UPDATE 3/13/2014:

Brian and his shipmates received the 18 boxes from Country Classics while in Manila, Philippines via helicopter during an out at sea replenishment. That means via a wire, sending pallets to the ship in a small room for mail receipt. The sailors were so thankful - especially for sunscreen due to the intense sun where they are right now! Brian Mello is center in the picture with thumbs up!

2/18/2014
This past month we rallied together to support one of our own employees and her family. Jacqueline “Jackie” Mello has been working for Country Classics since 1989. On December 16, 2013, her son, Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Apprentice Brian Mello, set sail on the USS Cowpens CG63, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser in service with the United States Navy. It is manned by a highly trained and professional crew of approximately 325 sailors. Jackie had sent her son a package, and friends had asked if they could send Brian anything as well. Since people were asking, Jackie decided to reach out to her Country Classics family in January to see if anyone would be interested in sending care packages, also keeping in mind those who might not be fortunate enough to receive any. “Brian has a group of approximately 80 sailors in his quarters, and they all share things and have each other’s back at all times. He was thrilled to get his hands on some Q tips!” states Jackie. Of course, everyone was more than happy to help; and when the Country Classics family gives back, we go for it full speed ahead! Jackie complied a list of most-needed items such as: cotton balls to shine shoes, black socks, snacks, and personal care items. Our Design Studio Director, Laura Fluharty, quickly took the reins of the project and sent out a list to company members to sign up for items, so a variety of items were sent and not just boxes of the same things. “We expected a bag or two of peanuts, a shampoo bottle, a maybe a few pairs of socks. But no, the staff shopped at Sam’s Club and Costco and dropped off cases of peanuts, a bundle of shampoo, packages of socks, etc.,” says Laura. We ended up shipping 18 boxes to the Sailor to share with his mates, which should arrive at the end of February! “My husband and I are so grateful for the kindness and generous support of my Country Classics co-workers! The sailors will be so surprised when they open up all the care packages that include everything from candy, snacks, magazines, socks, t-shirts, sunscreen, toiletries, and more! An amazing effort by an amazing group of people!” exclaims Jackie.

Robert and Jacqueline Mello with the donations for their son and his shipmates.

The 7th Fleet's area of responsibility includes more than 52 million square miles of the Pacific and Indian oceans -- stretching from the International Date Line to the east coast of Africa, and from the Kuril Islands in the north to the Antarctic in the south. The region is more than 14 times the size of the entire continental United States. The USS Cowpens’ homeport is located in San Diego, CA.