Arlington Heights family collecting items for troops

The family of a fallen Arlington Heights Marine is organizing a supplies collection drive this spring and looking for donations.

Dawn Hedrick, mother-in-law to James Stack who was killed in Afghanistan in November 2010, is organizing a collection drive for the military after a similar effort was successful last year, she said. Last year’s collection brought in enough goods to send 220 boxes to Marines overseas. This year, Hedrick said, the donations will go to troops in all branches of the military.

The family will be collecting items until April 13 and is looking for nonperishable snacks like sunflower seeds or trail mix, toiletries, pens, stationary, envelopes, batteries, magazines, playing cards and more. People also can write letters, which will be included with the packages.

Items can be dropped off at any of the following locations: American Legion, 121 N. Douglas Avenue, Arlington Heights; AM Vets Post 66, 700 McHenry Road, Wheeling; Beverly Lanes, 8 S. Beverly Lane, Arlington Heights; Bill Stasek Chevrolet, 700 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling; Cosmetology Spa and Institute, 142 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg; Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Hts Rd., Arlington Heights; and Mariano’s Fresh Market, 802 E. Northwest Hwy, Arlington Heights. Donations also will be taken at any of the Village Bank & Trust locations in Arlington Heights: 234 W. Northwest Highway, 311 S. Arlington Heights Road, 150 E. Rand Road, as well as their locations at 320 E. Northwest Highway, Mount Prospect; 950 W. Touhy Avenue, Park Ridge; and 1845 E. Rand Road Prospect Heights.

Hedrick, Stack’s family and any volunteers who want to join, will be packing boxes at 1 p.m. April 21 at American Legion post 208 in Arlington Heights.

More information is available on Facebook.