American Legion Auxiliary in Holtville sending care packages to troops

Close to a hundred years running, the Holtville Chapter of the American Legion Auxiliary, is the forefront in their community to promote support for fallen soldiers, veterans and those in active duty. When Kim Vincent, the president of the auxiliary, received news that there was an urgent need of care packages for troops in the middle east who were without running water and toilet and only MRE’s, she didn’t hesitate.

Vincent said, “we’re pretty excited. We have a lot of support from the community. And our legion members were excited to send essentially some love from home. And we know what they’re going through out there. So it’s very important for us to send these care packages.”

Those who serve overseas especially in isolated areas can’t afford the luxuries that are taken for granted by the average person. Ann Marie Rascon, a mother of son in the armed forces, say “a lot of times, they don’t have that support system that you would have here at home. That I think every little card, every word that I can get in to him, in that little box, I do.”

To some, it’s the least we can do to those who make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Christine Mitchell, President of American Legion El Centro Chapter who was on hand to help says, “for them to really do it for us not knowing us, it’s ok for us to do it knowing that we’re helping them.”

For Justin who’s actively serving, he says care packages does so much for morale especially those who are facing tough times. “You know it gives us that little bit of confidence or a little bit of you know ‘umph’to keep going you know. To let us know that somebody is here. And somebody knows that we’re doing our job.”

Anyone who wants to help donate can do so from 10 a-m to noon tomorrow at the American Legion Auxiliary in Holtville. They’re asking for hotel sized hygiene products and protein bars or monetary donations to help with shipping.