Duke Cooper with American Veterans First and several veterans volunteered to hit the streets in the 209 area recently to raise funds for “Operation Not Forgotten.”

The veterans were posted at several Save Mart stores in Turlock, Manteca, Tracy, Oakdale, Ceres, Stockton, Ripon, and Riverbank in October and November where they collected funds to send care packages to service men and women serving our country. The care packages have been carefully packed with a variety of treats and snacks and will be shipped off this month.

Cooper said it’s important that, fighting for our freedom away from home, they will know they are not forgotten this holiday season. The cost to ship the packages can be hefty but through generous donations from people in the Central Valley the crew at American Veterans First was able to fill 164 care packages. Donations helped cover the cost to ship the care packages, which will be $2,850.

For more information visit the American Veterans First website on Facebook. Donations to assist with this and future projects can be mailed to P.O. Box 344, Riverbank, CA 95367.