Forbush High School DECA Continues Tradition of Service with “Support Our Troops 2.0”

East Bend, NC – Forbush High School DECA has once again demonstrated its commitment to leadership, service, and community impact through its second annual support initiative for U.S. service members stationed overseas. Building on the success of last year’s project, FHS DECA proudly launched Support Our Troops: 2.0, a schoolwide effort dedicated to sending care packages and messages of gratitude to the brave men and women serving our country.

A Look Back: Mission I

Last year, FHS DECA organized its first large-scale community service project, Mission: Support Our Troops. Homerooms across the school collected items, and students wrote heartfelt letters of appreciation to Mr. Tomlin, a National Guard service member who was deployed overseas at the time. Thanks to the generosity of the Falcon community, 19 fully packed boxes were shipped to Mr. Tomlin and his fellow soldiers—each one filled with snacks, comfort items, and reminders of home.

Honoring Service Members on Campus

This year’s project began with a special gesture for Veterans Day. DECA students designed and created patriotic-themed tumblers, which were gifted to (current and veteran) service members working on the Forbush High School campus. This act of appreciation set the tone for another meaningful year of service.

Support Our Troops: 2.0

To expand the impact of the project, FHS DECA invited school groups, clubs, classes, and even the Yadkin County Schools Central Office to become Box Sponsors. Participating groups selected a box size, filled it with thoughtful items, and included handwritten letters of appreciation. Whether groups chose to send their box to a specific service member or donate it for general distribution, each package was prepared with care and gratitude.

Once the boxes were collected, Mr. Tomlin once again played a vital role by helping ensure the packages were shipped to deserving service members stationed overseas. This year, the school community contributed 10 completed boxes, each one representing teamwork, compassion, and Falcon pride. The effort put towards this project and its ultimate success exemplified this year’s slogan: “Making a difference, one box at a time.”