Student Councils support soldiers through HeroBox.org
December 21, 2010
If Leechburg students and community members keep the holiday spirit in their hearts all year, soldiers Lauren Hymen and Alan Derenne will be receiving presents every month.
The two soldiers have been “adopted” by the Senior High and Junior High Student Councils as part of a larger effort begun at the councils’ fall conference in Kittanning where area Student Councils were paired with soldiers to send care packages through HeroBox.org.
HeroBox is a non-profit organization that supports deployed service members by providing the physical items and moral support American soldiers need while they are away from home. HeroBox started as a family’s simple effort to supporting their son and brother, Evan Housley.
As they began to send him care packages, they immediately realized the need for a more customized solution that met the specific special requests from Housley and other soldiers who also needed support. In response, HeroBox founder Ryan Housley launched a simple web page in May 2008.
As word spread, the demand soon outweighed the supply and the little web page soon became a non-profit organization. In October 2008, Ryan Housley left his corporate career to pursue HeroBox full time. HeroBox incorporated in December 2008 and became a public charity in May 2009. HeroBox now has sponsors in 46 states who help HeroBox support thousands of deployed U.S. heroes.
The program engages individuals who want to "sponsor" a hero. A web platform connects sponsors and heroes through an online process that is fast, easy and effective. Deployed troops register for an account and build a “wish list” of items they need. Sponsors register and are paired instantly with a deployed hero. Sponsors commit to fulfilling heroes’ wish lists each month for the length of time they have selected. Commitments are from 3 to 12 months.
Senior High Student Council adviser Amy Barley said, “We have a three-month contract but are sure to stay with it this school year and forever.” She plans to send one box around the first of each month. The boxes are flat rate medium packages costing $10 that the Student Council pays for. Members are responsible for donating and collecting items that are listed by soldiers.
The Junior High Student Council was paired with Alan Derenne of the United States Central Command and Joint Communications Support Element. The Senior High Student Council was paired with Lauren Hyman of the 64th Military Police Company FOB.
Lists of suggested items for the HeroBox care packages are posted on the Junior High and Senior High Student Council bulletin boards outside Rooms 416 and 502 here in the high school. Anyone interested in this program can also go to HEROBOX.org to learn more.
Barley asked anyone interested in helping this cause to donate care package items or postage by contacting her or Junior High Student Council adviser Patty Osborne. Below is a preliminary list of products needed by the troops:
Any personalized cards, letters and Leechburg items
Food
Beef jerky
Powdered drink mix
Dried fruit
Power bars/granola bars
Microwavable popcorn
Microwavable cheesy mac
Sunflower seeds
Hard candy
Twizzlers
Tuna fish packets
Instant noodles, soup
Coffee
Trail mix
Hygiene
Baby wipes
Hand sanitizer
Deodorant male/female
Body lotion
Sun block
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Feminine hygiene products
Lip balm
Tissues
Throat lozenges
Eye drops
Body powder
Tums, Rolaids
Mouthwash
Entertainment/Other
DVDs/CDs
Books, puzzle books
Pens, pencils, postcards
Drawing pads, journals
Magazines
Tupperware
AA Batteries
Brown undershirts, sock
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