Justin filling spirit-lifting packages for military service members.
By Lori Baker, Communications Volunteer
The American Red Cross of Southern Arizona helped arrange Girl Scout cookie deliveries for service members to lift spirits and bring them a taste of home.
The Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona provided the cookies, which were purchased and donated by southern Arizona residents through the Care to Share program. More than 43,000 boxes of cookies were sent to heroes and the Red Cross helped distribute hundreds of those boxes locally and overseas.
“The American Red Cross of Southern Arizona was grateful to be one of the recipients to receive the generous gift of cookies to recognize local heroes like active-duty military, their families and veterans,” said Courtney Slanaker, Red Cross of Southern Arizona Executive Director.
With eight pallets of cookies, the Red Cross honored local heroes through the Service to the Armed Forces and Disaster Cycle Services as well as blood/platelet donors across Arizona.
About 300 Luke Air Force Base service members received 600-plus boxes of cookies in varying shops from the weather station to the control tower and supporting squadrons.
To deliver the cookies, Craig Bryant, a Military Treatment Facility volunteer at Luke Air Force Base and a Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces volunteer, coordinated with Laura Yoon, Red Cross Arizona and New Mexico Regional Program Manager for Service to the Armed Forces and International Services.
As a military retiree, Bryant wants to give back to the community so he became a Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces volunteer about 18 months ago.
Red Cross compiled packages with Girl Scout Cookies and Black Rife Coffee to be delivered to U.S. Service members serving overseas, active-duty military and their families, and local veterans.
“I encourage people to volunteer because of the camaraderie, the friends you can make, and the impact you can make on people’s lives when they are at their worst,” Bryant said.
Justin Cavinder, Service to the Armed Forces volunteer, helped pack and send out about 80 care packages filled with not only boxes of cookies but also Black Rifle Coffee to the troops overseas. He and Yoon traveled around Arizona to multiple locations and gave cookies to local military, fire, and police.
“In the four months I worked with the Red Cross, I had the privilege of working with some wonderful people, " he said.
Each box of cookies packed and shipped carried more than a sweet treat. It carried a reminder of home. Through this effort, the American Red Cross of Arizona and New Mexico helped share comfort, gratitude, and connection with service members near and far. It’s a small gesture with a big message: you’re remembered, appreciated, and never far from home.
Justin with some of the boxes all packed and ready to boost morale!
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