Our names are Avery Harris, Evelyn Casilio, and Penelope Fancher and we are from Pacific Beach Middle School and for our community service project for our 8th grade year is making welcome baskets for new military families of the San Diego community.
Moving is always hard, but moving to San Diego can be a financial and emotional challenge for our military families. We're stepping in to make their welcome warm, and their first days stress-free.
Military families move every 2–3 years through a stressful process called a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). While the military helps with the movers, families face thousands of dollars in unreimbursed, out-of-pocket costs.
When they finally arrive in high-cost San Diego, they often spend days or weeks in an empty house or temporary lodging, waiting for their belongings to catch up. This means:
No basic cleaning supplies or pantry staples.
High costs from eating every meal out.
No knowledge of where the closest doctor, grocery store, or park is.
They are heroes who serve our country—they shouldn't have to start their new chapter feeling alone or financially strained.
We are partnering with many different organizations in the San Diego area to greet these families at their key-turn with a Welcome Basket.
This isn't just a gift; it's a lifeline of immediate relief and a genuine connection to their new community. Every basket is packed with essentials, saving families time, stress, and money on their first day.
Follow us on our Instagram: @SDMilitaryWelcome to keep up with our progress!
Organizer
Evelyn Casilio
Organizer
San Diego, CA