MT. STERLING, Ky. (WKYT)- One-hundred sixty-one boxes sit patiently. They are wrapped up and ready to make the long journey to soldiers in the middle east.

"My hope is that somehow we can get these over there by the middle of next month," explained Operation Dustin Gross volunteer, Janet Reffitt.

The care packages, containing everything from toiletries to food, were supposed to be mailed out on December 10th so they could reach soldiers by Christmas. But the postage sponsor would only pay for the packages to stay in the United States leaving volunteers with Operation Dustin Gross trying to raise more than 22-hundred dollars.

"Now we're back to square one. Fourteen dollars a box, trying to figure out how to get 161 boxes there," Reffitt said.

"This effort hits me close to home," Operation Dustin Gross founder Jennifer Moyer said. "I'm going to fight to get these out with every ounce of my being."

Moyer, says these packages are heading for Private First Class Colin Ray's platoon.

"This boy is from our town. He knows these boxes are in the works. He helped do this before he went over there," Reffitt said.

Reffitt says this group can't get mail from mid-January till mid-March and time is running out.

"Yesterday would have been nice. But as soon as we can," Reffitt said.

Moyer chimed in "This kid is waiting on these packages; waiting on them for survival."

"It's Christmas. Lets' give. I know myself, I have kids and nieces and nephews, and it is Christmas and we want to give to those, but let's not forget those who give to us," Reffitt said.

To help, you can call Jennifer Moyer at 859-585-4274.