Elkhart, Ind. – INOVA Federal Credit Union shipped 10 large boxes to a group of Marines stationed in Afghanistan. When the packages arrived, the members of Engr Co B 6th ESB 4th MLG said it was like Christmas. They found items from snacks to toothbrushes to an Xbox 360 inside. INOVA wanted to make being away from home a little easier for the soldiers who will be overseas this Christmas.
This project was especially meaningful to INOVA Cash Service Representative, Anna Smith, who is engaged to one of the soldiers. “It brought tears to my eyes to see how much we collected,” she said. Smith was in contact with her fiancé, Cpl Brandon Evans, after the packages arrived. “They said it was like Christmas for them, and since they won’t get a normal Christmas this year, it was the next best thing!”
INOVA employees donated items like candy, oatmeal, soap, hand warmers, video games, eye drops, manicure kits and notebooks. INOVA members made donations at the teller line that were used to buy additional supplies like batteries, sheets and games.
Dallas Bergl, INOVA CEO, is a veteran and a parent of two servicemen. He appreciates the sacrifices these men and women make for our country. Bergl said, “It’s easy to forget the men and women that we ask to fight our wars and provide the liberties we all take for granted, the least we can do is let them know they are appreciated and not forgotten even when they are thousands of miles away.”