Editor’s note: Last week, the Sequim Gazette shared Jill Carel’s tale of how a gifting party among members of the JuanaMarimba band mushroomed into more than a dozen holiday packages for troops stationed in Afghanistan.

Today we share the reaction of one recipient, Joe Mazzoncini, to the arrival of the gifts.

Jill,

My goodness. Yesterday we got 12 packages from you and your friends! Thank you. How amazing! We are overwhelmed with love. All the soldiers working here with me feel very appreciated and we are enjoying some brownies and the Christmas decorations right now.

Please forward our thanks to everyone involved and let them know how much they are appreciated.

As we opened a few of the boxes (I think three), I realized the cards are for soldiers in general and similar things were in each. We still have nine left unopened. If it’s OK with all of you, I would like to forward these to a small base out in the mountains where the soldiers have many fewer comforts and will appreciate the encouragement even more.

Again, thank you so much. We’ll get a couple pictures here in our office with the tree and decorations. I probably won’t be able to get pics from the guys way out there, but know they appreciate the support.

Your love will carry us through the holidays.

Joe