Nonprofit organization sends more than 300 military care packages to those deployed

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A nonprofit organization supporting deployed service members and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) sent out more than 300 care packages to those overseas in Hanover County on Saturday morning.

The Day of Service event, which assembled more than 300 care packages for U.S. troops deployed worldwide, took place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, at the VFW Post 9808, located at 7168 Flag Lane in Mechanicsville.

Troopster Military Care Packages, a Sandston-based veteran-founded nonprofit organization, partnered with the VFW for VFW Day of Service, which coincided with Armed Forces Day, which occurs each year on the third Saturday of May.

"This partnership with VFW Post 9808 exemplifies the powerful impact our community can have when we come together for our troops," said Chelsea Mandello, Founder and CEO of Troopster. "Having deployed across 13 countries and served on 9 ships during my 7 years in the U.S. Navy, I've experienced firsthand how meaningful these care packages are to service members far from home. Today, we're not just sending items—we're sending a piece of home and a reminder that their service and sacrifice are recognized and appreciated by their community back home."

Each package, shipped directly to units overseas, contained selected items, including premium snacks, hygiene essentials and comfort items. Packs included Dude Wipes, Duke Cannon Shampoo, Righteous Felon Jerky and other assorted candy and snacks.

The VFW Day of Service is annually led by veterans in May and is part of the VFW's #StillServing campaign. May 1 was the national start of these services to assist those with VFW posts, according to a Saturday release from Troopster.

“As veterans of foreign wars it is our honor to support our brothers and sisters serving in harms way,” said Paul Smith, Commander of VFW Post 9808. “We get it.”

Since 2021, the Troopster and VFW Post 9808 partnership has "successfully sent more than 1,000 care packages to deployed troops around the world," they said in a release. VFW posts are exclusive military veterans who have served in overseas conflict, and this particular post currently has 852 members.

“I couldn’t be more proud to work along side the men and women of the VFW to help support our deployed military members,” said Mandello. “It truly shows our dedication to service even after the military, and that we are all one community here to help each other.”

Troopster has delivered more than 68,000 care packages since U.S. Navy Veteran Chelsea Mandello founded the organization in 2016. They said the organization currently maintains a list of more than 20,000 troops who are waiting for their respective care packages.

For more information about the nonprofit organization, visit the Troopster website. If you're looking for more information about the VFW Post 9808, visit its website.