Some 172 care packages have been mailed to U.S. Army reservists from Greene and surrounding counties who are serving in Iraq.

Sandra Wells, a Greene County resident who organized the effort to collect items for shipment, said the care packages weighed a total of 1,653 pounds.

"And that didn't count six 'platoon boxes' that probably weighed about 150 pounds each," Wells said, so the total weight was more than 2,500 pounds.

The total cost was $2,076 to ship 172 care packages and six large boxes of supplies to the soldiers in Iraq, according to Wells.

Greeneville residents Randy and Carolyn Brown Capps donated the money to cover the shipping costs, according to Wells.

Carolyn Brown Capps met Wells at the Greeneville Post Office to ship the packages on Monday.

Wells said she still has nine care packages for woman and 49 for men that need to be shipped.

However, she said she needs names and addresses for more soldiers.

"If you have a friend or family member you would like to have one of the Help Honor Our Soldiers care packages sent to please contact me at (828) 429-5034

(423) 638-6222," Wells said.

She said she would like to ship the remaining packages by the end of the month.

Wells said she would also like to give a special thanks to Jewlers Market for donating a pearl necklace to be raffled off.

The winner was Kathy Metcalf.

Wells said over the last few months the project raised more than $4,000, which was used for supplies and phone cards.

The Help Honor Our Soldier Foundation will continue to support deployed troops and their families. But the organization has "a big need" for volunteers, Wells said.

Wells, the wife of U.S. Army Reservist Kenny Wells who is currently serving in Iraq, said the care packages were packed by volunteers last Saturday at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Gray.

She thanked everyone who donated items, and Randy and Carolyn Brown Capps, who agreed to pay the cost of shipping the packages to Iraq.

Wells said a letter thanking deployed soldiers for their service was included in each care package. The letter included a list of individuals and organizations who donated items or otherwise helped with the care-package effort.

"We would like to thank you for your service and let you know we are standing behind you 100 percent and are here to support you in every way," the letter said.

"We started the 'Help Honor Our Soldiers' project to show you the love of Christ and to let you know that individual Americans are still praying for you every day.

"The supplies in the boxes were given by American citizens who truly care about you. Please remember you are never alone. God is always with you to strengthen you and protect you. With God all things are possible."

Wells said she also wants to tell everyone, "thank you for their support and prayers."

She said the successful effort to assemble care packages from donated items shows that "together we can make a difference, because "with God all things are possible."

Anyone who is interested in being involved with efforts to support deployed troops is asked to call Wells at (828)429-5034 or (423)638-6222.