Care packages from Central Minnesota to the troops are on the way

WAITE PARK — Thanks to Central Minnesota volunteers, more than 400 holiday care packages hit the mail this week, destined for troops serving overseas.

This is the 19th Christmas season that Becky Carlson has spearheaded the effort to provide some holiday cheer for service members serving throughout the world.

Carlson has mailed boxes four days this week, sending about 100 each day. Her main sources of funding for the contents and postage are donations, a spring spaghetti dinner and a silent auction.

Every box weighs about 8 pounds, costs $16.25 to mail and contains snacks, personal items, gifts and a handwritten letter.

Carlson started the project in 2003 in honor of her brother who served with the Marine Corps and was killed in Vietnam when Carlson was 14 years old.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Care packages for troops are on the way from Waite Park