Dec. 7, 2011

HOUSTON, Texas - The Houston Baptist University athletic department helped send care packages to members of the United States Armed Forces for the third-straight year through Operation Interdependence.

Although the HBU baseball team has spearheaded the effort the past two years, members of the men's basketball, softball and volleyball teams joined in the effort this year. The Huskies packed 101 boxes full of snacks, supplies and personal notes in a little over two hours, and those packages will reach 5,050 soldiers serving abroad.

"Being away from their families and loved ones is always tough, especially during this time of year - the Christmas season - so we just hope we can bring a smile to their faces," HBU head baseball coach Jared Moon said. "We just want to show our appreciation for all they sacrifice for our freedom, and it's the very least we can do to let them know they are not forgotten."

Moon reminds the baseball team that many of the soldiers are the same ages as the student-athletes, and said his message hit home with the team when a commander presented him with a United States flag that flew over Bagram Air Base when a soldier passed away. The framed flag hangs on the wall in Moon's office.

"We are not just trying to win baseball games here," Moon said. "We are trying to affect lives, whether it be the soldiers or our team. Not only do we want our guys to be good students and players, we also want them to be leaders in the community."

Operation Interdependence is a nationwide non-profit organization that provides a means for community members to support troops serving on the frontlines, military families and veterans. The organization's long-term goal is to ensure that every soldier, sailor, airman and marine is served by Operation Interdependence from the time they don the uniform to the day they are honorably laid to rest.

For more information on Operation Interdependence, please visit oidelivers.org.