Sussex Correctional sends care packages to soldiers

Twenty-six care packages are on their way to deployed soldiers in Iraq.

Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI) officers, staff and even inmates have been collecting food and toiletry items for the past three weeks, to send to U.S. troops.

“In our daily lives, we have ready access to necessities and small niceties, but our deployed soldiers, while defending our freedom, often go without or wait long stretches for such items,” said Donna Tregoe, the SCI employee who organized the donation drive.  “This kind of need hits close to home because there are several officers employed at SCI who are currently deployed or on active duty.”

The boxes were earmarked for a unit of 112 soldiers based in Fort Hood, TX.  SCI adopted the unit through HeroBox, a non-profit organization that provides unperishable food items, toiletries, DVD’s and moral support to American service members while they’re away from home.

“I am honored to receive this contact from you and your department,” SFC Frank Cash, commander of the troops receiving the care packages, wrote in an e-mail to Tregoe. “The fact that your officers want to do anything or share anything with us from back at home to help our soldiers feel comfortable here is great and much appreciated.”

The boxes of supplies were shipped earlier this week.