LEXINGTON, Ky. — For almost twenty years, Lexington Military Missions have ramped up its charitable goals around the holidays, like packaging up items and requesting extra donations for their warehouse.
Dan Koett with Military Missions says volunteers and donations are the driving force behind their work.
“This is a 100% volunteer-led and volunteer-driven organization. So no paid staff. The volunteers range from the folks you see here today getting care packages together and then also our board of directors.” Koett explained.
Items like snacks, clothes and personal hygiene products are collected to go out at different times of the year.
Their goal this year is to reach nearly 6,000 soldiers through fundraising events, letters, donation drives, and more. Donations like toothpaste, soap, and hair cleansers are needed.
Right now, the group is welcoming hands to help and those items of appreciation. Another way people can help is by donating their Kroger rewards points to a soldier and their loved ones.
Koett says “A Taste of Home” was started by Military Missions’ founder, Catherine Pennington, who is also the mom of a soldier. She wants to support other soldiers like he son with care packages.
She first made care packages for her son’s unit and expanded to a nonprofit in 2004.
Now, people around the city are making an effort to show their gratitude.
“Our students always participated in packing the care packages that go out to the troops. But the letters have always been a part of that. That process, hands-on, always helps. Of course, you know, coming and seeing, you know, the gifts that are going out to our veterans help make it real for them,” Jessie Clark Middle School teacher Shawna Peake said. She has kept her students involved with the mission over the years.
The group says next to physical donations, monetary support makes a big difference in items they can purchase.