Shoppers Ship Packages To Soldiers At Maplewood Mall
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - For our military members overseas, it's hard not to miss home during the holidays.
But thanks to some generous shoppers, many of them will get something special this year.
Maplewood Mall hosted the American Legion's annual Shop, Ship and Share event.
"It's huge to get something stateside saying thank you," an organizer said. "Especially if you get a local newspaper, a local magazine, or if you're getting beef jerk or something like that."
It gives shoppers an opportunity to support Minnesota's military men and women by donating needed items for care packages or cash for postage to send them.
"We think they may be a little happy because they might not get things from other people," one young gift shipper said. "My step mom said this would be like their Christmas presents because some people don't get to go home for Christmas."
Organizers say they shipped more than 900 packages last year, stuffed with treats, personal items and messages of support.
This year they hope to send at least 1,000.