Shenandoah Valley to Send Care Packages to Deployed Military Personnel

Shenandoah Valley High School’s Student Council is working on a  project to send care packages to deployed military personnel.

They are collecting items to package as part of Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization that works to send care packages to U.S. veterans and active military around the world. Katilyn Hepler and Emily Demalis, two Shenandoah Valley seniors, are co-leading the collection drive, which they are calling “Helping Our Heroes.”

Katilyn Hepler stated, “I was inspired to create the ‘Helping Our Heroes’ project, because of my experience at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference as a sophomore. At the leadership seminar, we packed and sent over eighty military care packages overseas. This, along with my family members who served in the military (my dad, who is a U.S. Army veteran, my grandpa, who is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, and my uncle who is a U.S. Air Force veteran) encouraged me to host a local collection drive.”

Emily Demalis said, “I’ve seen personally how much my Uncle Joe has sacrificed to serve our country, and I want to be able to give back to those who have given us so much.” Demalis’ uncle served in the Air Force.

Katilyn Hepler, Emily Demalis, the Student Council, and their advisor, Anthony Pytko, will be working toward collecting items for the military care packages in January to send sometime in February. Katilyn Hepler indicated that they are planning to ask local businesses to help by displaying drop off boxes. When all of the items are gathered they will be shipped to Operation Gratitude’s headquarters and distributed from there.

Katilyn Hepler said, “Our goal is to help lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of the military and first responder communities. We want to express our appreciation for all who serve our nation, and want others in our community to be given the same opportunity to give thanks.”

Here is a list of items they will be collecting:

All Purpose Wipes (Single & 30ct Packs or Less)
Batteries (“AA” and/or “AAA”)
Deodorant (Travel Size, non-aerosol)
Drink Mix (Individual Serving Packets)
Gum
Hand Warmers
Jerky (Individual Bags)
Lip Balm
Pencils (Mechanical preferred)
Playing Cards
Powder (Travel Size)
Puzzle Books (7″x10″ preferred size)
Sewing Kits (Travel size)
Socks (Black Crew Length)
Sunscreen (Travel Size, non-aerosol)
Personal Letters (These are greatly appreciated)

Story by Megan A. Hepler

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