Pitt Nursing Students Show Their Support for U.S. Troops

WINTERVILLE—In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, Pitt Community College nursing students demonstrated their gratitude for members of the nation’s military this month by throwing their support behind NCPacks4Patriots.

According to PCC Nursing Instructor Lynne Braxton, the future health care workers created approximately 500 cards for American troops and delivered them to the nonprofit organization, along with a financial contribution.

“Given that COVID-19 restrictions have changed the options for community service, we selected a simple service project to provide holiday cards to be included in the holiday gift boxes sent to our military by NCPacks4Patriots,” Braxton said.

Located in Ayden, NCPacks4Patriots (NCP4P) is committed to supporting troops and their family members by providing them with care and comfort items and expressions of appreciation for their service and sacrifices. The organization welcomes volunteers to help fill care packages with donations from the community, such as basic hygiene supplies, snacks, recreational items, military t-shirts, boot socks, batteries and first aid supplies.

“When I walked in with the cards made by our nursing students, NCP4P Director Barbara Whitehead was so grateful, because she said they had just run out of holiday cards the day before,” Braxton said. “It was nice knowing that our cards will help NCP4P reach additional members of the military with touching words of appreciation.”

Braxton said the monetary donation to NCPacksforPatriots was the result of fundraising by the PCC Association of Nursing Students. She said the student club decided to contribute $500 members raised this fall to help NCP4P cover the cost of shipping care packages overseas.

“Each box costs $14 to ship,” she said. “Our contribution meant that 35 gift boxes could be sent to our troops. That’s 35 military men and women who will benefit directly from our efforts.”

Braxton added that knowing their contributions would make a meaningful impact on people’s lives had “touched the lives of our nursing students.”

To contribute to NCPacks4Patriots or volunteer with creating care packages, email NCP4P@yahoo.com for details.