Kellie Pickler helps pamper U.S. servicewomen for Valentine’s Day

Kellie Pickler has embarked on six USO tours already in her career, and along the way she’s developed a special affinity for the female U.S. troops serving the country overseas. So for Valentine’s Day yesterday, she dove into a special project specifically aimed at lifting the spirits of those women stationed in Afghanistan and Kuwait.

On her three visits to Afghanistan, Pickler learned first-hand how difficult it can be for these women stationed in the desert, despite monthly Ladies Nights held at USO centers in the Middle East. The events are designed to give female soldiers a chance to bond with each other, pamper themselves and take a short break from military life.

Backed by a team of sponsors including Bed Bath & Beyond, Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn, Dearfoams and US Weekly magazine, Pickler wrapped up some of her favorite items and sent them overseas to our female soldiers for a special Valentine’s Day edition of Ladies Night. The boxes also contained hard to get items including nail polish, makeup, slippers, manicure and pedicure kits, chocolates, moisturizers, soaps, chick flicks, snacks, greeting cards and magazines.

Donated items were shipped to USO Centers at Camps Leatherneck and Marmal, Forward Operating Bases Sharana and Shindand, Airfields Bagram and Kandahar in Afghanistan as well as Camp Buehring in Kuwait.  

While Pickler wasn’t able to attend the events in person, she did pop in for a virtual visit on Skype and delivered a message of thanks and support to the servicewomen at USO Shindand and USO Kandahar in Afghanistan and USO Camp Buehring in Kuwait. For those locations unable to participate in the live chat, Pickler pre-recorded a message of thanks.

“I am grateful to all of our servicemen and women for the sacrifices they make, but I have a special place in my heart for servicewomen,” says Pickler in a prepared statement. “They are some brave, beautiful and dedicated women. That’s why I wanted to do something special just for them this Valentine’s Day. While our servicewomen are spending this time away from their family and loved ones, I wanted them to be able to take a moment and pamper themselves.”

In her six USO tours since 2007, Pickler has visited eight countries and performed for more than 30,000 servicemen and women.