Local couple launch Hearts from Home Christmas boxes for troops

By

Gerald Tracey, Publisher


October 29, 2024

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Eganville – Before they retired from their careers, Pete and Katie Guibord of R.R. 2, Eganville, knew what it was like to work during the Christmas season. He was an entertainer and she was a nurse, so many times they were working while others were celebrating the most magical time of the year.

That’s one of the reasons why the Guibords undertake an annual project to send boxes of goods to soldiers who are out of the country at Christmas.

Called Hearts from Home, the Guibords have placed 12 decorated boxes at locations in Eganville where area residents are invited to drop off goods that will be sent to the soldiers. They are asking for food, personal and other items including clothing and games.

In the food category, such items as Pepperoni sticks, drink packages, Pringles/chips. Beef Jerky, Tim Horton’s coffee, Nutella, Vienna sausage, Pop tarts/Granola Bars, instant coffee, nuts, licorice, Gummy Bears, fruit rollups and things like that are acceptable.

In the clothing department, socks, t-shirts, undershirts and slippers are items that are appreciated while personal items can range from lip balm, sunscreen, tooth brushes and toothpaste, deodorant, mouth wash, shaving cream, soaps and body wash, toilet paper and hand face wipes, feminine hygiene products, Kleenex and Vaseline.

Books, puzzles, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, DVDs/Movies, playing cards and poker chips help to provide entertainment. Other items appreciated are Christmas cards they can send home, newspapers and magazines, pens, envelopes and note pads, hand/feet warmers, dog and cat food and small Ziploc bags.

A few items are not allowed and this includes alcohol, chocolate (because it could melt in transit) and no glass items.

The Guibords have been coordinating the boxes locally for the last two years, but they have been involved in the program since 2011.

“A friend back in Peterborough asked me if I would like to help and I said sure because they (the troops) do so much for us globally,” Mrs. Guibord said. “It’s hard to be away from home at Christmas. I worked as a nurse and I know what it’s like to work at Christmas.”

Boxes have been placed at the following locations: Conway’s Pharmacy, BMO, Home Hardware, Foodland, Foodmart, the Leader, the Rio, Eganville Shell, Eganville Country Depot, Eganville Clothing Bank, B&B Auto Detailing and Golden Lake Phamasave.

“We had a great response last year,” Mrs. Guibord said, adding she expects strong community support again this year.

The deadline for dropping items at any of the named locations is November 21. Then the boxes are taken to Belleville where the contents are checked and then they are sent out to wherever they are needed.

We have received many letters from Padres thanking us for all of the donations and for helping to lift their spirits,” Mrs. Guibord said.

There is a guest book at the Bonnechere Union Public Library and anyone who would like to pen a message for the troops may do so by visiting the library during operating hours.

The Guibords retired to the area several years ago and are known for their custom-made birdhouses and feeders. Their business is called Home Tweet Home.