Seniors make care packages for soldiers in Afghanistan

As a nurse for 25 years, caring had always been a part of Mary Anne Bane’s personality, so helping service members in Afghanistan comes instinctively.

For the seventh year, Bane, along with 10 other Costa Mesa seniors, put together care packages at Bethel Towers on Saturday for five soldiers in Afghanistan.

“I just felt like it was time to do something,” Bane said. “And this is our way of showing our support. We’re seniors and we don’t have a lot of money, but when you put it all together, our [care] boxes are overflowing.”

Bane and Donald Andrews, who regularly works with the Wounded Warrior program at Camp Pendleton, chose to send the packages to five soldiers who would not have the opportunity to come home for the holiday season.

“I just feel like these [soldiers] are going on their own free will,” Bane said. “They’re not being drafted, and they’re over there fighting for us. This is the least we can do.”

The care packages include toothbrushes, toothpaste, candy and Sudoku games, all of which the seniors donated. Bane said each package weighs about 45 pounds. Each senior signed a card for every soldier.

Although Bane doesn’t anticipate donating multiple times a year, she said she will probably donate to more soldiers next year.

[email protected]

Twitter: @TheDailyPilot