CarePacks Drive for U.S. Troops

Care package collection drive for U.S. troops May 15

The Republican committees of Quincy and Milton will once again join forces with Weymouth’s CarePacks to collect items needed for care packages to be sent to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The committees will hold their second annual care package collection day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday May 15 at the Heritage Hall American Legion Post, 114 Granite Ave. in Milton (across from President’s Golf Course). Residents are encouraged to stop by and drop off items for the troops, such as insect repellent (spray/solid), baby wipes, toothpaste, shampoo, razors and shaving cream as well as prepaid phone cards, sunglasses, deodorant, cereal bars, cookies, candy and gum.  [See complete list at end of release.]
 
“Last year’s collection was very successful, collecting enough items to fill 1,000 care packages for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Bob Hiss, chairman of the Milton Republican Town Committee. “As we approach Memorial Day, we wanted to show our troops once again that they are not forgotten and that we appreciate their sacrifice on our behalf.”
 
This year the Milton High School Republican Club will also join the effort, with the students collecting items for the troops at the high school to bring to the May 15 collection drive.   
In addition to toiletries, non-perishable food and other items, monetary donations as well as cards and letters thanking a U.S. serviceman or woman may also be dropped off at the collection site.
“Memorial Day is the perfect time for Americans to thank the men and women who devote their lives to protecting our freedoms,” said Jennifer Logue, chairman of the Quincy Republican City Committee. “We hope everyone will show their support by stopping by Heritage Hall on May 15 and dropping off some items for our soldiers.”
 
Monetary donations may be made payable to CarePacks, Inc. and either dropped off May 15 or mailed to CarePacks, Inc., PO Box 536, South Weymouth, MA 02190.  Following the May 15 collection day, donated items will be delivered to CarePacks for packaging and delivery to the troops.
CarePacks is a non-profit organization—staffed and managed entirely by volunteers—that is dedicated to sending care packages to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Founded in 2004, CarePacks’ goal is to provide soldiers with supplies to help improve their morale, mental health, and quality of life, and to remind soldiers that they are remembered by people “back home.”
 
For a complete list of suggested items or more information on CarePacks, visit www.carepacks.org. For more information on the June 27 collection day, visit www.quincymassgop.com or call 617-429-3080.

Suggested donation items for U.S. Troops:

T-shirts                    Letters from kids
Bandanas                    Magazines/soft cover books
Socks                        Candy (hard/soft)
Prepaid phone cards            Gum
Disposable cameras                Playing cards
Movies/DVDs/CDs                Cereal bars/pop tarts
Travel Games                Suntan lotion
Bug repellent (spray/solid)            Cookies/crackers
Baby Wipes/wet naps            Sunglasses
Shampoo                    Toothpaste/brushes
Razors/disposable                Deodorant
Shaving cream/gel                Coffee/coffee filters
Granola bars                    Powdered drink mixes
Frisbees                    Tennis balls
Pens/envelopes/paper            Golf clubs
Tea bags                    Small bags of chips/Doritos/Fritos
Ziplock sandwich/quart size bags        Lip balm/hand & body lotion
Instant soups/noodles            Boxer shorts/sports bras
Feminine products                Mouthwash (travel size)
AA batteries                    Sugar/sugar substitute packets
Blank greeting cards            Puzzle books/Electronic games