GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Some of North Carolina's deployed troops are getting a holiday surprise.

NC Cares packed 600 Christmas boxes filled with messages and other treats for troops overseas.

Some messages are handwritten from Gov. Cooper, children and veterans from across the state.

Richard Petty helped prepare the boxes. His foundation has been a part of this project for the past eight years.

Operation North State will be sending a total of 1,500 boxes to soldiers from Fort Bragg, Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point and other bases this holiday season.