Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. -- With boxes decorated in green four-leaf clovers and bedazzled stars and filled with small creature comforts from home, the Crazy Care Package program allowed families to make packages to send to deployed Marines and Sailors, Feb. 27.
The Crazy Care Package event is scheduled and planned monthly.
“Each month of the Crazy Care Package program comes with a different theme,” said Jennifer Row, Lifestyle Insight Networking Knowledge and Skills trainer with Marine Corps Family Team Building.
Marine Corps Air Station New River Family Team Building hosts the event each month. Families can come in and put together care packages for their deployed service members, free of charge.
“We have all of the packaging supplies, such as flat-rate boxes, tape and the customs forms that are needed,” said Row. “We also help them put the packages together and give them ideas on items they can fill the box with.”
They also offer a list of the most popular items for the time of year and location of where their service members are so they can get them the supplies that will make the biggest difference and impact.
“It is also a great time for spouses to come in and socialize,” said Row. “All of the deployed units’ Family Readiness Officers are present and it is a good chance to interact with them and get to know them and what the FROs’ have to offer.”
Spouses and family members can keep in touch and send their love to their service member through other programs, such as Moto mail.
“I think that this program and others like it are a great way to let our deployed spouses know they are on our minds,” said Kellie Lambert, wife of Cpl. Rafael Lambert, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 operations clerk. “I never let him know what I am going to be sending him just so I can surprise him because I know him and what he likes.”
The next Crazy Care Package event is scheduled for March 27 at the MCFTB building AS-232. To pre-register or for more information, call 910-449-5343.