OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Tom Wilson, a Marine veteran, is on his second day of asking for donations for U.S. Troops in Afghanistan. He’s a volunteer to fill the Platoons Forward Wish List, which includes noodles, candy, soap, razors and many other items that we usually take for granted.
Wilson remembers how important those simple things can be from his time in Vietnam.
“I used to ask my family for little packets of Koolaid that was like- like heaven,” Wilson said.
The gifts aren’t just for soldiers.
“People say Marines? Eating candy? You know what the candy goes for? It’s for the kids,” he explained.
Veronica Jenkins’ son is on his way to boot camp, she donated to the cause.
“They’re away from their families, and away from home and we need to show them that we’re behind them a hundred percent,” Jenkins said.
The supplies in the box are gathered, and Wilson brings them to VFW Post 7397 to be packed up.
Boy scout Blake Steinmetz learns how to divvy up the supplies.
“I bet it’d be pretty bad if you didn’t have this stuff,” he said.
Blake packs a box, it’s then folded up and taped shut, but the boxes aren’t going overseas right away. It costs $13.45 per box to send overseas, and Platoons Forward needs about $8,000 dollars more to get all the boxes to soldiers. If you want to help, follow this link: Platoons Forward
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