This Thursday, November 7, you have the opportunity to give back to our troops by stopping by the KSBY studios.
Si Tenenberg will be dropping off care packages that he has filled with supplies for service members overseas.
All you have to do is pick up one of those boxes and pay for the shipping, and you'll be able to provide what one Master Sergeant says felt like Christmas every time a box would arrive.
For Marine veteran Si Tenenberg, it all started with donating some books to a local hospital drive before he was inspired to create his own project giving back to the troops.
"All of a sudden I got emails from the guys in Afghanistan that were in the Hindu Kush in December of 2006 and these guys would say to me, 'I really appreciate the books but I gotta tell you the truth, we're cold and hungry,'" Tenenberg said.
Now he's sent close to 22,000 boxes to more than 40 countries.
The care packages include things like socks, snacks and toiletries to help fill the gaps in what the government is providing.
They also have different items depending on what time of year the box is being sent.
"If it's summer time, we'll put in fly tape because the flies and insects over there are terrible. We'll put in bug spray for the mosquitoes and the bugs, and we'll put in neck coolers," Tenenberg said.
Service members overseas get a hold of Tenenberg by writing an email on a site called AnySoldier.com with their unit size and the types of things they need.
Some of those emails have now lead to friendships.
Back in 2013, U.S. Army Master Sergeant Jordan Parks was deployed in Afghanistan when he began corresponding with Si and receiving boxes.
"It is like Christmas because you know it's from somebody you don't know whose put thought into what they're sending you. When Si sent stuff, it was always stuff that we wanted or needed and there was always thought and care put into it, even down to the way they packaged it," Master Sgt. Parks said.
Parks and Tenenberg kept in touch over the years that followed and when Parks was assigned to Camp Roberts last year, Si was one of his first calls.
"When I found out I was only going to be 30 minutes away, it was awesome to be able to come to Si and thank him and meet the guy that was sending us those packages," Parks said.
Now the two are hoping to continue to spread the word about the troop care packages and garner more support for spreading joy overseas.
"Even how insignificant you may think it is, it's greatly appreciated on the other side when we receive something like that," Parks said.
"Regardless of what's in the box, they don't care, it's just the fact that somebody back home, a total stranger, is wiling to send them something to boost their moral. It means a lot to our guys and that's one of the reasons why I can't stop doing it," Tenenberg said.
The boxes cost $18.45 each to ship.
KSBY will be live with Tenenberg from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the KSBY studio in San Luis Obispo at 1772 Calle Joaquin. Boxes will also be available during that time at KSBY's Santa Maria location at 731 South Lincoln St.
Checks made out to USPS in increments of $18.45 can also be dropped off during Thursday's event to help with shipping costs.
Donations to “Helping Soldiers in the Desert” will also be accepted.
For more information on Tenenberg's operation, visit troopcarepacks.org.
