For the past two years, Packaging and Crating Technologies LLC (PACT), a family-owned manufacturing company in Watertown, Connecticut, has raised close to $10,000 for United States servicemen and women. Now the corrugated crate and lithium battery packaging producer is looking to assist locally in its own backyard by hosting the third annual Military Heroes Charity Program to benefit both the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T) and the American Legion Post 22 in Thomaston, Connecticut.
Throughout the month of May — which commemorates both Memorial Day, which will be observed Monday, May 26, and National Military Appreciation Month — PACT has been donating 1% of sales proceeds from its entire line of moving containers and shipping products to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a nonprofit that helps military families secure mortgage-free homes, as well as making a $1,000 contribution to American Legion Post 22, which ensures proper health and other essential benefits for current service members and veterans.
“Memorial Day is always met with eager anticipation of warmer weather and fun summer vacations. However, for thousands of military families, May is a time of sadness and solemnity as they remember their fallen loved ones,” said Rodger Mort, chief operating officer at PACT. “The United States military is a key customer that uses our packaging containers as all branches of service personnel are moved to different posts, and we are always grateful to help such humble heroes in any way possible.”
T2T was founded to recognize the valiant life of New York City firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller, a member of Brooklyn’s Squad 1 who had just finished his shift when he got word over his scanner of a plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center. He drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes. Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 pounds of gear to his back and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life while saving others. He left behind a wife, five children, extended family and friends.
To date, the foundation has provided more than 600 mortgage-free homes for families, including specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. More than 500,000 participants have supported the organization’s 80-plus national walk, run and climb fundraisers.
The American Legion is the largest U.S. veterans’ organization, with more than 1.6 million members who strengthen the nation through programs, services and advocacy for those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, the organization is committed to destigmatizing mental health support by offering peer-to-peer resources in the fight to end veteran suicide. American Legion Post 22 is a leading advocate for health-care and earned benefits for area veterans, service members and their families.
According to the Defense Casualty Analysis System, there were 844 total military deaths in 2022.
PACT is a preferred vendor for the U.S. Department of Defense and has been awarded two special permits from the Department of Transportation for the shipping of lithium-ion batteries, as well as passed the proposed SAE-G-27 test standard. Its various patented shipping containers, which range from $40 to $2,000-plus, are made from corrugated cardboard, a lightweight, sustainable and durable material that can often be reused for hundreds of moves and brought to any recycling center or eco-friendly dumpster for final disposal.
Added Mort: “This is the perfect time of year to show gratitude to our troops and first responders, and we encourage all Connecticut residents to help us reach our goal through a direct donation to these two wonderful charities.”
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call 988.
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