Surging with care (Printed Dec. 25, 2009)
By Suzanne Hodgson
Staff Writer
Melissa Provencher was working at her printing business during a snowstorm a few weeks ago, trying to come up with new ideas to keep her occupied during the slow season, when an idea dropped on her.
“As long as I’m healthy I have everything I need, but I wanted something the whole community can come together on,” said Provencher, owner of Brown Fox Printing in Kennebunk.
Provencher decided to start a military care package drive, and now is collecting items at six drop-off locations through Jan. 31.
Her goal: enough to fill 25 boxes, bound for Maine soldiers overseas.
“Growing up in a military family, I am fully aware of the sacrifices made by our soldiers. They deserve our support no matter what,” said Provencher in an e-mail to the Post.
A self-described army brat, Provencher lived all over the world as a child and was the daughter of a serviceman. Her father has been sending care packages through SoldiersAngels.org during the past few years. The organization enlists civilians to adopt a soldier and send one letter every week and one care package each month throughout the soldier’s tour of duty.
Provencher says some of the soldiers deployed overseas never receive any mail, and the unexpected packages are a morale booster.
“This care package drive is just a small way to say thank you and support them while they complete their missions,” Provencher said.
Provencher will use her business as well as her brother’s store in Biddeford as the two main drop-off spots. She has supplied thank-you cards at the stores that donors can sign for the servicemen and include in care packages.
Provencher displays the care package boxes with hopes they’ll catch the eyes of customers.
“I didn’t want to force people,” said Provencher.
Many local businesses have offered to serve as drop-off locations and with unexpected donations.
“I figured Tom’s [of Maine] gets hit up all the time for donations,” said Provencher, who wasn’t sure her cause would be noticed. The Kennebunk business donated 70 tubes of toothpaste for care packages.
Another local business is donating boot insoles and a family friend, Dr. Daniel Tubbs of Connecticut, made a monetary donation to help with shipping costs.
The boxes are shipped at a special army rate of $11.95 per package, but all the paperwork has Provencher boxed in.
“You try to do something nice and you run into government paperwork,” joked Provencher.
All shipping labels include a place to list everything inside the boxes, and no general descriptions are allowed.
“You can’t just say a box of candy, it has to be one box of Snickers,” Provencher said.
Provencher is looking for anything that will help make the soldiers know someone cares. The only item not accepted for packages is chocolate, because it will melt.
The drive is looking for batteries, playing cards, peanut butter, hard candy and crossword books, among other items.
Anything donated, even if it isn’t on the list, will be taken at the drop-off locations. Items inappropriate for overseas shipping or items that may not fit into the boxes will be used to boost the spirits of someone closer to home.
“It will get to a charity, it just may not be this charity,” said Provencher. She says she will take any extra items to local charities or food pantries.
Wet wipes are the most requested item so soldiers can keep clean, but the most interesting item on the list is flea collars.
According to Provencher, the soldiers say they want the collars to strap around their boots to keep bugs from getting inside.
“They’re getting eaten alive,” she said, “Can you even imagine?”
The list includes some expensive items such as CDs, DVDs and handheld video games, but most of the items on the list can be found for around $1.
Provencher says many other organizations dedicated to helping the military and their families are available for people who want to help but can’t participate in her drive.
Besides SoldiersAngels.org, The Wounded Heroes Program of Maine aims to help wounded soldiers and their families and OperationTribute.com tries to get a gift for ever military child in New England.
Brown Fox Printing in Kennebunk is located at 58 Portland Road and in Biddeford at 2 Main Street.
Provencher said she has discussed doing more drives in the future along with Café at Lafeyette, The Kennebunk Book Port, Courtney Cleaners and the Seafood Center, the other drop-off points.
Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.
Staff Writer
Melissa Provencher was working at her printing business during a snowstorm a few weeks ago, trying to come up with new ideas to keep her occupied during the slow season, when an idea dropped on her.
“As long as I’m healthy I have everything I need, but I wanted something the whole community can come together on,” said Provencher, owner of Brown Fox Printing in Kennebunk.
Provencher decided to start a military care package drive, and now is collecting items at six drop-off locations through Jan. 31.
Her goal: enough to fill 25 boxes, bound for Maine soldiers overseas.
“Growing up in a military family, I am fully aware of the sacrifices made by our soldiers. They deserve our support no matter what,” said Provencher in an e-mail to the Post.
A self-described army brat, Provencher lived all over the world as a child and was the daughter of a serviceman. Her father has been sending care packages through SoldiersAngels.org during the past few years. The organization enlists civilians to adopt a soldier and send one letter every week and one care package each month throughout the soldier’s tour of duty.
Provencher says some of the soldiers deployed overseas never receive any mail, and the unexpected packages are a morale booster.
“This care package drive is just a small way to say thank you and support them while they complete their missions,” Provencher said.
Provencher will use her business as well as her brother’s store in Biddeford as the two main drop-off spots. She has supplied thank-you cards at the stores that donors can sign for the servicemen and include in care packages.
Provencher displays the care package boxes with hopes they’ll catch the eyes of customers.
“I didn’t want to force people,” said Provencher.
Many local businesses have offered to serve as drop-off locations and with unexpected donations.
“I figured Tom’s [of Maine] gets hit up all the time for donations,” said Provencher, who wasn’t sure her cause would be noticed. The Kennebunk business donated 70 tubes of toothpaste for care packages.
Another local business is donating boot insoles and a family friend, Dr. Daniel Tubbs of Connecticut, made a monetary donation to help with shipping costs.
The boxes are shipped at a special army rate of $11.95 per package, but all the paperwork has Provencher boxed in.
“You try to do something nice and you run into government paperwork,” joked Provencher.
All shipping labels include a place to list everything inside the boxes, and no general descriptions are allowed.
“You can’t just say a box of candy, it has to be one box of Snickers,” Provencher said.
Provencher is looking for anything that will help make the soldiers know someone cares. The only item not accepted for packages is chocolate, because it will melt.
The drive is looking for batteries, playing cards, peanut butter, hard candy and crossword books, among other items.
Anything donated, even if it isn’t on the list, will be taken at the drop-off locations. Items inappropriate for overseas shipping or items that may not fit into the boxes will be used to boost the spirits of someone closer to home.
“It will get to a charity, it just may not be this charity,” said Provencher. She says she will take any extra items to local charities or food pantries.
Wet wipes are the most requested item so soldiers can keep clean, but the most interesting item on the list is flea collars.
According to Provencher, the soldiers say they want the collars to strap around their boots to keep bugs from getting inside.
“They’re getting eaten alive,” she said, “Can you even imagine?”
The list includes some expensive items such as CDs, DVDs and handheld video games, but most of the items on the list can be found for around $1.
Provencher says many other organizations dedicated to helping the military and their families are available for people who want to help but can’t participate in her drive.
Besides SoldiersAngels.org, The Wounded Heroes Program of Maine aims to help wounded soldiers and their families and OperationTribute.com tries to get a gift for ever military child in New England.
Brown Fox Printing in Kennebunk is located at 58 Portland Road and in Biddeford at 2 Main Street.
Provencher said she has discussed doing more drives in the future along with Café at Lafeyette, The Kennebunk Book Port, Courtney Cleaners and the Seafood Center, the other drop-off points.
Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.
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