Hidden Gems: Meet Jennifer Leavitt of Packages From Home

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Leavitt.

Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Packages From Home was founded by Kathleen Lewis in 2004 after her son Christian enlisted in the US Army infantry and was deployed to Iraq. Christian received care packages from his mother, which provided him with needed and familiar items and reminded him that he had not been forgotten and that there were people back home supporting him. However, Christian was the only soldier in his squad receiving packages and letters from home, which made Kathleen realize that many troops might have different support systems. Kathleen rallied her closest friends and decided to “adopt” Christian’s entire squad, sending packages to all of the troops in Christian’s unit.

This gesture sparked the creation of Packages From Home, a nonprofit organization that provides care and comfort packages to deployed American military personnel. The organization’s mission is to remind troops of home and show them their sacrifices are appreciated. Packages From Home also aims to bridge the gap between civilians and military personnel by encouraging people to get involved and support the troops. Since its founding, Packages From Home has provided over 200,948 care packages and 463 tons of items, impacting over 1 million active-duty US military service members, veterans, and military K-9s. Packages From Home relies on donations and volunteers to continue its mission. The organization accepts monetary donations, personal hygiene products, non-perishable food items, and entertainment items like DVDs and books. Volunteers help assemble and pack the care packages and also help with fundraising events.

Overall, Packages From Home is a testament to the power of a mother’s love and community involvement, a reminder that even the smallest gesture can make a big difference in the lives of those who serve our country.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Packages From Home has faced significant challenges in raising enough funds to cover postage, product, and overhead costs and raising awareness about the continued need for support for our troops and veterans. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting closures and economic recessions have added further obstacles to the organization’s efforts to keep its mission moving forward.

Much work must be done to ensure our troops and veterans receive the care and support they deserve. Despite these challenges, Packages From Home has continued to provide care packages and other forms of support to military personnel serving overseas and veterans in need. The organization relies on the generosity and support of donors and volunteers to continue its mission.

It’s important to note that many members of the public need to be made aware that we still have over 176,000 troops deployed in over 176 countries. This underscores the ongoing need to support our military personnel away from their families for extended periods. This lack of awareness can make it challenging to raise support and awareness for our military personnel who are away from their families for extended periods.

In light of the ongoing US military deployments worldwide, it is essential to remember that our service members make daily sacrifices to protect our country and ensure our safety. Organizations like Packages From Home are critical in showing our appreciation and support for their service and sacrifice.

Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Packages From Home, we’re on a mission to make a difference in the lives of military personnel and veterans worldwide. Since 2004, we’ve been sending care and comfort packages to deployed American military personnel, reminding them of home and showing them that their sacrifices are appreciated. Our carefully curated care packages include personal hygiene products, non-perishable food items, and entertainment items like DVDs and books, and we even offer customizable volunteer events called “packing parties” where people can come together and make a difference while having fun and building community.

But our mission continues. We also run the Packages For Hope program, providing essential items to struggling veterans, including non-perishable food, care products, household items, and clothing. This program is designed to support veterans experiencing hardships or being homeless and needing basic necessities. Also, we remember the active duty K9s and service animals for veterans, too – our programs also assist these special animals who serve our country.

At Packages From Home, community involvement and support are key. We rely on donations and volunteers to continue our mission and actively encourage people to get involved and support the troops. We’re proud to partner with other groups and charities to create a network of support for those in need, and we’ve impacted over 1 million active-duty U.S. military service members, veterans, and military K9s so far.

We’re a nonprofit organization passionate about making a difference in the lives of military personnel, veterans, and their service animals in need. With our carefully curated care packages, customizable volunteer events, and programs like Packages For Hope, we’re making a meaningful impact in the lives of those who have served our country.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is knowing that we’re making a positive difference in the lives of military personnel and veterans. Receiving messages of gratitude from those who acquire our care packages like these drives home the importance of what we do:

“I think half the fun of receiving packages is sharing them. I barely opened the box when a soldier said, “Oh, I love Cheese Nips.” When I entered my room and dumped the contents on my bed, my roommate said, “You got Tagalongs! Can I have one?”

“I want you to know that your gifts greatly impact our lives. Most important of which is the support. As we continue to operate under stressful conditions, I have noticed contact with people from the US, in the form of letters and packages, has an amazing and uplifting impact on the soldiers.”

“Thank you for your wonderful organization and their generous donation of the care package you sent me. My marines loved the little reminders from home, and we will always be grateful to you and the men, women, and children who took time out of their lives to remind us that we are not forgotten.” This – A message from a marine. Knowing that we’ve brought a little joy to an active-duty person’s life or helped a veteran in need means everything to us. Everyone serving our country deserves a reminder of home and a token of our appreciation. That’s why we provide personalized care packages and support programs to show gratitude and support.

Another thing that matters to us is community involvement. We offer opportunities for veteran families and community members to unite, build a sense of community, and give back to those who have served our country. Overall, what matters most to me is the positive impact we’re making in the lives of military personnel and veterans and the sense of community we’ve built around our mission. We’re honored to be able to show our support for those who serve our country and make a difference in their lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.packagesfromhome.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/packagesfromhome
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/pkgsfromhome
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/packages-from-home/ 

Image Credits
Pictures taken by PFH at an event or received with permission to use.