeting cards so that we can forward them, just so that they understand that there are people that care that are willing to express that,” Roland said.

In return, the organization often receives letters of gratitude expressing how important these cards are, especially during the holiday season.

Roland says everything the organizations does wouldn’t be possible without the community.

“We are not nationwide, this is a Lexington-based homegrown grassroots program that really depends upon community support, and for 20 years, the community has been extremely supportive,” he said.

The organization is now preparing for their next round of packages to be sent out for Independence Day. They’re always in need of more help.

Visit this link for more information.

ABC 36 News Now is a proud partner with Military Missions