Home Family Living Red Cross asks public to send holiday cheer, items for care packages to service members

Red Cross asks public to send holiday cheer, items for care packages to service members

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FINDLAY — Imagine being a U.S. service member stationed abroad. You miss your friends and family every day, but especially during the holidays. A simple note from home can make a profound impact. You can help the American Red Cross send some holiday cheer to the servicemen and women who help defend our freedom. All you need is a pen and piece of paper to show your appreciation!

The American Red Cross Holiday For Heroes program is an annual campaign that lets the community send messages of thanks and holiday cheer to service members, veterans and military families. North Central Ohio Chapter Executive Director Todd James says the program is easy to participate in.

“Whether you make a card or buy a card, it just takes a moment to sign it and share your appreciation for the sacrifices made by members of the military and veteran community.” James says individuals, schools, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate by collecting cards and delivering them to their local Red Cross office.

Individuals are asked to refrain from sending letters, monetary donations or any other inserts with the cards and from using glitter.

As part of the Holiday For Heroes campaign, the Red Cross is collecting specific items to be distributed to armed forces personnel in Kuwait, and Djibouti. “Care packages will be assembled and sent to our service members to show them that we appreciate their sacrifice and to bring them a little comfort from home,” James said.

“These are everyday items that we take for granted,” he said. “But for servicemen and women overseas, they mean a lot and can make their lives a little bit more comfortable. Sending these packages is an easy way to say thanks and happy holidays to those sacrificing so much for our freedom.”

James says the list of items being collected comes straight from the troops. “The Red Cross has Service to the Armed Forces stations on these bases and our personnel who serve the troops provided a list of items that our brave men and women need and want. That’s the list we are using to fill the care packages,” says James.

Items needed include:

  • Full sized and travel sizes toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, body wash)
  • Feminine hygiene items (pads and tampons)
  • Deodorant
  • Body/foot powder
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Tissues
  • Shave gel (no aerosol cans)
  • Dice
  • Books
  • Board games
  • Protein bars/Nutrigrain bar type foods
  • Candy
  • Nuts
  • Gum
  • Beef sticks/jerky
  • Cookies
  • Crackers
  • Poptarts
  • Ramen/macaroni and cheese/Cup o Noodles/Soup in Hand/Handy Meals (heat and serve that come in their own serving bowls)
  • Just Add Water muffin/-cake/cookie/bread mixes

Cards and gift package items can be dropped off by Nov. 18 at Community First Bank locations in Kenton and Forest. Cards can also be mailed to the American Red Cross North Central Ohio Chapter, 125 Fair St., Findlay, OH 45840.

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