BRADENTON — He would need something warm. He loved the Florida State Seminoles. He didn’t have much space.
Those were the thoughts 17-year-old Sam Corbett had as he shopped with his mother, Kim, for his older brother, U.S. Army Spc. Ben Corbett, who is stationed in Afghanistan.
“We’re trying to find something he can actually use when he’s there,” said Kim Corbett, of Palmetto, as she walked down a shopping aisle Wednesday with Sam at Beall’s Department Store, 6355 Manatee Ave. W.
The Corbetts were one of six families who bought holiday gifts for loved ones through a American Red Cross grant to send packages overseas.
The Red Cross donated $50, Beall’s added $10 and a store employee chipped in an extra dollar allowing 12 children each to spend $61 in gifts for relatives serving in uniform overseas.
Beall’s provided giftwrapping services and the Red Cross will pay for shipping to send the gifts overseas.
“This is a way for us to be involved in a positive way without sending bad news. Part of what we do is support families of soldiers,” said Tracy Vanderneck, financial development director for the American Red Cross Manatee County chapter.
Vanderneck said the Red Cross provides emergency communications to soldiers for events including illnesses or deaths back home.
The Corbetts continued to peruse merchandise before settling on a Seminoles blanket, tumbler and several food items.
Kim Corbett said her son left May 31. He is on leave but will return to Afghanistan soon and not return home until June.
She sends Spc. Corbett care packages about once a week, but events like this one are still special, she said.
“It means people care and are supporting our troops,” she said before preparing to wrap the gift items.
Spc. Ben Corbett, 20, who is home on leave, stood with his father on the other side of the store while his mom and brother shopped.
Corbett, who is given Meals Ready-to-Eat, said care packages make his day.
“That’s my breakfast, lunch and dinner,” he said.
When overseas, Corbett sleeps in a storage unit with beds stacked four high with very little space, according to his mother.
“It’s good to come home and see events like this,” he said. “Sometimes it seems like people don’t care.”
