Imagine being out in the middle of nowhere and needing toothpaste or new socks. That happens every day to American men and women serving abroad in harm’s way. Joycelyn S., an ABO Operations Support team member at the Irving campus volunteers with Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas, a nonprofit that ships care packages to troops in remote areas overseas.
Donated goods and financial support enable Joycelyn and her fellow volunteers to hold packing parties every six to eight weeks. “We ship about 2,700 care packages to 12,000 troops every year,” she said. Items regularly shipped include body wash, lip balm, twin sheets, phone cards, batteries, nuts, peanut butter, coffee and beef jerky. “We’ve also sent power drills and microwaves,” said Joycelyn.
Joycelyn prepares the shipping labels and makes sure information is correct for Customs. She has been involved with Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas for eight years and volunteers 10 hours a month. The organization, which has no paid staff, was founded in 2005 when a flight attendant met a young soldier on his way to Iraq. Hearing the soldier’s family did not have the resources to send him care packages made a strong impact on the flight attendant.
The group often receives thanks for the deliveries and some of the troops continue to keep in touch. “They become our family and friends,” said Joycelyn. And, we’ve even had service men and women volunteer for us after they return from deployment.”
“I’ve always been interested in giving back and I really wanted to help provide some comfort and relief to soldiers who give so much up for us,” said Joycelyn.
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| "Angel" Joycelyn, on the right, along with other Allstate employees writing thank you notes to the troops. |
