Rockford radio station’s Shoeboxes for Soldiers campaign to deliver 2,000th care package

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Hundreds of soldiers from across the country will receive care packages that serve as a show of appreciation and a reminder of home thanks to an effort spearheaded by 95.3 The Bull in collaboration with a host of donors from the community.

This is the fifth year that the radio station has organized its Shoeboxes for Soldiers campaign, which has now resulted in more than 2,000 care packages for military members. The station partners with Operation Shoebox to identify armed forces members dispatched around the world to receive the supplies.

“This is a way for the community to come together and show our gratitude, give thanks and give a little piece of home,” said Gordon Mays, brand manager for 95.3 The Bull and director of programming and content for Mid-West Family Broadcasting Northern Illinois. The Rock River Current is also a part of Mid-West Family.

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On Tuesday, employees of Mid-West Family Broadcasting packed up more than 200 boxes with the help of The Arc of Winnebago, Boone and Ogle Counties and the Kiwanis Aktion Club, a service group comprised of adults with disabilities.

“I’m very honored to do this because it shows appreciation for what they’re doing over there,” said Sean Ryan, president of the local Aktion Club chapter.

Packing day on Tuesday was the culmination of roughly two months of collecting supplies at businesses around the region including Postal Shoppe, Jax Pub and Oscars Pub & Grill, among others.

Mays said this year’s donations are the largest since the program launched the year before the pandemic.

“This year, in particular, we probably had the most people reach out from across the board of different types of people and different types of groups wanting to get involved and contribute in some fashion,” he said.

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The care packages have essential supplies as well as treats such as gum from Perfetti Van Melle in Loves Park and locally roasted coffee from Fire Department Coffee.

“It’s so important to remember all of our service personnel who aren’t here in the United States,” said Amy Newell, executive director of The Arc. “To have just a little something — that note from home, that feel from home — is huge.”

The radio station also helped raise funds to cover the expense of shipping the packages around the world.

“The idea is to bring a piece of home to those who are away from their family, who are spending their time on our behalf,” Mays said.

2024 Shoeboxes for Soldiers

Shoeboxes For Soldiers 2024 is presented by Local 23 Plumbers & Pipefitters and sponsors Eldridge Roofing, Jax Pub, The Postal Shoppe, Midwest Packaging & Container, Oscar’s Pub & Grill, Fire Department Coffee, and Straightline Moving

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas