Fifty-six soldiers will receive care packages put together by the Faith Lutheran Church youth group for third- through sixth-graders, known as the FireFLYs.
About 25 FireFLYs along with a dozen adults worked with Jim Wareing of Methuen, director of New England Caring for Our Military, to create four boxes that will go to four soldiers serving in the military forces serving overseas. These soldiers are either family members or friends of Faith Lutheran Church. Within each box will be 13 to 15 additional care packages or bags that these four soldiers will then share with other soldiers in their units, according to organizer Bill Buck.
The packages had a mix of candy canes, small Christmas trees, a variety of food and candy, Christmas cards and ornaments the youth had drawn and painted. Also included were some toiletries, magazines, puzzles and playing cards.
The packages were mailed in time to arrive about a week before Christmas, according to Buck.
The FireFLYs are not the only group in Andover conducting such efforts and other residents will be featured in next week's Townsman. If you know of someone who's helped out this holiday season, send a release to townsman@townsman.com by Friday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.
