Small Town News

Women of the Valley collecting items for soldier care packages

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The Women of the Valley want you to name that soldier. Oh, and shop for him or her, too.

"We felt there was a need to show our soldiers that they are appreciated and missed," said Women of the Valley member Maureen Barry, speaking of the Chatfield service organization's care package collection in progress now through Nov. 30. The women of the group request the names and addresses of local soldiers serving overseas.

"We want to ensure Chatfield's courageous servicemen and women -- who are risking their lives every day for us -- know they are appreciated."

Because the soldiers have little storage and must carry more than 50 pounds of gear, donors are encouraged to consider the size and portability of any donated item -- smaller items such as camping gadgets and trial and snack size items should best serve the purpose. The best way to determine whether an item is usable is to think "camping" and purchase travel sizes only, no aerosols and nothing that will melt.

Single-load, trial size or tablet laundry soap, liquid, bar or waterless soap, travel size shampoo and conditioner, tubes of lotion, sunblock and aloe vera, hand sanitiz-er, liquid body wash, roll-on or gel deodorant, non-aerosol shaving cream, eye drops, saline nasal spray or drops, individual packages of Kleenex, travel size Febreze pumps, travel packages of Q-tips, two-to-five-pack disposable razors, baby powder and foot powder, Dr. Scholl's Moleskin, Blistex, Carmex and Vaseline in squeeze tubes, toothpaste and toothbrushes, mouthwash, dental floss and picks, men's underwear sizes 30 through 38, white one-size-fits-all tube socks, pump action or towelette insect repellent containing DEET, hand warmers, writing paper, pens and envelopes will all make serving a tour of duty feel more tenable.

Batteries, in sizes AA and AAA, must be identified as to their type, as lithium is not allowed in international mail -- batteries must be specified as alkaline batteries, nickel cadmium batteries (Ni-Cd), or nickel metal hydride (NiMH).

Sunscreen must be marked non-aerosol. If it is a product that is possibly aerosol, it will be refused. Since meals-ready-to-eat (MREs) issued by the government become bland and tasteless after six months, troops welcome individual 2-to 3-oz. plastic containers of Doritos, Pringles, corn and potato snacks, 9-oz. plastic containers of chip dip, trail mix, microwave popcorn, beef jerky, Poppycock butter toffee popcorn in 7-to 8-oz. snack packs, crackers, cookies and power bars in 12-oz. boxes or individual snack packs -- including cheese and crackers and peanut butter and crackers, cereal in individual boxes or plastic cups, and plastic squeeze containers of cheese.

Also, dried or canned 6-to 8-oz. fruit and nuts such as apricots, bananas, cherries, mixed fruit, peaches, pineapple, and raisins, snack packs of pudding, 15-oz. plastic containers of soup such as Campbell's Soup at Hand, lasagna, ravioli, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, chili, beef stew, chicken and dumplings, and noodles and chicken in 7-to 15-oz. plastic containers, 7-oz. easy-open packages of chicken, turkey, salmon or tuna, powdered drinks such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate, apple cider, Crystal Light, Kool Aid, Capri Sun and lemonade in individual servings, and Tabasco sauce, spices, seasoning salt, sugar packets and individual creamers.

Gum, Lifesavers, and hard candy sweeten the lives of both the soldiers and local children. Notebooks, pens, pencils, large boxes of crayons, and stuffed animals can ease the divide between the soldiers -- who with their gear may seem frightening -- and children living in local villages.

To make time pass more quickly for soldiers off duty, puzzle books, reading material, games, writing materia] and phone cards are greatly welcomed.

"The items should not be wrapped -- this will be done by the Women of the Valley," Barry noted.

Items not allowed include "anything that could be considered a weapon, pornographic material and certain foods and drinks -- such as chocolate, pork and alcohol, as chocolate can melt during shipment and pork and alcohol are considered disrespectful in certain countries."

She added, "As we receive e-mails and/or phone calls with the soldiers' names, our Women of the Valley group will fund the items and ship them to the soldiers. If someone wants to support the project by contributing items, members of the Women of the Valley will pick them up.

"There are Chatfield soldiers risking their lives every day for our community and country -- this is one way to show our support. The Women of the Valley is a civic organization of local women who support various activities in the community."

If interested in joining or learning about the organization, or to donate items for soldiers, contact Maureen Barry at (507) 867-0118 or e-mail her at mobar-ry@mchsi.com



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© 2010 The Chatfield News Chatfield, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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