Wawa treats destined for troops worldwide
CHESTER HEIGHTS >> Operation Taste of Home is up and running once again. For the 10th year, Wawa Inc. has assembled thousands of care packages to go out to U.S. service members around the world.
On Thursday, 50 volunteers gathered in the companies’ corporate headquarters to assemble and box the 5,000 care packages which will go to service members throughout the world, bringing a taste of home ahead of the holidays.
The care packages contained donated packages of Wawa coffee, as well as other items including Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews, Twizzlers, Orbit gum, and salted nuts. They are given to Liberty USO, covering Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. The USO will distribute them to local service members stationed overseas.
“You’d think I was handing out gold,” said Liberty USO Executive Director Jo Anne Schultze, who confirmed the packages are a hit with service members. “We will send out in the next week, for troops to get them for the holidays. We ship them to the troops in Djibouti Africa, Afghanistan, all over people request them. People love their Wawa.”
Each care package was topped off with a handwritten letter, collected from customers and at local schools and community organizations throughout Delaware County, and from Wawa associates throughout the company.
“It really makes the point that somebody cares back here and took the time, not just to assemble a package but to hand write a note,” said Lori Bruce, Wawa Inc. public relations manager. “We’ve been sending these packages out for a decade and that comment comes back to us more than anything, not just getting the products but that hand written note.”
Among those taking part Thursday was USAF reservist Master Sgt. Danielle Heidrick, whose husband, John, is presently deployed.
“I’ve shipped out many of these to my troops,” said Sgt. Hedrick. “This year we have half out unit deployed, it’s important that they get them, it’s a piece of home, it makes them feel like people are thinking about them. It’s a pick-me-up.”
Wawa officials estimate that over the years, hundreds of thousands of cups of coffee and care packages have been sent to the troops overseas.
In addition to the care packages the Wawa Foundation presented a check for $969,000 to the Liberty USO. The money was raised during the summer by customers donations at instore checkout coin drops and scan-campaigns.
“Thank you very much. I know you will put this to great use and I hope we can keep doing this for many years,” said Wawa Director of Operations Jeff Lee as he presented Schultze with an oversized check to make the event. “We know the Service centers in the airports but most of the great stuff they do we don’t hear about.”
“In between events like this they are probably on the phone three or four times trying to help out individuals,” Lee said. “A family member who has somebody deployed and they just need help, figuring out something at home. And for the people deployed, when they know that, they can relax a little bit because they can focus on the mission where ever they are deployed, knowing their family members are in safe hands of the USO back here.”
“We would not be able to complete our mission without your support,” said Schultze as she thanked Wawa and its customers.
In addition to the care packages Wawa officials announced that on Monday, Veterans Day, all veterans, active military, and military family members to enjoy a free cup of coffee of any size - on Wawa, with no ID required.