Send a Little Piece of Home to U.S. Troops Overseas

Lifelong Lemont resident Virginia “Ginny” Connelly put out a call to fellow members of Bethany Lutheran Church after learning the local VFW typically experiences a shortage of items this time of year for their monthly troop care packages.

The church is encouraging members of the community to get involved, too, by donating some of the troops’ favorite items – which come in handy when they are far from home. Here’s a list of some of the things you can donate:

• White tube socks
• 5-Hour Energy drinks
• Chapstick
• Sun block
• Specialty ground coffee (such as Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks)
• Beef jerky
• Shaving cream
• Individually packaged snacks and cookies (no chocolate March through October)
• AA or AAA batteries

According to Operation Care Packages, other favorite goodies include protein bars, pre-sweetened powdered drinks, Ziplock bags, hot chocolate and hot cider packets, canned fruit, dried fruit, fruit snacks, canned hearty soup, ravioli, stew, Cup-A-Soup, Ramen noodles, trail mix, instant oatmeal, easy Mac & Cheese, microwave popcorn and more. Visit www.operationcarepackages.org for a more complete list.

Bethany Church will accept items for the VFW’s troop care packages from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 28, at the church office at 500 Lemont St. (Use the handicap entrance on Lincoln Street and be sure to tell the church secretary the items are for the troops.)

Church volunteers hope to take a patriotically decorated “giving basket” brimming with goodies to the Lemont VFW on March 1, just in time for packing and shipping to the troops.

Donations may also be dropped off at the bar entrance of the Lemont VFW Post 5819 at 15780 New Ave.

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