driving to work , the Lord gave me the name ‘ Pride Packages ’ and that is how my ministry began ,” Pat stated . Within a few days she went to the bank and opened an account and placed an article in the local newspaper telling about Pride Packages . Soon thereafter , the supplies and monetary donations started arriving in the mail and at home .
Pat and Eric were living in Illinois at the time . People within their community and surrounding neighborhoods started leaving supplies on their enclosed porch at their home . “ Within a few months , we had outgrown our enclosed porch and Eric and I purchased a shed and it officially became the new home of Pride Packages .”, Pat said . This shed made room for all the supplies and a large table to complete the packaging . Individuals and groups began coming over to help prepare the packages for the troops .
Over the past nineteen years , Pat has received many honors and awards for her mission efforts . She has appeared on Good Morning America , was presented the U . S . Army Freedom Team Salute Commendation , and was awarded the Mid-Illinois American Red Cross Heartland Heroes Citizenship Award . Along with the many certificates , awards , and commendations , she has also received hundreds of letters and U . S . flags that were flown on missions over Iraq from many of the service men and women receiving packages . She even had a U . S . Congressmen visit her home to discuss her mission . Recently , Pat received great coverage for Pride Packages on WALB TV , Albany , GA . She is well-known locally for her tireless efforts in support of our military personnel serving in combat zones .
“ I receive most of my soldier ’ s names by going on a web site called ‘ Anysoldier . com .’ This site has all the branches of the service and lists the soldier ’ s name , rank , branch of service , when he / she is expected home , and individual needs and wants . These are names of soldiers that don ’ t receive anything from back home or an officer asking for supplies for those not receiving anything .”, stated Pat .
She ’ s had returning soldiers visit Pride Packages and tell how much the letters and packages meant to them . Each one of them bringing her an American flag that was with them throughout their stay during the war . “ We have held each other and cried tears of joy and thankfulness for bringing them back home safely to their families .”, said Pat .
Examples of letters that Pat has received from those returning home include :
“ Dear Pat , I cannot express in words how grateful I am about receiving your care package . Your words have lifted me and made me believe that all of this is worth it , thanks to people like you . Your package was also the source of comfort , found when I was at one of my lowest moments .”
Another letter , “ I want to thank you and your veteran son for your service to others . There ’ s nothing different about your service and ours , both of us are serving others . Thank you for doing what you don ’ t have to do . I was like a kid in a candy store when I saw your package . It ’ s a wonderful feeling ( hard to put into words ) when your name is called during mail call . It ’ s even better when total strangers , like you , take time out of their busy schedules to show their appreciation . In your case , by sending packages . Thank you so much .”
Pat said , “ These letters bring tears to my eyes knowing that a letter and package touched a soldier ’ s life and it made his or her deployment a little easier .”
Pat includes a few trademark items that go into every Pride Package that she sends . “ One of my trademarks is a new pair of socks , whether they are white or black , nothing is better than a new , clean , pair of soft socks .”, Pat said . Also , she started sending a little flag in her packages after a soldier in Illinois who had received one of her care packages brought her a large American flag that had been flown over Iraq for a week . It touched her so intensely that she began including a small flag in all her packages . “ The flag means so many things to me that I felt that it must be included in all my packages for it is truly a symbol of peace .”, stated Pat .
Another trademark item that she includes in the care package is a devotional material . Every package receives some type of devotional material , whether it is a pamphlet , a bible , or a religious tract . She also encloses a personal letter from her to convey to the soldier how thankful she is for his or her service and how proud she is of each one of them .
Other items that may be included in each package include writing material , greeting cards of all kinds , Christmas cards , bibles , men or women ’ s underwear , towels , sheets , blankets , pillows , stocking caps , gloves , scarves , hand warmers , long underwear , shower shoes or flip flops , toilet paper , food , candies , wrapped hard candy , chocolate candy , coffee pods , instant coffee , tea , water flavor-
HOLIDAY 2024 MoultrieScene 55