Troops overseas will receive care packages thanks to AT&T grant

FRANKLIN (WITI) -- As the holidays approach, a donation from AT&T will help bring some holiday cheer to nearly 400 U.S. troops serving overseas and away from their families through the “Books for Soldiers” program at the Franklin Public Library.

The “Books for Soldiers” program is a national non-profit that identifies the specific needs of troops overseas and send customized care packages to individual soldiers, platoons, companies or even entire brigades.  For more information, please visit www.friendsofthefranklinpubliclibrary.org and www.booksforsoldiers.com.

A $4,000 AT&T Innovation Award presented Monday, November 11th to the Friends of the Franklin Public Library during a special Veterans Day program will help the library send care packages to nearly 400 U.S. troops stationed abroad this holiday season as part of “Books for Soldiers.”

“Our brave men and women in uniform put their lives on the line for our country every day, and sending them these care packages is the least we can do to honor their service and sacrifice,” said Karen Grochowski, “Books for Soldiers” Coordinator at the Franklin Public Library.  “We hope these books and DVDs will bring a little cheer to our troops serving away from home this holiday season.”

Since 2004, volunteers at the Franklin Public Library have provided several thousand care packages for U.S. troops in cooperation with “Books for Soldiers.”  Reading material is the foundation for each package.  Other items include DVDs, personal care items, snacks, pillow cases, and handwritten thank you letters from local residents and children.  This time of year, holiday decorations, stockings and home-baked cookies also brighten the season for troops deployed so far from home.