Hawkeye Reporter

The Iowa chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America has assembled more than 200 care packages for Iowa soldiers in active duty, which is a record for the organization that creates the packages each year, according to We Are Iowa.

For several months the organization has been receiving donations, and on Saturday, Nov. 13, volunteers went to the Gold Star Military Museum in Johnston where they packed everything up to start shipping to troops, both those who have been deployed and those who are stationed far from home domestically. For the past five years, Southeast Polk Middle Schooler Andrew Alatorre has raised money for the care packages.

“My brother is in the Marines currently, and my mom wanted to do this for my brother, and for all my brother’s friends,” Alatorre said to We Are Iowa.

The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum released a photo of Jackie and Herman Poggensee putting together shipping boxes prior to being packaged by the Blue Star Mothers. They said they will be sent over the holidays.

The packages contain various necessities for the soldiers, but also include things like movies, Girl Scout cookies and other items like personal hygiene products and handmade stockings, according to WHO13. WHO13 reported that donations came from all over and included 15 cases of Girl Scout cookies, as Girl Scouts from Indianola were among the many volunteers who assisted with donations and packaging. 

Chapter President Jen Fletcher said that aside from Independence Day and Christmas, this is her favorite day of the year. She said it warms her heart to know there are still good people out there like Alatorre.

“Just being a part of such a good, warm effort and knowing you're helping people who who can't be with their families over Christmas,” Fletcher said, We Are Iowa reported. “It's just very heartwarming.”

The packages will be sent to military personnel from Iowa, according to WHO13, and they will be delivered in the next couple weeks.