LAKEPORT — More than 30 volunteers of all ages attended the Operation Tango Mike (OTM) Christmas Packing Party on Thursday night.
The packing party was held at Umpqua Bank in Lakeport and volunteers consisted of military personnel, veterans, family of deployed military and children.
Scott Drew, a Vietnam veteran from Clearlake Oaks, had never been to a packing party before.
“I am overwhelmed,” Drew said as he teared up when asked about the party.
OTM sends monthly care packages to deployed military personnel overseas.
Loritta Harteis, 4, of Nice decorated a box stuffed full of goodies with stickers, while many other children giggled as they shared with each other their decorated boxes.
Nate Wilson, 8, of Clearlake sat along side his mother, Denise Wilson filling boxes. Denise, with the sewing skills of Robin Reno and Karen Avina, made more than 60 stockings to be stuffed and placed in the Christmas care packages. Denise became an active volunteer for OTM about three years ago after her older son, Lance Cpl. Ivan Wilson, was killed in action on July 21, 2008 by an Improvised Explosive Device.
Overall the volunteers stuffed 175 mini-stockings as well as more than 60 boxes addressed to active military members who are serving around the world. The boxes contained holiday treats as well as a few bare necessities.
OTM holds its packing parties on the third Thursday of each month at Umpqua Bank, located at 805 11th St. in Lakeport. Next packing party will be on Dec. 19.
A pancake breakfast will be held on Dec. 8 at the Kelseyville Lions Club, located at 4335 Sylar Lane in Kelseyville, to raise funds for goods and shipping for the packages.
For information on OTM, call founder Ginny Craven at 349-2838.
