Community Corner

Deerfield Packs 150 Care Packages for Troops Abroad

Residents spend evening stuffing boxes for servicemen overseas.

Since 2005 in Deerfield has shipped more than 6,000 care packages to American troops serving abroad.

About every two months, residents spend an evening at the church stuffing boxes for servicemen. Tuesday, was the program’s 36th troop care packaging event.   

“People don’t realize a lot of the kids in the military do not always have a lot of family support,” Deerfield mom Nuala Kurokawa said.

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“They need to know that they’re important and appreciated,” Highland Park resident Cissy Singleton added.

Kurokawa and Singleton originally teamed up to organize the program when they both had family members serving abroad. Kurokawa’s son was stationed in Iraq while Singleton’s nephew was a Navy Seal. 

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“It troubles us that people don’t care as much anymore,” Kurokawa said, so they’ve continued events even though both of their family members are back at home. 

On Tuesday, the church was packed with personal care items for the troops as well as books, magazines, and several different snacks. Two soldiers on the list to receive this round of packages are from Deerfield. They are both currently stationed in Afghanistan.  

Each package is valued around $40 and it costs another $10.95 for shipping, money extremely well spent both local residents emphasized.

“The most popular item is probably the socks,” Kurokawa commented and was once told by a soldier, “It was like getting gold.”

If you’re interested in getting involved, contact St. Gregory’s for more information by . 


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