Homefront Heroes Tries To 'Fill The Mayflower' To Help Military Families In Need

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - Volunteers from Homefront Heroes in Aurora spent this weekend collecting donations to help out local military families by trying to "Fill the Mayflower."

Now in its 10th year, Homefront Heroes is again collecting non-perishable food and monetary donations to help families this holiday season.

"When I've needed help people have helped me, so I wanted to give back," a woman said.

"I just feel like it's an honor for us to be able to do this every ear," Homefront Heroes Director Linda Olson said.

Olson says donations go to the young enlisted and their families attached to Buckley Air Force Base.

"I'm married to a Vietnam Vet and my son is a Marine," Olson said.

She says some years they fill the Mayflower, others far from it. Last year they were able to build 120 Thanksgiving meal boxes complete with gift cards.

"One year we sent 14,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to I don't know how many destinations," Olson said. "It was insane."

Olson says in addition to her family in the military, she volunteers because she knows her time and donations are all going to those who need it -- military families living at or below poverty level.

"It's just such a worthy cause, and because we don't pay anyone we can say 100 percent of the donations go to the people who we say are going to benefit."

The Mayflower donation drive is now over but Homefront Heroes is still accepting monetary donations.