U.S. troops serving in Qatar will soon receive a gift from home, thanks to a holiday effort led by the American Red Cross of Idaho and East Oregon and the Idaho Environmental Coalition. The two organizations partnered this November to assemble and ship care packages filled with treats, toiletries and handwritten cards for deployed service members.

Through Operation Holiday Cheer, employees of the Idaho Environmental Coalition gathered cake mixes, snacks, toiletries and other comfort items. More than 20 volunteers, including 16 Idaho Environmental Coalition employees, then packaged the items alongside holiday cards created by Idaho Falls area elementary and high school students. In total, 21 care-package boxes were prepared for shipment overseas.

This marked the second year the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program has collaborated with the Idaho Environmental Coalition on this holiday effort. The Idaho Environmental Coalition is the lead sponsor of the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program in Idaho and East Oregon.

“Many Idaho Environmental Coalition employees have served in the United States military or have family members who have served,” said IEC President and Program Manager Dan Coyne. “The American Red Cross’s effort to care for our troops is a cause very close to our hearts. We are proud to support our troops, especially those who are deployed during the holiday season.”

The care packages will help stock food pantries regularly maintained by Red Cross staff for deployed service members seeking a taste of home. All boxes are expected to arrive in Qatar ahead of the Christmas holiday.

“A small box of goodies and a heartfelt card can brighten a tough day thousands of miles from home,” said Sheila Warner, Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program manager for Idaho and Montana. “We’re grateful to the Idaho Environmental Coalition and the Idaho Falls community for stepping up once again to lift the spirits of the brave men and women serving overseas during the holidays.”

The Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program provides year-round support to service members, veterans and their families across Idaho. This includes emergency communications that help deployed service members return home for critical family events, and resiliency workshops that assist families in managing the emotional challenges of deployment.

To learn more about Red Cross support for military communities, visit redcross.org/SAF.