BROOMFIELD, Colo. — A Broomfield 8th grader is honoring U.S. troops overseas by shipping them a little piece of home. For two years, he’s been sending boxes filled with everything from toiletries to snacks to sailors stationed overseas.
Inside his home, 13-year-old Aiden Carrillo is hard at work.
“It makes me happy and gives me the feeling I’m helping,” he said.
Over the past two years Aiden has sent 164 boxes to grateful sailors serving abroad.
“Since they’re far away from their families, it gives them that touch of home,” he said. “It makes me feel like they’re not gone. It makes me feel like they’re here with their families.”
Aiden’s brother Vincent is serving with the U.S. Navy in Spain. That inspired Aiden’s first shipment to sailors on his brother’s ship, the U.S.S. Donald Cook. Aiden contacted several businesses and raised $2,000 to pay for shipping and supplies. He and his friends sent 61 packages to the surprised sailors.
Michelle Carrillo is a proud Navy mom. She became emotional describing her youngest son.
“It makes my heart swell with pride because he’s actually doing something to help people that don’t get the recognition they need," she said.
Aiden is a member of the youth leadership group DeMolay. He has received several public service awards and numerous emails from sailors around the world.
Aiden's father, Vinicio Carrillo, says he’s amazed at his son’s passion.
“We’ll go places and he’ll say, 'We can ask these guys for donations.' He’s always looking for a way to do more.”
And as the U.S. Navy flag waves proudly outside the Carrillo home, this special teenager is preparing for another delivery. He has a message for the men and women defending our freedom far from home:
“Thank you for your service and you’re not forgotten.”
Aiden is looking for donations to help fund his next shipment. You can donate via PayPal at www.coloradodemolay.org/broomfield-chapter. You can also send an email to BroomfieldDeMolay@gmail.com or call 720-432-4661.
