Operation Shoebox Ships One Millionth Care Package

Operation Shoebox is about to ship its one millionth package to American troops stationed overseas and the Postal Service plays an important role in this important project.

“We are proud to be a partner with Operation Shoebox,” says Brenda Billingsley, Postmaster, Summerfield, FL.  “To date, the program has generated more than $157,000 in revenue for the Postal Service."

Operation Shoebox delivers its packages to several Florida Post Offices (Summerfield, Belleview and Ocala, FL) which makes for a busy day for local employees.

Operation Shoebox, was founded by Mary Harper in 2003, Belleview Florida, to send support to servicemen and women deployed overseas to raise their morale. This mission is accomplished with care packages, letters, and bulk shipping of items that can be beneficial to soldiers during their deployment.  

This organization is composed of more than 1,300 dedicated volunteers in three locations and also volunteers all across the USA that assist in accomplishing their mission. There are a few different programs they have to assist the troops:

• Care Packages: which contain snacks, hygiene and stationary packets
• Wounded Warrior Program: provides bags filled with a change of clothes, socks, hygiene bag, calling card, get well card and stationary items.
•  Toys and Schools Supplies: to assist our troops in their humanitarian efforts to supply children in the areas that they are deployed with toys and school supplies to create good will among the people of these countries.
• Troops for Teachers: pairing Teachers and their classrooms in the USA with volunteer troops deployed outside the USA. The children learn about the geographical area the troop is serving as well as his/her experiences.

For more information about Operation Shoebox, visit their website at: http://operationshoebox.com/