This wonderful organization supports deployed military from all over by regularly sending care packages filled with needed items, goodies, personal notes, and love from home. The annual “Treats for Troops” drive helps provide the items the chapter will use to fill and ship holiday stockings for “Operation Santa” this year and to replenish depleted stocked items regularly sent in care packages. Our Make a Difference readers can be a big part of that mission by coming into the troop center to drop off care package items and/or money to offset the cost of shipping.
“Our goal is to make sure deployed service members, from every branch of service, know their sacrifices are appreciated and we care about them. We especially want to reach those service members who do not receive much support so that they also get some love from home,” says Kim Schinder, chapter president.
“We are currently supporting over 1,500 deployed service members in many overseas venues, some of them in very bad places. That package from home, even though it is filled with simple items, can make all the difference in morale. The thank you letters we receive are so heartwarming and many times bring us to tears.”
Note that everything that’s sent, including the money to pay for shipping, is donated. “We are grateful to live in a very patriotic and community-minded area,” Schinder says.
Here’s what they need:
- Protein bars (Power Bar, Quest , Detour are best)
- Beef jerky (3.25-ounce size)
- Slim Jims (short ones)
- Trail mix (small packs)
- Tic Tacs/Life Savers/ gum
- Chapsticks and lip balm
- Nuts (small packs)
- Fruit snacks
- Pringle snack packs (no bags)
- Granola bars
- Cookies (small packs)
- Drink mixes (single serving sizes)
- Hand warmers
- Q-Tips
- Hot chocolate (packs only)
If you would like to include a personal note, please make sure it is in an unsealed envelope and does not include last names or private information. All written materials are screened for appropriate content before being tucked into a box.
Checks can be made out to Blue Star Mothers, OH #3 and dropped off or mailed to P.O. Box 292722, Dayton, 45429. For more information and additional items needed, visit www.bluestarmothersdayton.com or the Facebook page.
Each week, staff writer Meredith Moss writes about non-profit organizations in our area and their needs. If your group has a wish list it would like to share with our readers, contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com
Please include a daytime phone number and a photo that reflects your group’s mission.
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