Mercy senior Tori Ottinger is leading the Mercy drive to collect supplies for care packages to send to soldiers in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay this holiday season. Ottinger got the idea when she talked to a woman whose son was deployed. The woman explained how difficult it is for families to spend money on huge care packages to send to the servicemen and women.

Mercy is collecting items to send overseas to deployed soldiers who are away from their families during Christmas. Packages will be sent to various units that have a Mercy connection. The items being collected are basic toiletries, small games, and non-perishable food items like energy bars or gum. Along with the help of Ms. Judy Dennis in pastoral ministry, Ottinger will send the packages on Dec. 11.

Ottinger’s uncle is in the army and she will be sending a set of care packages to his platoon in Afghanistan.

“These solider do so much to keep us protected,” said Ottinger. “The least we can do is give back to them.”

Currently, the drive is only for the holiday season, but Ottinger hopes she can send packages all year round.

“I hope this program picks up at Mercy and lasts even after I graduate,” said Ottinger. “We need to share our resources with those who are forgotten about.”

Later in the year, Ottinger’s uncle is planning to present the school with an American flag as a gift of thanks for Mercy’s service.

“We ask that everyone would participate and help to make somebody else’s holiday special,” said Ottinger.