Group hosting event for military spouses
By Josh Ellerbrock
Published in News on May 4, 2014 1:50 AM
In an effort to honor the people who stand beside those who wear the nation's uniform, Support Military Spouses, a local non-profit, will host a "Shoebox Delivery" event at the North Carolina Community Federal Credit Union May 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
"These spouses are heroes on the home front. They're taking care of the family at home," said Tristan Bailey, the organization's communications coordinator. "On average, they have to move 14 times. Many of these women are moving from town to town with two or three children."
During the event, Support Military Spouses will be handing out shoeboxes full of gifts and goodies -- lotions, soaps, gift cards, a Bible and more.
Typically, the organization makes deliveries at Camp Lejeune, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Fort Bragg, but this year, the Shoebox Delivery was set-up as a larger event in an attempt to bring in more spouses, Mrs. Bailey said.
Wives and husbands aren't required to register for the event. They can just stop by and grab a gift.
And each care package will come with a "caring card" -- one of the 5,861 creations of schoolchildren throughout Wayne, Greene, Pitt and Lenoir counties.
Several Wayne County schools -- Rosewood Elementary, North Drive Elementary, Carver Heights Elementary, School Street Elementary, Spring Creek Elementary, Northeast Elementary and Rosewood High -- participated in the effort.
"The cards are beautiful," Mrs. Bailey said. "Sometimes, they would say 'Thank you for all you do for the country,' or 'We support you,' 'I love you,' 'You're my hero.'"
For more information about Support Military Spouses or to sign up for or donate to the May 16 event, visit www.supportmilitaryspouses.org