So I've been swimming in care package supplies for the last week, but I've finally reclaimed my living room after taking the last ones to the post office this morning.  I used one of my "charitable leave" PTO days from work last Wednesday and spent the day preparing various care packages... 23 of them to be exact.  In one week!  That's a new record for me and I've been sending out care packages to deployed troops through Books For Soldiers since oh... 2002 I think.  It's pretty cool because some of my coworkers out of the blue gave me money to use to help pay for supplies and shipping costs.  It actually enabled me to send out more care packages than I would have otherwise been able to afford. :o)

It's funny because I don't actually know anyone who's in the military, let alone serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.  There are a lot of people who ask me why I do it - why I send care packages and support letters to people I don't even know.  I can't possibly explain it better than my fellow BFS volunteer, EllenH, so I'll just quote her instead:

"...these are guys & gals my age, from where I live, who are in this scary and awful situation every single day, while I go about my life.  These are folks who represent ME, and the citizens of this country, and are fighting & dying for it.  {snip}  ...The absolute luxury of having the freedom to choose not to be in the military brings an obligation to do everything else possible to support the brave men & women who make the choice to serve."