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Packages help brighten holidays for troops in Iraq

Staff Report

The Exclusive Athletic Club in Glenwood Springs is sponsoring its “Care Packages for our Troops” program. Owner Lori Nelson is accepting donations of items to be packaged and distributed to troops in Iraq. Sgt. Cory M. Gehring of the Marines second platoon unit 40462 recently submitted a list of acceptable items. Sgt. Gehring will distribute the items among the men and women serving in Iraq.The troops also enjoy receiving letters, especially from children. Many of the officers don’t receive any mail, and any correspondence is greatly appreciated. For those planning to donate items, Sgt. Gehring suggests writing a letter to an officer and mailing it or dropping it off at the Exclusive Athletic Club. Below is the list of items most often requested:• Personal hygiene items: hand cream, shampoo, conditioner, and shave cream (travel size recommended so they won’t explode), lip balm, deodorant, toothpaste, combs, tampons, and plastic tooth brush and soap holders, Gold Bond powder (green, orange or blue, any size), baby wipes, and facial cleansing pads such as Oil of Olay• Cookies• Gatorade packets• Kool-Aid packs (pre-sweetened)• Magazines and newspapers from home• Books, including crossword and puzzle publications• Socks (military black or green with cushioned sole)• Small toys such as Hot Wheel cars or little dolls to give out to Iraqi children• Meat jerky• Trail mix and/or dried fruits and nuts• Hard candy or “gummy” candy (bears, worms, etc.)• Pens and pencils• Disposable cameras• Freezer bags (all sizes)• Gloves• Tea bags and hot cocoa packets (to mix with water)• Cards and letters from pen pals• Wash powder tablets (these are great and easy to store and use but no liquid – it will always break)• AT&T phone cards (these cards most often work in Iraq without difficulty)• Sugar packetsItems that cannot be sent:• Religious items• Anything made with or containing pork• Homemade cookies or other goodies (all food must be in original packages)If those donating elect to not write a letter, they are urged to include their name and hometown so Nelson can include it in the package to Sgt. Gehring. Information: Lori, 945-9107.If those donating elect to not write a letter, they are urged to include their name and hometown so Nelson can include it in the package to Sgt. Gehring. Information: Lori, 945-9107.


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