Mission complete.
Those were the words Oct. 31 of U.S. Army veteran Adam J. Avenia, who with Alyssa Antonucci and a team of volunteers organized a supply drive for troops serving overseas.
Avenia, 26, served for a year as a military police officer in Afghanistan. He returned to the United States in 2013.
Last month the Ansonia couple joined forces with Operation Gratitude, a national organization that sends care packages to the troops. Together — along with many, many posts on social media — they launched “Mission: Give Back.”
The Gordon-Visselli American Legion Post 50 helped organize the event as well.
On Saturday Avenia and Antonucci and their volunteers stationed themselves in the parking lot of Nolan Athletic Complex on Wakelee Avenue to collect donations.
The crew filled 35 cartons with toiletries, hats, socks, scarves, snacks, books, games, and more to be shipped to military personnel.
Antonucci said they were grateful to Lowe’s and Home Depot for donating the cartons. She said the cartons could cost as much as $60 apiece to ship and they are seeking donations to defray shipping costs.
Avenia said the outpouring of support from residents gave him “chills.”
“We have a great support team of family and friends packing (items) right now so we can ship the donations,” Antonucci said.
U.S. Army vet Dave Doebrick of Monroe, served during the Vietnam War. He was part of the volunteer crew Saturday.
“I think it’s about time that the public (is grateful) for what the servicemen have done,” Doebrick said.
Avenia said that when he was overseas something as simple as receiving a new pair of socks made a difference.
Antonucci said they hoped to make the drive an annual event to make the holiday season brighter for the troops.
Elementary schoolchildren from Ansonia wrote thank you notes and drew pictures for the troops, and students at St. Aloysius Elementary School in New Canaan wrote out Christmas cards to be included in the shipment.
Beacon Falls resident Christine Vartko stopped by and donated socks, toiletries, and snacks to the cause.
She commended Antonucci and Avenia on their efforts.
“I never knew what the troops didn’t have,” she said. “We have to help them. Every little bag will add up.”
