Woman channels concern for soldier to create care package fund

(Sentinel photo by Amy Erickson) Kerri Stinton, of Le Mars, started the Afghanistan Care Package Fund to collect donations to help send toiletry, food and other items to soldiers in Afghanistan. Stinton started the fund in August as a way to help deal with her concern for her son-in-law, who was deployed in July. [Click to enlarge]

Kerri Stinton started the project in August, following deployment of her son-in-law to Afghanistan in July, as a way to deal with her concern for his safety.

"I figured that was a way to get rid of that anxiety and focus that energy on doing something positive," Stinton said. "As a mother hen, it drives me crazy not being able to protect him so it's like 'what am I going to do with this.'"

The Afghanistan Care Package Fund, which people can donate money to via an account at American Bank in Le Mars, was born after a discussion with a family friend, Stinton said.

"He said I should set up a bank account, make something official where people could send money to," she said. "He's the one that really lit that fire about doing a fund."

Donations made to the Afghanistan Care Package Fund are used to purchase and ship items to troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, Stinton said.

Recently it cost $72 to ship six boxes full of items like deodorant, soap and batteries, Stinton said.

Care packages also include "fun stuff" like green tea and packets of flavoring for water, beef jerky, candy and DVDs.

"They want things to occupy their time when they're not on a mission," Stinton said. "That's when they watch the DVDs. We've sent some stationery, envelopes so they can write back home or write whoever."

Since starting the fund, Stinton said she has received donations of $20 up to one single donation of $200.

So far she has been able to send about 10 boxes with the fund money, Stinton said.

Even if people can donate $12, the cost to ship a large box or $6 for a small box, it's enough, she said.

Initially, care packages were sent directly to her son-in-law and he distributed the items because the military couldn't release other soldier's names due to confidentiality, Stinton said.

"Now people are giving us names and we just love that," she said. "We're asking if there's other people to send us their names."

Stinton said if there's money in the fund she will get whatever people request for their soldier. Or if people want to send her items she will ship them if the money is available.

"It all goes back to the men and women who are sacrificing for us," she said. "It's the least we can do to show our appreciation."

That's especially important now when morale is down among troops, which isn't only her opinion but has also been reported on the news, Stinton said.

"They're feeling abandoned over there and vulnerable so how wonderful to know us regular people are thinking of them and wanting to do whatever we can to help," Stinton said. "I want them to know that us regular people here in the United States, that we're pulling for them."

Anyone wishing to donate money can use the American Bank account.

Those wishing to give items can contact Stinton at 712-540-1430 or via the fund's website at www.afghanistanbound.com.