Local high school student donates care packages to deployed troops

A high school senior is sending deployed soldiers a very special gift for the holidays.

Every student at West Salem High School has to do an exit project in order to graduate.

But Hannah Corbin didn’t just want to do any regular project she wanted to make a difference.

“I would send him things like pictures and letters,” Hannah said.

In 2005 and again in 2009 Hannah Corbin’s dad was deployed to Iraq.

“Whenever we would make care packages it felt like I was sending him a piece from home,” Hannah said.

Getting care packages, helped her dad, Chris Corbin, make it through his deployment.

“It was a great break, you’re constantly worrying about your mission and you’re worrying as well about what’s going on at the home front back home,” Chris said.

Which is why Hannah is sending 80 care packages to soldiers in Afghanistan.

“I decided that I wanted to give military families the same feeling,” Hannah said.

In order to make her dream a reality, Hannah reached out to Operation Homefront and got to work.

“I started to collect products, and do fundraising so that I could get all the products for the packages,” Hannah said.

She started this project in June and is now ready to send her packages, just in time for the holidays.

“We have candy and gum along with toothbrushes,” Hannah

And while the gifts may seem simple Chris said in a war zone it’s the little things that matter most.

“Couldn’t be more proud of her. There’s many things that you can’t get while you’re over there so any little amenity that you can have just makes the deployment that much easier for yourself,” Chris said.

And even though it was a lot of work, Hannah said it’s the least she can do.

“It means a lot to me that I’m giving the soldiers comfort and the families as well,” Hannah said.

Operation Homefront helped Hannah by giving her advice and donating some of the items in the care packages.

Those packages will be mailed out on Monday and should arrive overseas in two to three weeks.

If you would like to donate items or get involved go to operationhomefront.net.

ONALASKA, Wis. (WKBT) – — Get your weather forecast from people that actually live in your community. We update with short, easy-to-use video forecasts you can watch on your phone every day. Download the iOS or Android app here.

COPYRIGHT 2023 BY NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.