InformHouston.com

The HCC Northwest Student Services Department and Veteran's Success Center co-hosted a summer care package drive for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Donations were given to the Military Moms and Wives of Brazoria County (MMWBC) to be used in the thousands of care packages they assemble and ship every year to American heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

MMWBC's mission is "to support the moral and spiritual health of our American heroes in the armed forces in combat zones around the world through the letters and care packages that are hand packed with love and are shipped by caring volunteers who support all branches of service." MMWBC has been featured by television stations locally and nationally on Good Morning America, World News and Fox and Friends.

MMWBC founder Mary Moreno rejoiced when she saw the hundreds of items generously donated by HCC faculty, staff, students and community partners.

"Many people take it for granted that someone else is taking care of our American heroes. Our organization sends supplies to men and women troops fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. The soldiers we support come from all around the United States," Moreno said.

Items collected are meant to motivate and entertain our heroic soldiers. They include snacks, candies, playing cards, magazines, socks, hygiene products and countless other necessities. Memorial Drive Methodist Church also assisted with the drive by donating bulk items for the troops. Andrew Bruce, HCC Northwest Student Services Associate and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps., Lance Corporal ranking, spearheaded the college's donation efforts.

"This experience has been a good reminder for everyone that we are taking advantage of the benefits given to us because of those military heroes fighting overseas. If this is the most we can do by collecting items for care packages, then this is so easy, and I look forward to collecting more and more supplies," Bruce said.

HCC currently serves 2,933 veterans and veteran dependents throughout the college's 22 locations. The HCC Office of Veteran Affairs works tirelessly to support veteran students with enrollment and course completion at the college. Additionally, the Office of Veteran Affairs eagerly supports initiatives benefitting our active duty armed forces.

"There is nothing more important than creating a welcome-home environment for our veterans," said Dr. Zachary Hodges, HCC Northwest President. "HCC is the higher education choice for veterans."

Bruce hopes to continue the Soldier Care Package Drive until the troops come home, and he will gladly facilitate any donations to MMWBC. For more information, email andrew.bruce1@hccs.edu or call 713.718.5917. To learn more about the MMWBC, visit militarymomsandwives.org.