Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m.—BRANDON—As one can imagine, the holidays are a tough time for soldiers who can’t be at home to celebrate with their families. Please help in sending them some Christmas cheer. The Brandon American Legion will hold a packing party on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2-4 p.m. at the Legion on Franklin Street, Brandon, to package items to be send to troops.
Organizers send enough in each package for an entire unit. Last year, they sent out 40-plus packages to men and women in the Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Army in Kuwait; Afghanistan; Fort Belvoir, Va.; Cherry Point, N.C.; Minot, N.D.; Camp Pendleton, Calif.; and Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Organizers gather addresses in two ways: local folks provide addresses for friends/family members who are serving; and they utilize www.anysoldier.com, www.anymarine.com, among others, to locate units/individuals who are in need. Representatives and commanders who are in the know reach out through this organization and list items that units need or to nominate soldiers who don’t receive mail due to lack of family. This group tries to do a nice mix, hitting each of the military branches.What started out as a small group sending cookies has turned into quite the motivated and generous group.
Items in need are: candy and gum; individually packaged snack food (trail mix, granola bars, nuts, snack size cookies, crackers, etc.); cards, letters, kids’ drawings; travel size hygiene products; baby wipes; chapstick; hand/feet warmers; fun holiday items (Santa hats, candy canes, etc.); magazines (new or gently read); batteries; white socks; and monetary contributions toward shipping costs. For more information, contact Allyson at 802-353-1325 or operationchristmasfortroops@gmail.com.
