SOLANCONEWS.com -- Marine Mom Organizes Care Package Drive

Marine Care Package Drive A Huge Success
By Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman
QUARRYVILLE -- Faith Aukamp was moved. As a Marine mom, wanted to do something to help out our men and women overseas. With the help and blessing of the real estate firm she works for, held a Care Package Drive Saturday out front Ferguson & Hassler's in TownsEdge Shopping Center.

Yellow signs, like the one on the left, were hung with pride around the area inviting people to donate an item or two. The community supported the Care Package Drive, donating bags and boxes full of items to be sent overseas. Aukamp sat next to big banana boxes full of various items while her eyes glistened as she said how overwhelmed she was at the response from the community.

Anyone who has a son or daughter serving should call Aukamp at 717-341-8160 or email her at faukamp@yahoo.com to ensure he or she receives a package.

Area restaurants also supported this program. Aukamp said she has received commitments from the Quarryville Family Restaurants, Sam's Pizza, Son's Ice for various condiments and individual items. Dr Regan, a dentist in Quarryville, donated toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Numerous people simply made monetary donations. Monetary donations will help with shipping costs. Each care package costs $7.70 to ship using USPS flat-rate boxes.

Joining her Saturday were Doug Chase, Debbie Sheets, T.J. Aukamp, Matt Close, and Brittany Rhineer. Chase is the office manager for Beiler Campbell's Quarryville office. Sheets is the Administrative Assistant there.

Aukamp said she would most likely be holding another Care Package Drive in the future but that the Beiler Campbell offices were still accepting donations as well.

Anthony Beiler, broker for Beiler-Campbell, has opened up all the area offices to be used as drop-off locations, said Aukamp. Offices are located in Chadds Ford, Longwood, Oxford, Avondale, as well as Quarryville. Aukamp works out of the Quarryville office, which is located at 229 W. 4th Street in Quarryville. Drop-offs to the other offices should be marked with Aukamp's name and marked for the Quarryville office.

Photos by Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman