Christmas tip: Help Bailey fill and send his boxes

If you think wrapping holiday gifts is a tiresome chore, think about Herb Bailey the next time you wrestle with a roll of paper, ribbon and adhesive tape.

He’s been wrapping gift boxes for five years and he’s not even close to being finished.

The Maricopa resident – a disabled Vietnam vet – sends little packages of useful items and gifts of candy, nuts, books and other useful gadgets to our men and women serving in the armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. On a limited income from his government checks, Bailey ekes out enough money each month to pay $8.95 in postage for each box he sends.

He’d like to have your help, either by supplying contents for the boxes, or by helping out with contributions for more postage. Bailey’s sends the “Bailey’s Boxes” year-round, and any immediate contributions will help him get more packages in the mail by the Dec. 6 deadline guaranteeing delivery to the troops by Christmas.

Send or drop off your checks to the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce, 44870 W. Hathaway Ave., or call the chamber at (520) 568-2844 for more information.

And rejoice in knowing you’ve helped bring a bit of joy to someone who won’t be home for the holidays.

Note: Read a complete profile on Herb Bailey and his efforts to support the men and women protecting America’s freedoms in the upcoming issue of 85239 The Magazine.

Photo by Joe Giumette