IT MIGHT have been a handmade beanie, or simply a magazine, but returned serviceman Tim Keogh says the care packages he received while in Afghanistan meant a great deal.

The former Warwick State High School student - who is Warwick's first returned soldier from Afghanistan - returned in July from nearly nine months of service in the Middle East.

He said his time over there was made easier through constant contact with family and partner Jacinta Ryan, as well as the regular boxes of items he received as support.

"The care packages were good - it was nice to know of the support back home," he said.

"We got beanies knitted by the ladies of Akooramak which we used heaps. It got pretty cold over there - it snowed."

Mr Keogh said the items of food were also much appreciated, and were often used as an alternative to the monotonous ration packs the soldiers were given daily.

"I didn't like just about anything in the ration packs," he said.

"The ration packs were good when we were hungry, but otherwise they were pretty bad - so the care packages were pretty handy."

This weekend, members of the community will hold a barbecue outside Bunnings from 10am to help raise money to send over more packages like the ones Mr Keogh received.

People are also asked to donate what they can - especially non-vulgar magazines for men; toiletry items, and non-perishable food - at the army depot on Percy St from 10am Saturday.

Alternatively, donations are being received at Westpac Bank on Palmerin St this week.

Mr Keogh has settled back into life in Warwick well, having picked up his work as a cabinet maker with Join Pro.

Partner Jacinta Ryan said Tim's time away was "obviously worrying" but made easier through regular contact.

"We talked just about every day either on the phone or on Skype or Facebook," she said.

"(His time in Afghanistan) actually went pretty fast in the end, probably because we talked all the time. It's better than going slowly."

The pair welcomed their first son, Cooper - who was conceived during Tim's two-week leave in January - nearly four weeks ago. The family plan to settle into Warwick for the time being.

Head to Bunnings from 10am for the fundraiser barbecue. Chicken burgers, sausages - with the meat from Carey Brother's - as well as soft drinks will be for sale until 1pm.