Mansfield Marine Sister Spearheads Care Packages For Deployed Unit In Need

MANSFIELD (CBS) -- When Mansfield resident Lauren Eliopoulos heard Marines in her brother's military unit were in need of basic supplies, she took action.

Eliopoulos's brother is deployed to the Middle East aboard a ship, and she says many Marines in his unit don't have snacks or toiletries. She's now preparing 150 care packages she hopes to send overseas on September 1.

Eliopoulos created a GoFundMe page hoping the money she raises will offset the shipping costs. She is also soliciting donations of basic toiletries like toothbrushes and toothpastes, and snacks like beef jerky, cereal and protein bars.

"Having someone you love being deployed is beyond any emotion or feeling I could have imagined feeling," Eliopoulos wrote on the fundraising page. "I can't imagine having someone you love being deployed, and not be able to send them care packages and items they need due to financial reasons."

"Together, lets show our Marines, our fighting force and our heroes that we, as Americans, care," she wrote.

This is not Eliopoulos's first good deed to troops overseas. In 2014, her organization 'Hero Helpers of America,' collected more than 100,000 holiday cards which were sent to deployed service members.

Anyone donating goods can drop them off at The Triplicity Group at 1776 Washington Street in Walpole.