Since 2014, caring volunteers have procured, packed and shipped several hundred care packages to service members from our area, like the one pictured here. Paying for all the thoughtful items included in the packages is achieved through donations and fund
Kosse Cares to Pack Boxes for Military this Weekend
Kosse Cares has a busy weekend ahead, with plans to raffle off 10 guns and to assemble care packages that they will ship to active military men and women with ties to this area, just in time for the holiday season.
“The boxes are packed by local volunteers who truly care about our military. Many served themselves or have spouses or children who served,” said Board President Michelle Latray. “Those who served know what these care packages mean to our young men and women who are serving in far off places, many spending the holidays without their family - it’s a tiny piece of home that arrives at their ship or barracks and says ‘Someone loves you in Limestone County’. For some, that box is their only holiday gift.”
The organization will pack 75 boxes on Sunday, Nov. 14 at Living Proof Church in Groesbeck with all kinds of goodies, gift cards, snacks and more, but volunteers and donations are still needed.
“We can always use help but there is a volunteer age of 14+ due to the required attention to details,” Latray said. “We also need cards, kids drawings, and letters addressed to “Dear Service Member” - just something light and cheery thanking them for their service. We can also use small office supplies such as pens and small notepads if anyone would like to donate those.”
To cover the cost of shipping the boxes (about $21 per box) and to supplement other needed items to complete the care packages, the organization raises funds through an annual gun raffle. 300 tickets are sold at $50 each and some are still available for purchase from community members Brandi Getz, Shawn Perkins, as well as from Latray herself. Several different makes and models of guns are up for grabs, and winners will be selected on Saturday.
“Anyone who wants to join us at Kamdan’s Cafe Saturday can come to watch us draw names at 1:30 pm and perhaps eat a burger or something else delicious there,” Latray said. “Kamdans is a huge supporter of Kosse Cares, and we are fortunate to have other local people, businesses, and organizations donate or lend a hand each year.”
Raffle tickets can also be bought on their website ( www.kossecares.org/) , where you can also sign up to make a one-time donation or recurring contributions to the organization. To learn more about this organization and how you can get involved, contact Michelle Latray directly or through the site.