Tucson area groups making a difference by providing care packages for military

This time of year, several groups do special things to thank U.S. military troops. One of them is making a difference by assembling goodie boxes to send overseas after the first of the year.

It's a day off school. So Bailey Leska, Nicolette Stratton and Allison Gomez are spending the day at Foothills Mall.

But they're not shopping. They're collecting donations to send care packages to Davis Monthan personnel deployed in the Middle East.

Bailey, who is 11, says, "I'm supporting our troops."

Allison, 14, says, "I think they {troops} must be really strong and brave to be able to be away from their family and to risk their lives for people like us today."

The students are collecting personal items and money to send them.

Nicolette, 14, says what's needed is, "Anything that's going to help them in what they use daily that you can't always get without stores."

Brian Beebe, who is with the nonprofit group Circle of Neighbors, elaborates, "Personal items that aren't going to melt, for example candies that aren't chocolate, toothpaste, razors, Pop Tarts. It's not the healthiest, but it's a luxury when you're in the desert I assume."

A shopper who calls herself Marjie donated. She says she's grateful. "I'm able to walk in a mall and enjoy myself while they're over there in the worst of conditions and sometimes coming home in body bags."

Two nonprofits are involved in the care package program. Circle of Neighbors helps students get into college. Tucson Community Cares assists DM airmen and their families.

Major Jason Jensen has been to the Middle East. He knows first hand what it's like to get a surprise in the mail.

Jensen says, "When you receive something from outside your family, from the community, from people you don't necessarily know, it's an unbelievable support that you are receiving. It's an unbelievable morale booster."

If you're wondering what he appreciated most, Jensen laughs, "I would say you can never go wrong with jerky. Jerky's always a winner."

To find out what's needed and where to drop it off, you can contact Circle of Neighbors at www.neighborscares.org