SCV student launches military care package drive
While the coronavirus pandemic has affected many Santa Clarita Valley residents, it has also affected local nonprofits, many of whom aren’t receiving donations like they usually would.
So, when Valencia resident Christopher Salerno heard that Prayer Angels for the Military, a nonprofit military support group, was in need of donations to fill the care packages typically sent overseas to troops monthly, he decided to find a way to help.
“Right now is a tough time for a lot of these charity groups who are not getting donations during COVID-19 … so I reached out to Ms. Suzon (Gerstel) at Prayer Angels, and decided that I was going to start a donation drive,” said the 17-year-old who’s president of Youth Outreach Santa Clarita Valley, a local charity
outreach group.
Now, Salerno is seeking the community’s support in collecting donations for the care packages, with some of the most needed items being handwritten letters, cards and drawings, which are cherished by troops, along with snacks like beef jerky, slim jims, powdered drink mix packets and other individually packaged snacks.
“I’m just trying to spread awareness and help the community in any way I can, especially during the chaotic and tough times,” he added.
Salerno, who has family friends who served overseas in the Navy and Army, understands how difficult it can be to be away from home and family, and knows the importance of each care package sent.
“During COVID-19, people are forgetting that we still have soldiers stationed overseas, and they’re not getting as much attention, so I thought it would help to bring more awareness to the situation that we still have people overseas that need our support and we need to show love to,” he said.