American military troops serving the country are receiving packages of hope from members of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Maple Valley.

The group, which calls itself “Christian Friends of Troops,” has been putting packages together and sending them to the troops since May 2003 when Louise Brown began the effort.

Saturday morning, Valentine’s Day, a large gathering of folks met at the church and put boxes together with food, postcards and prayers.

“I didn’t start this mission,” Brown said. “God did.”

God did, with plenty of help from Brown, current co-directors Barbara Jensen and Carol Shakerley, parishioners from the church and community members willing to donate and help.

When the mission of sending packages began, Brown’s son and his wife were stationed in Germany. Brown contacted her daughter-in-law with the idea. She found five military police soldiers for Brown to send boxes.

Brown said she told a friend at the church about the idea, and from there the idea grew into a community effort.

“The soldiers are so appreciative,” Jensen said.

A card from Pfc Cory Kelley is pinned to a bulletin board in the church. It reads, “Thank you for your support. Without you, our jobs would mean nothing. God Bless.”

The group raises funds and puts out donation boxes at area stores to help fill the boxes.

Shakerley said it costs about $13 to send each box.

A donation box will be set up Feb. 28 outside Wal-Mart in Covington.

“People appreciate the opportunity to help the troops,” Shakerely said.