This year marks the 20th anniversary of the creation of F.A.I.T.H. (Families and Individuals Thanking Heroes) Military Support Group, formed by Bea and Dan Ellis when their son, along with sons and daughters of other community members, entered the military. Little did they know 20 years ago just how exponentially their efforts would grow.
The group is dedicated to encouraging and supporting military personnel and their families. Volunteers with the group get together the second Thursday of each month to pack and ship care packages to troops serving around the world – all servicemen and women with ties to the community.
To date, F.A.I.T.H. has shipped more than 28,500 care packages to members of every branch of the U.S. military. Over these two decades, the group has missed only three months of packing and shipping due to Hurricane Ike in September 2008, the COVID-19 shutdown in April 2020 and severe weather in January 2025. Their commitment has never wavered.
F.A.I.T.H. typically sends 125-130 packages each month from January through November. However, they double up in December and send at least two care packages to each recipient, and are presently preparing to send 350 Christmas boxes in total.
Finding the perfect gift for a loved one can be tough, but a simple way to spread holiday cheer that truly makes a difference is to sponsor a Christmas box for the men and women serving around the world.
Each Christmas box is packed with care and includes: toiletries, books, granola bars, tuna, Hormel complete meals, peanut butter, chili, candy, snacks, fun toy items, a stocking filled with Christmas goodies, holiday snacks and Christmas cards signed by community members. A personalized card from you will also be included in the package.
The boxes are packed in the parking lot of Livingston Physical Therapy located at 305 W. Mill St. in Livingston. This year’s packing day is Dec. 5 and the boxes will be mailed that afternoon.
You may help in two ways – by sponsoring a box or making a donation. You may sponsor a box for $50. The postage is $31.24 per box and the remainder goes toward the contents. If you choose to make a donation, any amount is welcome and will go directly toward supporting the care packages. Donations may be mailed or delivered to Livingston Physical Therapy at 305 W. Mill St. in Livingston.
F.A.I.T.H. sends lots of extras to the servicemen and women at Christmas to help show that they are loved, remembered and appreciated during the Christmas season when they are far away from their families.
Throughout the rest of the year, the packages typically include handwritten letters, toiletries, socks, high-protein foods, snacks, drink mixes and morale boosters like puzzle books and other small comforts that mean so much.
While the creation, participation and longevity of F.A.I.T.H. has been extremely rewarding for those who have been involved with it, it has not come without challenges, especially with rising shipping costs. Since September 2025, large flat-rate overseas postage has increased from $25.85 to $31.34, and medium flat-rate domestic postage has risen from $17.50 to $20.28.
The postage alone averages more than $3,700 monthly and approximately $8,000 per month is spent on supplies to fill the boxes. With the costs steadily increasing just like everything else, they are budgeting $11,000 for postage and $15,000 for supplies this December.
All donations to F.A.I.T.H. are tax-deductible. For questions or additional information, call 936-327-4084 or email faithmilitarysg@gmail.com.
