UT Student Organizes Troop Donations at Local UPS Store

UT senior Erica Grasso is helping soldiers who are fighting in the middle east.

Erica Grasso’s mission is to create military awareness in the Tampa Bay community.

To do this, she started a supply drive when her friend Braden Amigo was deployed to Afghanistan in July 2008.

Over the months, Grasso shipped items to Amigo, but found it difficult.

“As a college student, shipping goods became really expensive and I needed help,” she said.

Turiq H. Khan, manager of UPS on W. Platt St. agreed to set up a supplies drive where customers can donate items and ship one box over for free.

Grasso’s list has many items including toiletries, non-perishable food items, DVDs, reading material and bed sheets.

Grasso said she is unsure how long the supply drive will last. “It all depends on how quickly the boxes fill,” she said. “We are constantly looking for new donors and supporters who can provide information or funding to help ship the requested items over seas.”

Donations are distributed throughout to the troops. The shipments usually take 12 days to reach the troops.

Currently not all UPS stores are involved in this project, but if the drive is successful enough in the Tampa Bay area, Grasso hopes to reach out to other stores interested in supporting the program.

For more information, contact Erica Grasso at elgrasso@ut.edu

Comments

3 comments

Nicholas Kester

Tue Nov 11 2008 08:32

Hello
Great Artical !
My Name is Nicholas Kester of OnSight Support.org... we are a non profit in support of the troops deployed overseas...
Please take a look at our web site and let me know what you think .We started by sending balistic vest (18 new) a total and 3.5 tons of (used) vests, eye protection, nomex baliclavers, socks and most of the same goods you have started to send...we have sent over 19 tons. we started 4 yrs ago and have found great rewards in helping not only the soldider deployed and the humanitarian efforts, but the families here back home also...
Never Give Up !
If we can help let us know...
Keep the Fires Burning Bright So Our Men and Women Can Find Their Way Back Home Safely and Soon...
www.onsightsupport.org

elyse

Mon Nov 10 2008 23:26

Great job Ms. Grasso. Your efforts to aid and support our troops of admirable and honorable. I wish you the best of luck with this event.

Your name

Sat Nov 8 2008 15:19

Wow! Great article Erica. Save it. Keep up the great work. Let me know if the Babylon Masonic Supply Wagon can help support your efforts. I know the troops really do appreciate all the work that you do!

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