A great way to support the troops and honor Dunham’s legacy
By JOHN ANDERSON
It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas and sending care packages to active military members who won’t be home for the holiday’s.
Scio’s Deb Dunham had a plan to send 300 care packages put together in Allegany County to the active Marines and U.S. Navy sailors aboard the USS Jason Dunham.
What makes this initiative special, is, the packages will go from Allegany County to the guided-missile destroyer named after her son, U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Jason L. Dunham, who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his service during the Iraq War.
However, the cost is $35 per package to ship. Students at Wellsville, Genesee Valley and Scio are making cards and collecting the items that need to be shipped.
As a result, Shannon Harding is gathering donations to pay for the shipping costs. Businesses, service clubs, organizations and churches are making donations and individuals are sponsoring an active military member as well.
A $35 donation will sponsor one Marine or sailor. The venmo is @ALAunit808 or checks can be sent to American Legion Auxiliary Unit 808 and mailed to the Herbert DeLong Post 808, 29 Schuyler, Belmont, N.Y., 14813.
“The goal is to get the packages there by Christmas, so we want to get the shipping money together by October 31,” Harding said. “Each package will have a note letting them know who sent the package and a list of the donors.”The Marines and Navy members on the ship have had some tense moments the last year. In August of 2025, the USS Jason Dunham sailed for Venezuela and the Caribbean Sea as the destroyer was ordered to combat drug smuggling traffic.
During the holiday season last year, two Venezuelan F-16 fighters conducted a flyover of the USS Jason Dunham. That prompted President Donald Trump to give them permission to shoot down Venezuelan planes.
“We are hoping other school and organizations will jump on to donate toward the shipping costs. This is really about impressing upon showing the service members how much we care in Allegany County serving on a ship named after our most recognized hometown hero,” Harding said. “We want them to have a hometown feel despite serving on a large ship and on a mission or assignment at sea.”
Harding has collected enough to ship 75 packages. There will be a packing party at the American Legion in Belmont when all donations come through.
