Peoples State wraps up military care package drive

Wisconsin military servicemembers and veterans in need of assistance will benefit from a military care donation drive hosted by Peoples State Bank in Wausau, Wis.

More than 7,500 items and $618 in cash were donated in 2020 at the bank’s s nine retail locations in northern, central, and southeastern Wisconsin. This brings the bank’s combined four-year total to more 30,000 items and more than $3,200 in cash collected. 

“Despite the pandemic, people throughout Wisconsin stepped up to help our soldiers and veterans,” said Scott Cattanach, president and CEO of the $1.1 billion Peoples State. “The donations from customers and employees show how much we appreciate all our veterans have done for us in the past, and all our current soldiers are doing for us now.” 

Collected items included lip balm, toothpaste, nasal spray and sunblock, snacks such as jerky, candy, and trail mix, playing cards, socks, and blankets. 

Donations are given to the Rhinelander Military Support Group, which creates care packages. Some are shipped to active military members from Wisconsin who are stationed overseas, while other packages are sent to Wisconsin veterans and agencies that help them. 

“Every year, we hear from soldiers and veterans who thank us for what we send,” said LeRoy Eades of the Rhinelander Military Support Group. “To receive as many items as we did last year is simply amazing considering COVID-19’s impact on everything we do.”