Send deployed servicemembers some love
Valentine’s Day is approaching and the women of Central Valley Blue Star Moms hope that you can send our deployed troops some love.
The nonprofit wants to send as many care packages as they can to overseas Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen, but item donations — and monetary ones, too, — are needed.
“It costs us about $7,000 just to mail all of the boxes for our holiday drive,” said Christine Hofmann, the chapter’s vice president. About 400 care packages were shipped to deployed troops during the holidays.
Boxes will be packed Saturday, Jan. 23; donate items by calling chapter president Rhonda Gilmore at (559) 367-7270 to set up a drop-off or pickup time.
The next care package drive will be held in early summer. Boxes will be shipped in mid-June so that overseas troops receive them in time for Independence Day, Gilmore said.
If you know of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces that would benefit from receiving a care package, email support@cvbluestarmoms.org.
Monetary donations can be sent to Central Valley Blue Star Moms, P.O. Box 1204; Clovis, CA 93613-1204.
Visit www.cvbluestarmoms.org for more information.
Requested donations include:
Tuna or Chicken Creations/Lunch Kits, tuna pouches
Microwavable meals that don’t require refrigeration
Cup noodles or soups
Beef Jerky
Trail mix
Nuts
Small bags of chips or small packs of Pringles
Individual powdered-drink mixes to put in water bottles (Gatorade, Crystal Light, Kool-aid, etc.)
Tea bags, sugar and creamer packs
David’s sunflower seeds
Cracker Jacks
Red/Black licorice
Cookies
Protein bars
Fruit snacks, fruit roll-ups and Gushers
Candy (Tootsie Rolls, Dots, gummy bears, jelly beans, Jolly Ranchers or anything that won’t melt – no chocolate, please!)
Gum (caffeine gum is a huge hit)
Breath mints
Small Nerf balls or footballs
Velcro dart games
Frisbees, yo-yos
Tennis balls, Hacky sacks
Card games (Uno, Skip Bo, etc.)
DVDs and music CDs
Crossword puzzles, word search games, etc.
Black or white cotton socks
Pre-paid phone cards
Note: Scented items or liquids can’t be shipped, since they might contaminate food items.
This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Send deployed servicemembers some love."