One Tucson company is packing boxes to send off to the troops overseas. So far they have sent more than 150 boxes and they are preparing to send hundreds more.
Cadden Community Management is a company with military ties. Many of its employees have family members who have served.
“A lot of us have been at the end of that pipeline in bad situations, questionable political environment, it’s just tough to be out there so we said let’s see what we can do for the troops,” said owner Mike Cadden.
Cadden is a veteran himself and when he heard about Operation Caregiver it seemed like the perfect fit. “It’s a bad place to be when you’re alone and you’re young and you’re in uniform and in a foxhole. It’s just nice to get a package from home,” he said.
Each box of goodies costs around $50 to put together and $12.50 to send. To date Cadden Management has spent around $4000 sending boxes for Operation Caregiver.
Sharon Dirienzo’s brother served overseas and says something he said has always stuck with her. “When he opened the box it smelled like home. It just made him know that we were thinking about him. It gave him a very small window of enjoyment.”
Thank you letters let them know their kindness is appreciated.
“It makes me feel good that we know then that someone actually got the package. It’s like a kid at Christmas opening a package and being very excited and so you appreciate that your efforts are appreciated by that person opening the package,” said employee Agnes Hertzog.
A package sent from caring coworkers to let those in the battlefield know their service is appreciated and thoughts are being sent their way for a safe return home.
Cadden Community Management is teaming up with Arizona Association of Community Managers and is expecting to send 500 boxes in November.
If you would like to donate items for the boxes you can drop them off at 1870 West Prince Road Suite 47.