ELBURN – There’s still time to donate to the Elburn Legion for care packages that will be sent to troops overseas. Items will be accepted until Jan. 31 for a February send-off.
Organizer John Nevenhoven and his wife Melissa said that most soldiers, sailors and others serving in the armed forces typically receive care packages from their families during the holiday season.
Nevenhoven said the Legion’s idea is to send the care packages in February, when the holiday giving has slowed down and the community can show them they are not forgotten.
A list of suggested items is posted on the Elburn American Legion Post 630 Facebook page, and includes things such as personal hygiene items, disposable razors, feminine products including napkins and tampons, magazines, batteries, Beef Jerky (Ream’s Market will vacuum seal it), hard candy, cookies, coffee and powdered drink mixes.
Clean socks and underwear and tampons are highly requested items, and personal care and hygiene items and quick snacks are also much appreciated, Nevenhoven said.
He said that the Legion will also welcome cash donations to pay for postage and additional items needed for the care packages. Checks should be made payable to the Elburn American Legion Post 630 Charities. The items will be mailed in flat rate boxes, without regard to weight, so whatever the volunteers can fit into the boxes will be welcome.
Elburn resident and community organizer Pam Hall will help the Legion volunteers coordinate the collection and will schedule a packing party to get the boxes packed and ready for delivery. The items will be sorted by who needs what items in different locations and climates, and will be sent to active duty service men and women stationed in a variety of locations.
Hall recruited the help of a Facebook friend with a son in the military who is doing the same type of collection for her community. She has a confidential list of military personnel who will receive the packages. In addition, anyone with a family member in the military who they think would welcome a package is encouraged to contact the Elburn American Legion to give them their name and address.
The Legion is located at 112 N Main St, Elburn.
Source: The Daily Chronicle
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