HARTFORD, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS)— Wisconsin woman has packaged up over 13,000 care packages for Wisconsin men and women serving overseas.

This holiday season she is hoping to reach a goal of sending out 400 boxes for Christmas.

Packing thousands of boxes is what LeAnn Boudwine spends her free time doing. She’s packing care packages for troops overseas.

“We can send them little bits of home. little bits of Wisconsin. to let them know that Wisconsin cares about them… that’s why we do this,” Support the Troops Founder, LeAnn Boudwine said.

 

 

She says when it comes to the boxes, it all starts with the basics. They fill the boxes with toiletries, food items, snacks, and other necessary items for those serving our country. She says they are all items that they are in need of while deployed.

“You know just basics. I’m. not sending 100 dollar bills but I bet sometimes it feels like it to them when they open a box and say wow, I got pop tarts,” Boudwine said.

This idea to pack boxes filled with love and send them off to strangers, didn’t just come out of thin air. Boudwine has two sons who were in the military and got their fair share of care packages from their mom.

She saw how much they meant to her sons, so she decided to make a difference in other soldiers lives.

“They told me about people who didn’t get care packages and as a mom I just didn’t understand,” Boudwine said.

It’s now been 14 years since she started sending packages and she’s taken on the roll of mom to many men and women serving our country.

All of the goods that are packed in these boxes are donations. The only way Boudwine. And her team could afford to do this is through donations from the community.

 

 

Scott Lawrence is a Navy Reservist, he is also a volunteer who helps pack care packages. He says it’s a no brainer to give back because, he knows exactly what these men and women need since he has lived it.

“A lot of times you may go three of four days without a shower. Deodorant, any toiletry items you think that people would have this stuff… but they don’t,” Navy Reservist, Scott Lawrence said.

This time of year, each box is carefully packed and topped with a little something special for the holidays. They add a stocking with some fun items and some Christmas cards so they can mail some back to their family back in Wisconsin.

She says it’s all about giving these brave men and women a piece of Wisconsin so they feel a little more at home for the holidays.

 

 

 

 

Interested in donating? Here is a full list of items Support the Troops is in need of:

 

  • Protein Bars, Granola Bars, Cereal Bars
  • Ground coffee - any size
  • Tea, Hot Chocolate
  • Powdered Kool-aid, Gatorade, Crystal Lite
  • Jerky, Slim Jims, Summer Sausage, Beef Sticks
  • Summer Sausage, Canned Ham (small)
  • Trail/Chex Mix
  • Canned Fruit, Dried Fruit, Fruit Snacks
  • Nuts and Raisins
  • Canned Hearty Soup, Ravioli, Stew
  • Dinty Moore
  • Trail Mix, Nuts, Sunflower Seeds
  • Microwave Popcorn
  • Canned Tuna, Chicken (or in packets)
  • Peanut Butter / Jelly (No Glass Please)
  • Crackers, Snack Crackers (cheese, peanut butter)

 

  • Multi-Vitamins, Anti-fungal cream
  • Baby Powder, Foot Powder
  • Hand & Foot warmers
  • Pillow cases, Travel Size Pillows
  • Flashlights, Headlamps, Batteries (AA or AAA)
  • Individual serving packets
  • Razors, shaving cream (no aerosol)
  • Deodorant, Foot Powder, Odor Eaters
  • Cool Scarves
  • LifeSavers, Mints, TicTacs, Gum, Hard Candies
  • Tuna Salad kits, Chicken Salad Kits
  • Gel insoles, Foot Creams, Antibiotic creams
  • Small size shampoos, conditioner, mouthwash
  • Lip balm, nail clippers
  • Tide travel size (1 Load) liquid detergent
  • Sun block, Mosquito repellant, Fly trap

 

  • Puzzle Books
  • Hand Held Games
  • Hand held Mini fans, Misters
  • Cards games...UNO, Skip Bo
  • Yahtzee, Board Games
  • Sports equipment, Hacky Sacks
  • Men’s and Women’s White/Black Crew/ Work socks
  • Under Armour Wear T-Shirts Sm., Med., Lg., Xlg.
  • Thong sandals
  • Sun glasses, Safety glasses, Gloves, 72" boot laces
  • Cards & letters of support
  • Handmade kids pictures/ letters
  • I-tunes gift cards
  • International Pre Paid Phone Cards

 

 

For more information on how to donate or nominate someone in need of a care package, Click HERE.