On Feb. 6 alumni, Capital Semester students and staff gathered for the annual TFAS tradition of making care packages for American men and women in uniform and their families.
For the second year in a row, the event coincided with the birthday of The Fund for American Studies. Attendees celebrated with pizza and birthday cupcakes, while assembling toiletry bags. The bags will be placed in the USO lounges at Washington-area airports.
“This project is an extension of the TFAS mission- to recognize the people who protect our freedom,” said Betsy Bryant (IBGA 05). Bryant organized the project as part of her role as service chair of the D.C. Alumni Chapter.
Bryant said the tradition of making care packages began six years ago, when a number of TFAS alumni were serving overseas. Students, alumni and staff assembled boxes of goods to be shipped to their fellow alumni. As more and more service members came back to the states, a TFAS alumna recommended making the toiletry bags for USO members at local airports, where she volunteered regularly.
Bags included tissues, shaving cream, deodorant, chap stick, granola bars, other hygiene items and even hand-written notes from alumni and students.
One student wrote “Thank you for your service! I’m so grateful I get to live in a country protected by the best. Hope you and your family are well. God bless!”
The event also provided an opportunity for current students to meet TFAS alumni. “Enjoy the time you have,” advised alumna Leah Davis (CSF 09). “It goes by so fast.”
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