Last modified Wed., October 08, 2008 - 04:13 PM
Originally created Thursday, October 9, 2008

Care packages for deployed co-workers

By Marsha Childs, NHJ Marketing Coordinator

From left: Hospital Corpsman Megan DeLussey, Lt. j.g. Carla Newkirk-Jones and Lt. Cmdr. Mavis Thomas sort more than 300 toiletries, books, and non-perishable food collected for deployed NHJ staff in Kuwait, Cuba and Afghanistan. Photo by Marsha Childs

Anyone who has deployed, especially to the desert, knows some of the essentials of daily living aren't always readily available. Troops are often in need of toiletries to maintain good hygiene and recreational items to fill their idle time. Naval Hospital Jacksonville (NHJ) staff anticipated the needs of their deployed co-workers with Operation Donations for Troops, a Sept. drive that collected many basic necessities.

Lt. Cmdr. Mavis Thomas, Lt. j.g. Carla Newkirk-Jones and HN Megan DeLussey collected more than 300 items, including mouthwash, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, razors, books, crossword puzzles, prepaid calling cards and non-perishable food. Their mission was to send a loud and clear message to their deployed shipmates that they were appreciated - and never forgotten.

Thomas, whose husband also serves in the military, is well aware of the need. She has assembled many care packages for him during two deployments. She said, "Some commands don't always support their deployed troops. They leave and you don't see them. This is just our way of saying 'we care.'"

The team mailed nine large boxes to deployed staff.

Newkirk-Jones knows how important it is for those deployed to see a show of support from the hospital's leadership at the airport when they leave as well as when they return. "But when they are gone, they are sometimes forgotten, especially if they are single Sailors," she said. "When they are in that interim period, I think it is even more important to show support."

The team was awed by the NHJ staff's generosity. Due to the operation's success, they are planning on another campaign in the near future to support their mission.

NHJ has approximately 130 staff members deployed around the globe - land based in Afghanistan, Cuba, and Kuwait as well as aboard ships as individual augmentees in service to the Fleet.