Every Christmas the Military Moms Prayer Group
organizes a drive to send gift packages to the troops to let them know
that they are not forgotten. The gift program, known as Holidays for Heroes,
has generated an avalanche of community support, with donations of
food and other items from throughout Indian River County and
beyond. Local elementary school children have contributed
hundreds of handmade cards. Since 2006, more than 22,500 packages have
reached the troops deployed to war zones and at sea in time for the
holidays, thanks to this community-wide outreach.
“I wanted to let you know I received 4 more care boxes. Man, you should see the smiles on people’s faces when I bring in a box and tell them to enjoy. They’re so happy. God bless you all!” - e-mail from Afghanistan
PICK UP A MAILING KIT, FILL AND MAIL A HOLIDAY BOX.
Pick up a mailing kit through December 15 at any of these Vero Beach locations:
Barker Electric Air Conditioning, Heating & Sheet Metal, 1936 Commerce Avenue
Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church, 3755 Hwy A1A
Christ Church Vero Beach, 667 20th Street (corner Sixth Avenue)
Christi’s Fitness, 1250 Old Dixie Highway
Cross Fit, 760 8th Ct., Suite 4
Do It Yourself Pest Control, 827 8th Street
Eye Clinic of Vero & Optical Boutique: Dr. Joyce Desrosiers, 634 21st St. (Miracle Mile Plaza)
Florida Woman Care: Dr. James Presley, 1000 37th Place, Suite 105
I'll Never Tell, 3351 Ocean Drive
Nail Art, 1355 U.S. Highway 1 #5 (next to Five Guys)
Pak Mail, 505 Beachland Blvd.
Postal Connections, 1275 U.S. Hwy 1 #2/12th Street Plaza (behind Carrabbas)
Royal Day Spa, 99 Royal Palm Pointe
Saint Paul’s Church, 999 Flamevine Lane
Studio 14, 1962 14th Avenue
Temp Control, 686 2nd Lane (South of 4th Street off Old Dixie)
The UPS Store, Treasure Coast Plaza on the Miracle Mile (behind TooJays)
Victory Center, the Veteran's Council's storefront at the Indian River Mall
A soldier in Afghanistan gives a thumbs up to
packages that poured into his unit from residents of Indian River
County and beyond, thanks to the Military Moms Prayer Group's Holidays
for Heroes drive.
Other ways you can support Holidays For Heroes:
Make a contribution to Military Moms Prayer Group, Inc.
to support shipping costs. The cost per box is $18.40 (USPS flat-rate
cost for mailing to a military address). Mail donations to: Military
Moms Prayer Group, Inc., P.O. Box 643511, Vero Beach, FL 32964.
The Top Treats Our Troops Want Most
Socks (black or white)
Nuts (individually packaged)
Cookies (boxed or individually wrapped)
Crackers (individually wrapped)
Protein bars
Beef jerky/Slim Jims
Hard Candy
Chewing Gum
Small board games
Electronic games (with batteries)
Books and magazines