Local 3Moms group raises $8,000 for care packages to troops overseas

The 3Moms 1Mission group held its first fundraiser in October to raise money to send care packages to the men and women serving in the armed forces overseas. The packages will be sent to sailors on the USS Eisenhower, an Army unit leaving for Afghanistan, an Air Force squadron serving in Kyrgyzstan and Marines on the USS Palau. Because of the deployment of their sons – Jason Townsend, Tyler Townsend and Jeff Lipsky – sisters Kim Lipsky and Darlene Beardsley, plus their aunt Penny Piper Bell, founded the nonprofit 3Moms 1 Mission to send supplies and care packages to troops overseas. “We wanted to do something, so we started sending Tyler care packages,” Beardsley said. She, Lipsky and Piper Bell decided they didn’t want to help just their own sons, but also other soldiers who are part of their units. “We wanted to make sure they were all getting what they needed,” Beardsley said. “It’s not just for three local soldiers, it’s for an entire unit, squadron or division.” The 3Moms 1Mission event featured raffle items, food, a 50/50 drawing, a door prize and the band Over6 from Massachusetts. The band rocked the house with its rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” “We sold 240 tickets to attend the event. We sold out.