Berlin Mother's Efforts Raise $17K For Troops

BERLIN, CT — Berlin resident Karen Cote has raised more than $17,000 sending more than 600 packages to U.S. military members stationed overseas this year. She started the organization Hero Boxes in 2015 when her son was deployed to Kuwait.

Volunteers have helped individually wrap toiletries, snacks and gifts for the hundreds of packages shipped.

"We send care packages filled with daily essentials, which are in short supply in some remote areas," Hero Boxes says on their website. "These essentials include toothpaste/brushes, soap, shaving cream, sunscreen and lip balm. Snacks such as beef jerky and protein bars help supplement our troops’ rations and flavor packets for water offer these men and women a little variety as they work to stay hydrated."

The packages are often the only link to home soldiers have during the holidays.

For more information, go to the Hero Boxes website.