Somewhere in the Middle East, 150 members of the United States Air Force celebrated an unforgettable Independence Day, thanks to the generosity and support of all those who contributed to The Reston Chorale’s 2019 Operation Care Package.
The Reston Chorale’s fifth annual care package drive kicked off on May 25 at the Chorale’s patriotic concert -- "A Star-Spangled Salute" -- at Reston Town Center. Within weeks, we received and shipped a record-setting 572 pounds of care package donations to Airmen and women serving far from home. The packages included:
The makings of a festive Fourth of July – complete with s’mores fixin’s, Girl Scout cookies, snacks, lemonade mix and water flavorings, patriotic décor and party favors (including enough glow sticks to light up a runway), lightweight sports equipment, hand-crafted thank you cards, and much more;
More than 6,700 coffee, tea and hot chocolate k-cup pods – specially requested by the unit’s previous commander because, as he put it, “This unit flies 24/7, and caffeine really helps fuel the fight.”
The comforts of home, including new socks, fresh sheets, soft toilet tissue, and anti-itch powders and creams, plus board games and playing cards, batteries, books and magazines.
It was, in the words of the unit commander, “an amazing amount of love and support!” We completely agree.
The Reston Chorale thanks all those who donated care package items, created thank you cards, helped cover shipping costs, and provided logistical support, including the staff and clients of Bodies in Motion and Crunch Fitness, the Graduate Management Admission Council -- which donated their entire supply of k-cup pods -- Charm City Concierge and Reston Town Center. Special thanks to Northrop Grumman for underwriting The Reston Chorale’s "A Star-Spangled Salute."
The care and support shared through The Reston Chorale’s Operation Care Package will be felt and remembered for months and years to come.
Ruth Ann Pinkman
President, The Reston Chorale