Reading Co-operative Bank employees recently built care packages that have been sent to the local soldiers of the 379th Engineer Company currently deployed to Iraq.

Each box was comprised of more than 35 care and comfort items such as deodorant, gum, iTunes gift cards, magazines, soap, tissues, socks, pain relievers, wet wipes, popcorn, Visine eye drops, puzzle books, dental care items, toys, earplugs and other items, according to a statement.

"Many troops are deployed from Camp Curtis Guild, our neighbor here in Reading," said bank president and CEO Julieann Thurlow. "Reading Co-operative Bank and its employees felt this was a great way of saying thank you to these brave men and women."