Mission Beach Women’s Club sets record for servicewomen’s care packages

by Elizabeth Marie Himchak

The Mission Beach Women’s Club set a new record when its members packed 290 care packages for deployed military women on Veterans Day.

The club’s 16th annual S.O.S. (Support our Servicewomen) Campaign was made possible due to donations from those in the Mission Beach and Pacific Beach communities, which donated money to cover shipping costs and to purchase items. Local students also wrote thank you notes for inclusion in the boxes. Campuses involved included Pacific Beach Elementary, School of the Madeline and Olympic View Elementary in Chula Vista.

The Mission Beach Women's Club members with the 290 care packages they filled on Veterans Day to ship to deployed military women. (Courtesy of MBWC) — The Mission Beach Women’s Club members with the 290 care packages they filled on Veterans Day to ship to deployed military women. (Courtesy of MBWC)

A little over $19,000 was raised, which co-chair Nancy Person said was “the most ever.” The biggest contribution of $5,000 came from the JEM Project.

The care packages were filled with items such as snacks, toiletries, puzzles, books, games, cards, blankets and other things to remind the recipients of home.

Some of the items included in this year's S.O.S. Campaign boxes were puzzle books, blankets and snacks. (Courtesy of MBWC) — Some of the items included in this year’s S.O.S. Campaign boxes were puzzle books, blankets and snacks. (Courtesy of MBWC)

“We beat our previous record of 266,” Person said. “Some locations we know they went to are Japan, Italy, Germany, UAE and more than 70 boxes went to the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr, which is based in Pearl Harbor but currently deployed.

“Many recipients were Marines based out of Miramar,” she added.

The project was led by Person and Sarah Mattinson-Archond and involved the entire club.

This year organizers faced new challenges due to changes in customs requirements. These meant that all boxes had to be identical and there were new reporting requirements.

“Shipthrifty.com, the company that provides our bulk mailing tool, saved us money, time and hassles,” Person said. “We could not have navigated the changes in customs requirements without their guidance and assistance.”

National League of Young Men, La Jolla chapter members assisted with packing this year's S.O.S. Campaign boxes. (Courtesy of MBWC) — National League of Young Men, La Jolla chapter members assisted with packing this year’s S.O.S. Campaign boxes. (Courtesy of MBWC)

In addition to the women’s club members, Person said additional assistance came from 12 volunteers with the National League of Young Men, La Jolla chapter.