Service Beyond Duty: Headwaters’ Pledge to Support Military Families

At Headwaters, we seek to inspire passion to serve others all around the world. Most of our efforts are focused on communities that have endured natural disasters, but one of our longest-running projects has taken place right here at home. It’s likely that every American knows someone who has either been deployed or has been emotionally impacted by the deployment of a loved one. Since 2001, between 1.9 and 3 million military members have served in Afghanistan and Iraq, and over half of them have deployed more than once. While troops were largely brought home between 2011 and 2021, there are still 160,000 to 170,000 active-duty personnel stationed outside the United States.

Many families know all too well that serving in the military or having a relative stationed overseas can lead to loneliness, stress and at times, feelings of helplessness. Care packages are some of the easiest and most appreciated ways to show soldiers that we’re thinking of them and are grateful for their service. Two decades ago, Headwaters’ parent company Orion launched a care package initiative to send items and messages of support to hundreds of men and women serving our country abroad. Our organization has since taken the reins, continuing their efforts.

In 2003, employees and volunteers began gathering monthly to assemble kits with items ranging from hygiene necessities, baked goods, games, snacks, and even drawings and letters from kids in the employee daycare center. Our care packages shifted to a quarterly effort in 2021 as the number of active-duty members overseas decreased.

At the end of the day, we’re in the business of serving people, not politics. This project has given support to not only our troops, but our team members and volunteers whose loved ones have been deployed. Participating in these care packages tells families that they are not the only people caring for their child, spouse, parent or friend. “When we’re sending these packages, we’re sending them to peoples’ kids,” said former program leader Angela Cavalier. “Even if people don’t politically align or agree, we can align on that.”

Americans are still enlisting every day—people who weren’t even born yet when this program launched 20 years ago. Our mission is to bring hope and build resilience in people and communities, so it’s our responsibility to extend that mission to our very own community members who commit massive parts of their lives to serving our country.

Of the hundreds of care packages we’ve put together, here are some of the most common and appreciated items included: 

Snacks:

• Chips,
• nuts or cookies in hard-sided containers
• beef jerky
• Ramen
• non-melting candy or trail mix

Photos and notes:

• Photos of loved ones pets or favorite places along with notes of encouragement and other uplifting messages.

Homemade baked goods:

• Cookies and “cake in a jar” are two of the most popular items to include in a care package, using sturdy packaging to prevent the items being crushed in transit

The need for support is constantly unfolding around the world and right here in the United States. If you’re interested in getting involved in our efforts, we’re always accepting volunteers of all ages and skill levels. Financial contributions are another easy way to help. 100% of donations go directly to those in need.

The need for support is constantly unfolding around the world and right here in the United States. If you’re interested in getting involved in our efforts, we’re always accepting volunteers of all ages and skill levels. Financial contributions are another easy way to help. 100% of donations go directly to those in need.