Iona College Works with Operation: Support Our Troops to Send More than 1,100 Holiday Care Packages To Troops Overseas

Left to right are Iona College students who helped in packing the Operation: Support Our Troops holiday packages: Meaghan Haskell, Ashley Wynne, Maureen Cummins, Danielle Beck, Brendan Hall

Also Raise About $5,000 to Pay for Shipping Costs

Iona College students recently joined more than 300 volunteers at  St. Augustine’s  Church in Larchmont to help complete the packing of more than 1,100 holiday care packages. The packages contained food, clothing, books and other personal items that were collected on behalf of Operation: Support Our Troops which shipped them to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas.  The packages will arrive in time for the holidays.

In late October, Iona students joined in the effort to help Operation: Support Our Troops with its initiative, “Operation: Cram the Van.” It was one of the events tied to the inauguration of Dr. Joseph Nyre as the college’s new president in recognition of his service in the U.S. Navy.  The gift donations were dropped off at a military Hummer and other vehicles that were parked at the Robert V. LaPenta Student Union over the past month.

Each package includes a letter from Dr. Nyre noting: “This project (Cram the Van) had one purpose; namely to honor you as a person in service to our country.  You are the heroes of today and we all send heartfelt thanks.”

The cost of shipping the packages was paid for through monetary donations totaling $4,941.89 that the students raised.  Joining the students in the packaging was Maureen Cummins, a senior and the class liaison for the project. “It’s really gratifying to see a US Post Office truck with 1,136 boxes pull away and head directly to the post office. Iona has done a really extraordinary thing this holiday season. Men and women overseas will receive our packages just in time for Christmas, making being away from family and friends this Holiday Season a tad bit easier. We’ve made it clear we care, we’re thinking of them, and appreciate what they’re doing for our country. I’ve never been more proud to be a Gael,” said Ms. Cummins.

Amy Parise (‘03 MST), director of Iona’s Alumni Relations, said: “Students at Iona College are always eager to give back to the community and help others for a good cause. I can’t think of a better way to help those serving overseas during the holidays and Iona College as a whole has worked very hard to do so.”

About Iona: Founded in 1940, Iona College is a four-year private, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers and American Catholic higher education. It is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona offers undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science, and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs.

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