This past Saturday, November 2, hordes of Burbank residents along with a slew of realtors from Keller Williams gathered in the Keller Williams parking lot to enjoy music, BBQ, donate blood and pack gift boxes that will be shipped to Military service personnel across the world.
In addition to packing boxes for the troops, there was a bloodmobile accepting blood donations, a mini car-show, raffle and even a bounce house for the kids to enjoy.
Over 10 years ago, Burbank resident Marc Cutter and his wife Karen came up with the idea to reach out to Military personnel serving across the country by packing boxes of goodies with things such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, candy bars, playing cards, new socks, paperback books, soap, pictures and letters of thanks and love.
Cutter, himself a decorated Vietnam Veteran, knew what items the soldiers would enjoy; certain things he actually missed from home while in the service. Marc and his wife Karen, who were part of Burbank Veteran Committee, approached the City about a partnership. The City pays the shipping cost and all the items in the boxes are donated.
Marc passed away a couple of years ago, but what he and Karen started continues today with Marc’s blessings. The story about Marc’s passing can be read here: https://myburbank.com/?p=6574.
If you missed this past weekend’s box packing event, donations can always be left at McCambridge Park, Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mickey DePalo, who was a close friend of Marc and is also a Veterans Committee Member, said, if people know a soldier serving, email Mickey at legacymickey@yahoo.com, and he will make sure a package is shipped to that particular soldier.
The 981 packages that were completed this past Saturday should all be shipped out by the coming holidays, just in time to let a soldier know he is missed from back home, here in Burbank.
