ARC Support The Troops Care Packages

We, invite YOU to help us the Ahwatukee (ARC) Support The Troops committee to be able to continue to send care packages to our military men and women deployed or stationed around the world.  The organization at Luke AFB that shipped our care packages since November 2008 can no longer provide that generous service.  So, we need to reach out to you to join us in continuing to get those care packages to our troops, twice a year, the December holiday season  and in April.
 Ahwatukee Recreation Center (ARC),  is in a senior living community in Phoenix, AZ.  This volunteer campaign is created on behalf of the Co-founders, Barbara LeChaix (President), Rosemary Schilz,  Lauretta Carlson,  Amy Nicholls and the ARC Support The Troops committee.  Our  e-mail address is:  [email redacted]


The boxes are filled with beef jerky, tooth brushes, tooth paste, paperback books/ games, pencils, t-shirts, socks, handi-wipes, chap stick, coffee/beverage packets, mac'n cheese, cups of soups, hard candy, Frisbee or small football, etc., The holiday care packages are topped off with a handmade Christmas stocking.  Both the Christmas and April care packages have a letter from a child that attends one of the local schools and a personal greeting from us.

                          
100% of donations go toward the care package items and shipping.  It costs approximately  $21.00 to fill & secure each box & approximately $19.00 to ship each care package.  The ARC Support The Troops committee and all the volunteers usually send 150 boxes twice a year.  All the packing and hauling is done by volunteers from the ARC community and friends.
                                                           
I remember when I was on active duty, some of the days and nights were very challenging and stressful but when you get a package from home, you are so excited that you shake it (a little), open it up and there you have a box filled with Uno cards, a ball, etc., lots of popcorn (to protect the cookies from destroying themselves) and chocolate chip cookies!  Well the cookies were all crumbs by the time I got them but those crumbs lifted my spirits and made me laugh.  That little kindness from home was shared with my squad bay buddies! We all enjoyed the crumbs, we laughed together, played cards and enjoyed knowing that someone back home knows we are here and cares about us.  Has that ever happened to you when you were away in school, training opportunities, moved away from home when that little bit of love fell into your arms and boosted your morale?  What a feeling, right?
  Please think about these courageous military men and women in places and situations that you are so glad that you do not have to be in, thanks to them.

Please help us to pick up our military men and women's spirits with a little love from back home.

   
This is why we do what we do!
                         
 
It is our honor to be able to contribute to the morale & welfare of our military men & women.  We appreciate your precious time that you spent in visiting with us here.  Please consider contributing to the ARC Support The Troops Care Packages.  We hope you will share our campaign with family, friends, co-workers, church and social groups so we may continue to reach our commitment to the troops.

Hand-in-hand with each other, we will continue with this heart filled mission of getting those care packages to our troops.  You are so appreciated and we thank you.
            
At this time we are not a 501(c)(3) organization therefore "contributions or gifts to The ARC Support The Troops are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes".  Please note that every dollar that you donate goes into the cost of purchasing supplies and to send the care packages overseas to our military men & women.    
              
Thank you again on behalf of those who Serve Our Country.