The latest news and press releases from Troopster Military Care Packs
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In The News

Norfolk nonprofit launches virtual ‘Boredom Basket’ raffle to support deployed troops
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Troopster Military Care Packs announced on Thursday it is launching an exclusive Hampton Roads online raffle to raise money for packages to send to a deployed U.S. Navy ship experiencing coronavirus related hardships.
The virtual raffle is open from now until the drawing on Friday, April 17 and includes prize baskets valued up to $400. The baskets have activities for all ages, Easter egg making supplies, books, pet care items, coffee packs, and cleaning kits.

Local nonprofit sends thousands of care packages to military members overseas
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Imagine being thousands of miles away from home during the holidays; It’s something many of our military members experience.
A Navy veteran started a nonprofit to make sure those men and women know people at home care about them.
Chelsea Mandello started Troopster back in 2015. Her mission: help as many service members as possible

Volunteers pack 1,000 care packages for deployed sailors onboard USS Abraham Lincoln - Nov. 16, 2019
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Norfolk nonprofit Troopster and volunteers gathered in Virginia Beach on Saturday to pack care packages for sailors deployed during Christmas.
The 4th Annual Holiday Pack Event took place at Beachside Social, where volunteers packed more than 1,000 care packages.
The care packages will be sent to sailors deployed onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln for Christmas.

AWS Awards Thousands to Lighthouse Labs Accelerator Startups in NoVa - Nov 14, 2019
On Thursday, Richmond-based Lighthouse Labs partnered with Amazon AWS to host a Virginia Demo Day in Northern Virginia.
Philip Luca from Amazon Web Services’s Venture Capital & Startups team, alongside Todd Nuckols and Dan Myers from Lighthouse Labs and Evan McMillion from 757 Accelerate, spoke on the powerful impact of companies deepening their engagement with Virginia-based startups and entrepreneurs.

University of Miami Students assemble care packages for soldiers during Homecoming week - Nov. 6, 2019
Five days before Veterans Day, students at the University of Miami had the opportunity to give back to the men and women who serve in the South Florida area and overseas. Lined up outside the University Center pool, several tables were filled with everyday items, from baby wipes to rice krispie treats, all waiting to be packed by nearly 200 UM students participating in Homecoming’s Hurricanes Help the Hometown, an annual service day.

Baltimore-based Capsulomics wins first place at Patriot Boot Camp in Utah
We are grateful for all of our entrepreneurs that participated in the pitch competition today! First place was @DanielLunz with Capsulomics, Second place was Chelsea Mandello with @Troopster, and Third place was @jamesrolin2 with @CowboyCrickets! #pbcutah

Navy veteran’s business delivers for service members
For deployed service members, getting a care package means more than just what's inside; it's a little piece of home.
Norfolk-based Troopster moves into shared space with SVT Robotics - July 30, 2019
Troopster has boosted its production of military care packages with some help from SVT Robotics.
The two local companies, which were in the first group of startup businesses selected for the 757 Accelerate program last summer, are now working together.

Women veterans encouraged to hone their business savvy
The sixth annual Virginia Women Veterans Summit drew more than 1,000 people to Hampton Thursday, including a few budding entrepreneurs.

Hampton Roads startups show off work with development program
Final presenter and Troopster CEO Chelsea Mandello decided to open an online platform to deliver custom care packages to military personnel overseas. She decided to transform Troopster into a nonprofit with the help of 757 Accelerate and is now aiming to send out thousands of care packages next year.