Freshman Jillian Battles

A local High school student along with multiple volunteers put together care packages for troops and veterans at an event Sunday at the Shortstop Bar & Grill on Springfield Road.

We’re told Jillian Battles, a freshman at Westfield High School, partnered with Project New Hope in Westfield to help send out supplies to U.S. troops and veterans as part of a holiday season effort.

She helped collect thousands of items from multiple businesses and the community as part of this effort. The care packages included decks of playing cards from MGM, reusable bags and hand sanitizer from Big Y, bags of chips from Utz, gummy bears from Albanese Candy and puzzles, puzzle books, Ramen noodle soup, as well as tissue packets donated by ‘friends and family’ of Jillian.

There was also a special ‘thank you’ message from Jillian included in each and every package. Great job Jillian!