Seminole, FL (July 5, 2018) – The local nonprofit Operation: Military Matters had more than 35 volunteers of all ages come out to Realty Experts in Seminole to help pack 207 care packages for the US military overseas. The nonprofit recently received a $200 grant from the Royal Neighbors Difference Maker Fund Program. As part of their grant they held a packing party with volunteers to show community support of their project.
Operation: Military Matters is a 501 (c) (3) and was started in November 2015, by 12-year-old Graci Tubbs as part of a school project after World War II and Vietnam veterans spoke to students at a school Veterans Day assembly. Tubbs felt the need to support our active military and let the men and women sacrificing their lives, know people back home cared about them.
Tubbs collects donations from the community to put in the care packages. The items include: toiletry items, snacks, hard candy, chewing gum, cheese or peanut butter crackers, small canned fruits, flavored water tablets, powdered drinks, microwave popcorn, feminine hygiene products, lip balm, sunscreen, socks, flushable wipes, games, instant coffee, creamer, Romen noodles, beef jerky, tuna or salmon packs, tea, gallon zip lock bags, sandwich zip lock bags, hand lotion, trail mix etc. There are donation sites throughout Pinellas County.
Since 2015, Tubbs has raised $28,000 and more than 800 care packages have been sent around the world. Each package costs $16.15 to send not including the items inside the care package. To find out more about Operation: Military Matters to their website at www.operationmilitarymatters.com
Photo attached: Volunteers gather in front of the 207 care packages they packed for the military overseas
###