Package drive honors fallen soldier

Photo by Nicole Patterson

The family of fallen Army Ranger SPC Cody Patterson would like to thank the community for their unwavering support in another successful package drive sending goods to soldiers overseas.

July 24-26 marked the fourth package drive since the Oct. 6, 2013 death of Philomath-born Patterson, when he was killed in action in Afghanistan. The Patterson family has since started the Cody Patterson Memorial Fund and sponsored package drives for his fellow soldiers.

“We think this was our best drive yet,” said Nicole Patterson, sister to Cody. “These were really high quality boxes and we were really able to focus on quality versus quantity.”

A few hundred Benton County residents came to support the cause at the Safeway on Philomath Blvd. last month. Each had items they felt could brighten the day of the men and women stationed overseas, bringing them the comforts of home.

Cody’s immediate family—including four sisters, two brothers, mom and grandmom—organized the drive and manned the booth, along with extended family and friends.

In total they put together 79 packages for soldiers in Cody’s battalion and to those in other battalions upon specific request with a provided APO address. Packages included favorites such as beef jerky, energy drinks, trail mix, items for s’mores, magazines, books, and movies.

This time around the family added a twist to the packages enclosing some fun for the soldiers.

“One was a ‘wild card box’ which had all the things for beer pong. They can’t have alcohol so we put Starbucks java shots in for them to play with,” Nicole said.

The family plans on continuing the drives annually.

“As long as we have troops overseas we’ll keep sending them packages,” she said.

Holding the package drives is a way the family has decided to continue honoring Cody’s legacy. He loved getting packages sent to him during the course of his two deployments.

“One of his favorite things was the chocolate Yoo-hoo drink. We sent some of them to the guys in his battalion that specifically asked for them because it was a Cody-favorite,” Nicole said.

Each package costs about $16 to send, and all packages were paid for by cash donations to his memorial fund.

In the past few weeks the family has received thanks from soldiers receiving the gifts. One soldier, Max, who was a close friend to Cody and serves as a Ranger in the same battalion sent his gratitude.

“They are perfect. They guys love them. I can’t express how thankful we are for them and your support.”