NEW ORLEANS — Operation We Care has been sending care packages to troops overseas for two decades. This month they are shipping King cakes.
Colleen Smith is a military mom and spouse, so she sees the need for these care packages daily.
"It's really a morale booster. It lets them know that we are here, and we care," said Smith. "It's amazing that for 20 years, people have still been giving to our troops overseas."
In the spirit of Carnival season and honoring our troops, they are sending king cakes decorated with purple, green, gold, and of course, red, white, and blue. Volunteers with the organization showed up to load up and ship out 100 King cakes from Randazzo's Camellia Bakery in Slidell. It's a partnership that has been going on for years.
Owner Tricia Randazzo Zornes said, "It's so important to us because without them, we don't have our freedom. So, when they say troops, we say, 'Yes, how many!' "
Even though the bakery is in the middle of a busy carnival season, making hundreds of kingcakes on the daily, Randazzo Zornes said she always has to make time to send a little piece of Louisiana to the troops.
Randazzo Zornes said, "We just want to give a little joy and spread a southern hospitality to the people, so it's going to be wonderful when they get it."
The signature Louisiana treat is just a small fraction of what the non-profit sends to troops every month. Smith says they try to fill every request the troops make. Some of their requests might Suprise you.
"Tony Chachere's they ask for specifically! And also, razors, white socks, and qtips, a variety of things like that," said Smith.
Since 2003, Smith said they have sent over 38,000 care packages for troops. She said they don't plan on stopping any time soon. The nonprofit is always looking for help with its care packages year-round.
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