Veterans group shows charity to deployers

Published March 8, 2016
By Staff Sgt. Richard Mekkri
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- Twelve members from the American Legion Auxiliary delivered care packages to the base on Monday, February 29, 2016.

200 packages containing toiletries and snacks were delivered to the Friends of Family Support Association for deployed men and women of the 914th Airlift Wing.

"It's a privilege for us to do this," said Ginger Lindner, president of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 838, in Clarence, NY. "It's important to all of us in our unit."

Holly Curcione, 914 AW Key Spouse and Treasurer of the Friends of Family Support Association, coordinated the delivery after Lindner contacted her.

"She wanted to know if we had any members currently deployed," said Curcione. "I told her that there were approximately 200." So Lindner and her group of volunteer veterans made 200 packages.

Curcione, with the help of base squadrons, will organize times for families to come to base to personalize the packages. "They can add items from home and then we'll ship them directly to
the service member," said Curcione.

Lindner and her volunteers have been creating care packages and sending them around the world for 10 years.

"I do it because of my love of the service," said Lindner, whose husband and father both served in WWII. "I'm proud of the men and women."

Two years ago, the then 80-yr old Lindner and her group created more than 450 care packages. "We sent them to Guam, Japan, Afghanistan..." said the 82-yr old Lindner. "We'll send more packages if you give us more names."

For questions on how to send a care package to a service member or for more information on the Friends of Family Support Association, please contact 716-236-2097

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914th Airlift wing members pose for a picture with members of the community

Veterans group shows charity to deployers