Shoeboxes for Military Spouses Drive Begins Nov. 25

APEX, NC, November 24, 2011

Shoeboxes for Military Spouses, the nation's only program dedicated to collecting and distributing shoebox gifts to military spouses, is the flagship program of Support Military Spouses, a North-Carolina-based nonprofit. From Nov. 25 through Dec. 17, 17 locations across North Carolina will serve as collection sites for gift boxes.

The goal is to assemble, collect and distribute shoeboxes filled with gifts that are pampering and encouraging in nature to every wife or husband whose spouse is active duty.

Currently, there are over 1 million active duty armed forces in the United States military, and approximately 400,000 serving on foreign soil. Support Military Spouses partners with the military to distribute shoebox gifts to spouses, most of whom are wives with children.

How to Help
Supporters of the cause can participate by preparing a shoebox with appropriate gifts, along with a $7.50 donation or more per box to help cover shipping and other project costs, and dropping them off at participating locations between Nov. 25 and Dec. 17.

This year, the program has been expanded to include drop-off sites in Apex, Cary, Fayetteville, Smithfield, Selma, Holly Springs, Lumberton, Sanford, Spring Lake, Hope Mills, Angier, Snow Hill, Kinston and Wallace. For a list of specific collections sites, visit http://www.supportmilitaryspouses.org/get-involved/pack-a-shoebox-send-a-heart-hug/collection-sites/

Suggested gifts for military wives include a pocket-sized Bible, book of inspiration, lip gloss/balm, bath lotions/gel, body spray, note pads, journal, fragrance candles, scarf, jewelry, etc. Suggested gifts for military husbands include a pocket-sized Bible, book of inspiration, sports magazine, non-breakable mug, nail clippers, cookbook for grilling, deck of cards, gum, hard candy, note pads, pens, etc.

Monetary donations can be made online through a secure PayPal account at http://www.supportmilitaryspouses.org.

Grateful Recipients
Theresa, a military spouse whose husband is at the end of a deployment, wrote: "Our soldiers go through so much and so many organizations think of them, but this is the first one that I've found that actively supports the spouses... Thank you to all of you, for your generosity of spirit, generosity of time and dedication to support those that are in direct line of supporting the soldiers and sacrificing right along with them."

Pamela, another military spouse, said, "Thank you for what you do. The shoeboxes are a wonderful change in our lifestyle as military spouses. We spend many hours making sure our soldiers are taken care of and forget to take a minute for ourselves. These gifts are a wonderful reminder that we need to take care of us in order to take care of our soldiers and families."

Shoeboxes for Military Spouses acknowledges the support of its sponsors: Fayetteville/Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, Chick-fil-A and Penske Truck Rental.

For more information, visit http://www.SupportMilitarySpouses.org, call 919-274-7344 or email Friends@SupportMilitarySpouses.org.

About Support Military Spouses
Support Military Spouses' goal is to recognize and applaud the undaunted courage of military wives and husbands as they shoulder the responsibility of family life, care for wounded warriors and honor the memory of our nation's fallen heroes. We do this through programs that show appreciation for and reaffirm the sacrifice, patriotism and selflessness of all military spouses. For comments or questions, call 919-274-7344 or email Friends@SupportMilitarySpouses.org.