Packages From Home Supports Our Troops

There are many Troop Support Organizations throughout the US doing great work on supporting our military in the combat zones by sending care packages to individual soldiers and units. One of these non-profit organizations is Packages From Home, based in PhoenixArizona. What makes PFH unique among the many is Jan Johnson and her crew. Jan is the designated MWR Coordinator for PFH and provides support to MWR Professionals in the war zones. I recently did an email interview with Jan for this article. The tireless efforts of PFH to support the troops in this additional way is a boon to you and is a tool you should have in your ruck.

PFH is a Department of Defense Trusted Entity, so no full names, no specific locations, are cited on their website. Name and address information is not shared. One of the ways Jan and PFH is most helpful is by providing the packets of skin care lotions, Books and Magazines that you can distribute in the MWR. Additionally when the troops from the Combat Outposts come in to the FOB you can provide her name and email to the designated MWR soldier for more assistance.

My association with Jan and PFH started at FOB Falcon and continued at FOB Hammer. PFH’s many donations helped keep our library one of the best in class, and through the brutal summer sun at the Hammer the lotions and products she sent were a great asset at the Rec. I always felt she was one of the Angels on my shoulder while I was there. I know she stands at the ready to be one of yours. God Bless her, her team, and the Packages from Home Organization.

How long have you/your org been collecting stuff for the troops? The organization started almost 6 years ago, when the founder's son went on his first mission into Iraq (he's now in Afghanistan on his 4th mission).

How do you receive donations? Donations are made in person or through the internet or by mail. We have a number of drop-off locations throughout the Phoenix area where people can drop donations, or they can bring them to the packing center (1201 S. 7th Ave. - Phoenix, AZ85007 - on the campus of Phoenix MemorialHospital) Monetary donations can be made by check, credit card, or Paypal. There are links on the website.

What is the Address of your web site? http://www.packagesfromhome.org/

Can I use your name and let folks know how to contact you? You bet. Feel free to give out my email address jj@amug.org and phone number (623-937-5830) as well as the packing center number (602-254-2818)

I also recieved this supplemental Info from Jan, (still making me look good)

While I answered your questions, I realized that some information was missing. Shortly after the war broke out, I started a program called "Books for Soldiers" (not the one that's national, but that's where I got the idea). It was through this program that I met my first MWR worker (Kara Luginbill). Anyway, I had access to an unlimited number of used books, so it was an easy fit. I also joined "The Hugs Project" (they make cool ties to ship to the troops). It was through another member of The Hugs Project that I first learned of Packages. I was told that they really needed someone to handle their book room. That was an understatement. I started volunteering at Packages and as the sports equipment donations began to grow and just sit in the closet, I took over sending the sports stuff and the donations of other larger and sometimes oddball stuff. By this time Kara had put me in touch with several other MWRs, and so the story goes. I got more and more stuff and more and more names. At this point I'm in touch with about 50 MWRs and/or military POCs. The best part is that I've worked with some of you guys long enough that you know you can give out my info to others who need help and we get to serve more and more groups.

Jan Johnson

MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) Coordinator

Packages From Home