American Legion Auxiliary Unit 215 in Nahant, Mass., truly reflected what it means to be a community of volunteers who honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. Unit 215 organized a community-wide project to collect donations and needed items for servicemembers stationed overseas, and they exceeded all expectations.
Members of Nahant Unit 215 and the Nahant Fire Department take part in the Operation Troop Support initiative by gathering food for deployed soldiers.
Founded in 2003, Operation Troop Support focuses on helping deployed troops and their families. Among the many amazing things they do, OTS has sent over 1 million care packages to deployed United States servicemembers. They also partner with organizations and individuals who want to support those serving our country. Operation Troop Support’s mission is “Help Us Help Them,” and that’s exactly what Unit 215 accomplished.
Unit 215 teamed up with Operation Troop Support after Johnson asked the founder, Dick Moody, to be a guest speaker during one of the unit’s monthly meetings. Following the meeting, everyone was enthusiastic to begin the care package project and help servicemembers stationed overseas feel appreciated and loved.
“It was just so rewarding to know we are helping someone,” said Johnson. “I remember when I was a little girl, and my older brother was serving — it just means so much because I know how important getting these packages is for the young men and women serving overseas. It made my heart feel good.”
After receiving a list of requested items that servicemembers sent to OTS, Unit 215 was officially ready to begin their monthlong project. Johnson reached out to offices in town to ask if they would place donation boxes on their properties — everyone was thrilled to help such an important project. The unit placed five collection boxes at designated locations throughout their community where people could drop off donations.
“Everybody was so supportive,” said Johnson. “Everybody enjoyed working on it — all the ALA members and the townspeople talked to us and said how important this project is. It was just a real feel-good project for everybody, so it was wonderful.”
Unit 215 advertised the project by placing flyers around town, talking with neighbors, and posting on Facebook. They included the flyer in a local senior monthly newsletter, as well as the weekly elementary school letter. The unit sent emails to town departments and their American Legion Family members. Johnson also shared the message during an interview with the local newspaper. Word began to spread fast throughout the small town of Nahant, and residents were eager to contribute to a great cause.
“Something like this works very well in a small town. You can just call people and ask for things, and they deliver,” said Johnson. “Everybody donated, and it exceeded our expectation on what we collected.”
Johnson and Unit 215 divided the troops’ requested items by location. The Johnson Elementary School student council collected white socks; Nahant Fire Station gathered all food items; Nahant Town Hall was a dropoff spot for toiletries; Nahant Public Library collected paperback books, new playing cards, crossword and sudoku puzzle books, and other entertainment items; and American Legion Post 215 took in toiletry, food, and supply items.
“Included in the over $10,000 worth of donated items was $1,800 worth of checks and cash to help cover mailing expenses: ALA Unit 215 voted unanimously to donate $500 to this effort, individual members donated $780, our local bank donated $250, and the rest of the monetary donations came from local citizens,” said Johnson. “We probably collected over $8,000 worth of food, toiletries, books, and everything else. The people were so incredibly generous.”
Johnson and Unit 215 would like to do something similar with Operation Troop Support in the future to show deployed servicemembers that they are forever grateful.
“This project was successful because so many people helped out, especially the ALA members, town employees, and residents,” said Johnson. “It truly was a wonderful project for our small town. But mostly, it was a wonderful opportunity to do something for our heroic servicemen and women in a collaborative way.”
In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.
