U.S. Navy Personnel and Mercury Insurance Employees Join Forces at Mercury’s 9th Annual Care Package Party in Camarillo

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2017) – Members of Naval Base Ventura County and employees from Mercury Insurance assembled more than 200 care packages for U.S. armed forces stationed overseas to commemorate 9/11. Mercury’s staff have arranged “packing parties” at seven office locations this year, marking the ninth consecutive year of collecting, packing and shipping care packages to members of the military.  

The employee-driven initiative was co-founded by Camarillo employees Melyssa Jones and Monica Nungaray. Nungaray’s eldest son served with the Marine Corps in Afghanistan and Iraq in support of Operation Freedom. “My son mentioned that some soldiers don’t receive mail or packages when stationed overseas,” said Nungaray. “These packages are our way of letting them know that we do think of them and appreciate their service. It’s a little touch of home to brighten their day.”

Each package contains items requested by active-duty soldiers, including toiletries, snacks, playing cards, games, magazines and comfort food. “Soldiers have been very appreciative in the past when we send these packages with a note from children, and Thurgood Marshall Elementary students in Oxnard wrote extremely heart-warming messages that are being included in the packages,” Jones said.

“It really feels good when you receive one of these care packages,” said Trent Carny, active-duty U.S. Navy, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3. “The food abroad is different and to get a little piece of home can change your outlook and make your day better. I always liked getting candies and crackers in the care packages, and I see a lot on the tables here today. So I’ll be filling up these boxes with everyone here, because I know how it feels to receive one.”

Carney added that the care packages have a lot of meaning to soldiers when they come home, too. “I have one item with me still today: a Bible that was put in a care package for me by a young girl with muscular dystrophy.”

“We really appreciate getting the hygiene products that are included in them,” said David Banaszak, active-duty U.S. Navy, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3. “In other locations I’ve been deployed to, cards and games that come in care packages kept us entertained for months.”

Packaged goods and monies were donated by employees, insurance agents and Mercury Insurance.

“Our bake sale generated extra cash donations for this packing party, and it helped us to exceed our care package goal this year,” Jones said.

Participants in the event included active-duty military personnel and veterans, employees from Mercury’s Camarillo and Valencia offices and agency partners---Smith Insurance Services, Jones & Maulding Insurance, Peakes Insurance, Gaspar Insurance, Andrews & Van Lohn Insurance and Lytle & Main Insurance.

About Mercury Insurance

Mercury Insurance (MCY) is a multiple-line insurance organization predominantly offering personal automobile, homeowners and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. Since 1962, Mercury has specialized in offering quality insurance at affordable prices. For more information visit www.mercuryinsurance.com or Facebook and follow the company on Twitter.

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