Celebrating 10 Years of Giving: Employees Give Back with Care Packages for U.S. Military Members

Led by Cisco’s Veterans Enablement and Troop Support ERO, four sites — San Jose, Ohio, Herndon and Research Triangle Park — held Cisco’s annual Memorial Care Package Drive in honor of Major John D. Gerrie, United States Air Force (USAF).

Major Gerrie lost his life January 16, 2016 supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. His spouse, Amy, is a Cisco Business Development Manager and lives in Richardson, Texas with her three children. Cisco volunteers have been supporting Cisco’s Care Package Drive for 10 years, since 2006.

The VETS ERO volunteers assemble care packages supplying snacks, entertainment and hygiene items for US military members deployed overseas. Each care package box weighs about 20 pounds and contains a short note saying where the packages are from and the purpose of the drive.

The VETS ERO team in San Jose enjoyed assembling care packages for military members overseas (Photo Credit: Ken Estep)

This year, volunteers shipped 276 packages to the soldiers serving in remote locations. In addition, the Care Package Drive at the RTP location raised over $1,600 in donations and volunteer hour matches for the Military Mission in Action non profit organization.

Besides the camaraderie shared by our VETS ERO volunteers on this project, the real satisfaction was embodied in a tribute from an Air Force Master Sergeant’s note of thanks saying, “Wow, each box was a little slice of heaven and his troops were overwhelmed with respect for an organization that cares so much about the troops that still serve.”

Congratulations to all the VETS ERO members and supporters who participated in the 2016 Care Package Drive.

Learn more about Cisco Corporate Social Responsibility’s Veterans Program today!