Westmont Fire Department sends care packages overseas

The Westmont Fire Department recently assembled 100 care packages for the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry serving overseas in Afghanistan just outside of Kandahar.

"Several of our Firefighters and Police Officers have family members who are soldiers and serving in this troop, so we wanted to give back and let them know we are thinking of them," said Westmont Fire Chief Steve Riley. "I am very proud of our department for coming together and making this project successful."

The Westmont Firefighters Association (WFA), which consists of current employees of the Westmont Fire Department, created a fundraising effort last year just for this cause.

They designed t-shirts and sweatshirts, and sold them at Westmont community events.

The WFA plans on continuing their fundraising efforts so they can make this an annual project.

Each care package contains items to help the soldiers with everyday life and also a few things they might miss from home.

The firefighters packed lens cleaning wipes, baby wipes, deodorant, gum, trail mix, protein bars, sunflower seeds, cookies, beef sticks, flavor packets for water, and more.

With the fundraising efforts and a charity called Helping Hero's of America, which will be paying for all shipping costs, these care packages should get to our soldiers by the end of January.

If you are interested in donating to the Westmont Firefighters Association, please contact Lt. Chris Gerlich at 630-981-6400.