'Support Our Troops' collection drive to begin
State Sen. Chris Nybo and state Rep. Peter Breen will partner with the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Lilac Post 5815 for their third annual "Support Our Troops" collection drive beginning Oct. 3.
Items collected in October and November will be delivered to military personnel serving overseas near or before Christmas.
"Supporting our troops is as easy as buying some of the suggested items the next time you're in the store and bringing them to our legislative offices," said Nybo, an Elmhurst Republican. "Your thoughtfulness will mean so much to the men and women who are a long way from home, especially during the holiday season."
The Nybo/Breen shared legislative office at 929 S. Main St., Suite 105A, in Lombard, will serve as the drop-off location for items to be donated to U.S. troops. Donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 30.
"By donating to this drive, we can show our appreciation and respect of those serving this country overseas," said Breen, a Lombard Republican. "It's a small way to make a big difference as these brave men and women spend the holiday season away from their families and loved ones."
As they have done in the past, Nybo and Breen would also like to send care packages specifically to local soldiers from the area. Friends and family with loved ones from the area who are currently serving in the military are encouraged to contact the office with their names and addresses.
Recommended items to be included in the care packages include:
• Books, magazines, crossword and word search puzzles, coloring books, colored pencils, dominoes, checkers or chess games.
• iTunes gift cards, headphones or ear buds, DVD movies or television shows, small video games, international calling cards.
• Baby wipes, deodorant, Kleenex, lotion, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, female hygiene items, shaving cream, razors.
• Beef jerky, powdered drink mix, coffee, granola or protein bars, trail mix, dry snacks, mixed nuts.
• Laundry detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, air fresheners.
• Footballs, basketballs, soccer balls and Frisbees.
Because the items will be mailed, the collection drive will not accept aerosol cans and containers, food items that could melt or spoil, and fragile items.
For more information about the collection drive, or to leave contact information for a specific member of the service, call Nybo's office at (630) 969-0990 or Breen's office at (630) 403-8135.