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The Redwood City Elks Lodge No. 1991 — a local nonprofit, community service organization — recently enlisted the help of volunteers to put together care boxes and bags for deployed troops and in-need veterans.
A total of over 120 volunteers from various community groups were assembled by the Redwood City Elks to pack the various care packages.
Redwood City Elks Exalted Ruler and U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Tom Giannini — who, along with Elks First Lady Carol Bagley, reached out and assembled the volunteers for this cause — says that he felt immense gratitude when he received his first care box while he was deployed in Afghanistan, which inspired Giannini to do the same for others.
“I vowed then that when I returned to the States, I would pass it forward and do the same for future deployed troops," said Giannini.
The community groups that provided volunteers to assist with the cause included the Bay District Lodges, American Legion Post #105 Redwood City Family’s Legionnaires and Auxiliary, San Mateo County Blue Star Moms, Operation Care and Comfort, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Boy Scouts of America, the Redwood City Young Men’s Service League, as well as the Redwood City Elks organizations itself.
Over 200 care boxes were constructed in support of the troops. Each packed box contained socks, canned goods, non-perishable snacks, fiction and activity books, toiletries, as well as personal notes displaying appreciation.
According to the Redwood City Elks, the care boxes will be shipped over to the deployed troops in time for the holidays.
In addition, the large group of volunteers also packed 170 care bags in support of veterans. Each of the care bags will be distributed by local veteran organizations to veterans that are in need.
