OXFORD - The Fort Hill American Legion Post 376 has been helping collect certain donated goods for Oxford resident, Jessica Thompson on behalf of her husband, Rob.

A member of Post 376, Rob is currently serving with the 1156th Engineer Company, New York Army National Guard out of Kingston, NY and Camp Smith, NY.

Jessica wanted to send ‘care packages’ to Rob's whole unit – men and women now in Kuwait – and she received an overwhelming response from the community.

Word of the care package requests for Rob and the 1156th Engineer Company started with a few of Jessica’s friends who knew about various items that the Company would like to have. The though that receiving a care package from home could be a real morale booster for the deployed service members, was a huge inspiration to the cause.

Community interest in helping the cause grew to include the Oxford Tavern, the First United Methodist Church in Bainbridge, American Legion Post 376, the NYS Veterans Home, Facebook, and HALos (Help After Loss).

Of the people who donated and helped make this possible it was said that their ‘generosity was overwhelming.’

Due to the online presence, packages of food from soup to nuts, and toiletry items were not just limited to Chenango County or even New York State. An amazing array of items came from all over the country, from states such as: Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Iowa, Tennessee, Illinois, and California. Packages flowed in through the mail to the Legion Post 376 in Oxford, the drop-off location.

Many helping hands at the Legion assisted Jessica in loading up her truck with the packages that were collected, until the trcuk was completely filled.