William Martin III is spending his spring collecting Pop-Tarts, granola bars, and travel-sized shampoo for people he’s never met. In early May, those items will be packed into boxes and shipped across the world to U.S. troops who could use a morale boost.
Martin, a Life Scout from Oak Lawn, is working toward the rank of Eagle Scout by organizing a care package drive through Mrs. Jacky’s Soldiers, a longtime volunteer effort that supports deployed military personnel.
“I’m working with Mrs. Jacky’s Soldiers to put together care packages for local soldiers who are currently serving overseas,” Martin said. “During the month of April, I’m asking businesses and members of the community to donate items we can include in the packages.”
He also set up an Amazon Wishlist to make it easier for family and supporters outside the area to contribute. In early May, Martin plans to gather with his troop, friends, and family to assemble the care packages. Any money raised will help cover the cost of postage.
“This is a way to give back to our troops and my community,” Martin said. “These boxes remind soldiers that someone back home is thinking about them.”
The care package drive connects Martin to a tradition that began with a single box in 2003. That year, Jacky Connelly, known by many as “Mrs. Jacky,” learned that the mother of one of her preschool students was being deployed to Iraq. She organized a collection to send snacks and comfort items. One box turned into several. Donations kept coming in, along with more names of deployed soldiers.
Connelly’s father served in World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Her mother wrote to him almost daily during his deployment. She said her father credited those letters with lifting his spirits.
“She always said the mail helped him get through it,” Connelly said. “This is my way of paying it forward.”
Now entering its 23rd year, Mrs. Jacky’s Soldiers continues to send care packages every other week to troops stationed in Germany, Romania, and aboard Navy vessels. The project is powered by community volunteers and supported by the VFW Auxiliary 5220.
Boxes are typically filled with snacks like trail mix, cookies, beef jerky, and non-melting candy. Single-serve drink mixes, oatmeal packs, peanut butter, and microwavable meals are also popular. Soap, toothpaste, wipes, and sunscreen are included in separate hygiene boxes.
Due to postal regulations, liquid items must be 4.5 ounces or less, and pork products and coffee are not allowed.
Collection boxes are located throughout the southwest suburbs, including St. Mark Lutheran Church, the Worth and Oak Lawn libraries, Oak Lawn High School, local village halls, Kraft Fitness in Crestwood, and the Marrs-Meyer American Legion post.
On May 2, volunteers will gather at St. Mark Lutheran Church to pack and prepare the shipments. Martin said he’s looking forward to seeing the final boxes leave the church and head overseas.
“I could’ve picked anything for my Eagle project,” he said. “But this felt like it mattered.”