Care Packages for the Troops

July 2012 Care Packages for the Troops took place at the American Legion Post 56 on July 12. Members of VFW Post 1463 and its Ladies Auxiliary stepped up to the plate once more and covered all aspects of this project from start to finish.

Thirteen Ladies Auxiliary members met at the Post on July 10 to prepare custom shipping forms for the packages. Then, on July 12 our Post veterans and auxiliary members pitched in by shopping for needed items in the morning, moving long tables to the Legion for setup and gathering and sorting all the donated goods.
From late afternoon into the evening we packed the care packages and prepared them for shipping the next day. Legion members and local citizens also helped pack.

The Ladies Auxiliary held a Buddy Poppy event on Memorial Day weekend to raise funds. Donations from that event and from Poppy cans around the Post totaled $575. Therefore we proudly presented a check for $575 to event coordinator Tim Frey to help defray shipping costs.

Commander Ellis has received thank you notes from two of the recipients of the care packages, and you can read them below!



Ladies of the auxiliary prepared customs forms for shipping care packages.




Commander Joel Ellis and Sr. Vice Commander Ron Lantz get hundreds of pairs of socks ready to pack.



Everything is ready for the volunteers.



Auxiliary members present a $575 check to Tim Frey, event coordinator.

Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 12:00 AM
To: 'Joel Ellis'
Cc: Carl Steffy
Subject: Message from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan ...

Mr. Ellis & Mr. Steffy,

My name is Etienne Cavallaro. I am a Chief Warrant Officer and a Blackhawk pilot assigned to the 82ND Combat Aviation Brigade currently deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

I would like to thank you so much for the amazing surprise that awaited me as I came back from R&R. I had 20 care packages from the VFW Post 1463 and American Legion Post 56. Each one of those packages was filled with wonderful items that make such a difference in our day to day lives overseas.

Even though I grew up in France, I consider myself an “adopted son” of Lititz, PA. ……….. I spent my whole R&R enjoying the many stores, restaurants, and community facilities of Lititz. My family had a wonderful year and we are sad that she is going to have to live Lititz for our next assignment. Our combat tour is coming to an end and we should all be home to our families by the end of September.

I look forward finishing my active duty commitment and settling down in Lititz, hopefully within the next couple years, and becoming an active member of your brotherhood of Veterans.

Thank you again for your kindness,
All The Way,
Etienne Cavallaro

Sent: Friday, July 27, 2012 7:41 AM
To: vfwpost1463@dejazzd.com
Subject: Greetings and thanks from USS Vicksburg!

Mr. Ellis,
I wanted to personally write back and say thanks to you and all of the members of the Lititz Springs Post 1463 VFW. It says a lot about a unit that will take time out of its schedule to gather, and mail the various articles you all did.

I know we are all individuals tied together with the common bond of Foreign War. Thank you and all your members for whatever roll they played during their time in the services and their family members who maintained the home front. Most of the time no one was asked. They showed up and answered the call to service. I thank all of you for that. God bless all of you.

Very respectfully,
EMC(SW) Timothy J. Knapp