Ocean Pines Get Involved and Steel Blu Vodka are teaming up next month to give back to American troops for the second installment of a Salute to Service event in Ocean Pines.
The Ocean Pines Yacht Club is pictured.
File photo
By Tara Fischer, Staff Writer
Ocean Pines Get Involved and Steel Blu Vodka are teaming up next month to give back to American troops.
Steel Blu, a gluten-free vodka brand based in Bear, Delaware, in collaboration with Ocean Pines, is hosting the second annual “Salute to Service” care package project at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club on Sunday, Oct. 13 from noon to 2 p.m. Volunteers will meet to assemble goodie bags to ship to active United States service members.
Steel Blu Brand Development Manager Chelsey Chnelik said event organizers will provide the package supplies, such as sanitizers, hand warmers, Slim Jims, women’s hygiene products and socks. Water bowls and tennis balls will also be shipped out for the military dogs. Attendees may chat and enjoy music as they fill the bags.
Participants are permitted to pack any products they believe will add value. Veterans, particularly, are encouraged to include personal items in their bags to offer comradery to the recipients.
“There is a strong sense of community in Ocean Pines, and a lot of men and women have served, so it’s their way to give back,” Chnelik said.
Ocean Pines and Worcester County residents may volunteer. Registration is not required, but interested individuals can contact Esther Diller via the Ocean Pines Get Involved Facebook page or Chnelik at chelsey@mattorttcompanies.com with any questions.
Chnelik noted that the company’s logo inspired the charitable initiative.
“Steel Blu reached out to me a few years back, and they were looking to rebrand their company in an over-saturated market and get the community involved,” she said. “I noticed their original logo, with an American flag, and asked if they do anything for the troops. They were all on board with it, adding more value to the liquid in the bottle. It’s one thing to write a check; it’s another to get full community backing, have pop-up events, and create handmade packages.”
The project was kickstarted last year. Diller said approximately 200 volunteers showed up for the inaugural event, and 1,000 bags were completed in one hour. Organizers expect to welcome even more attendees on Oct. 13.
“I am getting a ton of people saying they will be there,” Diller said. “The community is definitely excited about doing it again.”
Once the packages are assembled, they are sent to groups like Soldiers’ Angels in San Antonio, Texas, the Wounded Warriors Project in Florida, and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, who then ship them to the soldiers.
Matt Ortt Companies, who is providing the venue, Ocean Pines Get Involved, and Big Wave Marketing are sponsoring the event. The first 150 volunteers to arrive at the yacht club will receive a t-shirt created by Monica from Fully Promoted Apparel.
“The event fosters compassion,” Chnelik said. “It encourages the community to think about others. Everyone helping out is engaged and telling stories. It boosts morale for anyone receiving the packages and hopefully can provide comfort and appreciation.”