Supporting the Crew: Shipping Halfway Box Supplies to USS Asheville Families in Guam
Halfway boxes are care packages filled with letters, snacks, and small gifts opened at the deployment midpoint to boost morale during long periods underwater.
The Challenge
The USS Asheville (SSN-758) is deployed to Guam, 14 clock-hours away from the mainland. Standard shipping channels like direct Amazon delivery do not support shipping here, creating major logistical hurdles for bulk care package campaigns.
The Solution
When we learned about the 1/2 Way Box Campaign, the North Carolina Submarine Foundation (NCSF) and our supporters took action:
Funding the Supplies: Capt. Doug Guthe purchased nearly every item on the wishlist to ensure no sailor went without.
Repackaging: Robert and Crystal Black accepted a garage full of packages, opening and re-sorting every item to optimize box sizes and cut transit costs. They did this even though their own son transfers before the boxes arrive, a true act of devotion to the boat.
Covering Shipping: NCSF paid all shipping costs to get the repacked boxes across the Pacific.
Why This Matters
Our mission at NCSF is to support the crews and families of North Carolina-named submarines. Submarine service means long separations underwater with minimal contact home. By solving logistical barriers to deliver halfway boxes, we lower financial burdens for families and remind our sailors that no matter how far away they serve, they are never out of reach.
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