Many ask: What I can do for our military?
In these times of unrest, war, and anxiety, many people are asking what they can do. The first thing that comes to most people?s minds is to pray, and many area churches have begun a prayer list especially for those serving in the military.
?The American Red Cross has a program, ?Quality of Life ? Support Our Troops.? Items are being collected locally at VFW Post 607 until April 10 and will be shipped April 11 at a steady pace to assure distribution.
FOOD: Individually wrapped hard candies such as Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Roll Pops, Bubble Gum, Skittles, Lollipops, Lifesavers, Candy Sticks, Sweet Tarts, Mary Janes, Bit-O-Honey, etc. Microwave popcorn, pretzels, peanuts, and other individually wrapped snack foods. No homemade food items allowed.
BEVERAGES: Sweetened Kool-aid, Gatorade, or other sweetened drink mixes, coffee (only acceptable at some APO addresses), sugar, creamer, tea bags, hot chocolate, hot cider.
TOILETRY ITEMS: razors, shaving soap (not aerosol cream) toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel, soap, stick deodorant, bacterial soap (not hand sanitizers, as these are unstable for shipping to warm climates), hand lotions, wet wipes, (no aerosol products or baby powder or talc can be accepted or shipped).
MISCELLANEOUS: Sunscreen, wrap-around sunglasses, batteries (assorted AAA, AA, B, C, D; no lithium or wet cell). Blank greeting cards, (birthday, anniversary, Mother?s Day, Father?s Day, etc.), videos, DVDs, music CDs, cassettes, small board games, (chess, checkers, etc.), new paperback books, (action, science fiction, etc.), puzzle books, and comic books.
The Red Cross also is seeking donations for postage to cover shipping. Average cost per box is $13. Monetary donations should be noted ?Quality of Life.?
CARDS: Only children can sign or make cards to ?Any Service Member.? Children can sign only their first name, no town/city may be listed. The cards should be unsealed in an envelope, or omit the envelope, as cards will be inspected. The Red Cross will ship the cards.
CALLING CARDS: Calling cards may be purchased through the military connect program in increments of $15, $25, or $50. Cards can be purchased using a credit card by calling 1-888-682-7020 or using the www.militaryconnect.org website. The Red Cross may be used to contact military members in time of family emergency, to provide information on emergency leave, provide a link for emergency financial assistance between military personnel and aid societies, and is accessible for emergency military communications by calling 1-800-691-6059.
All items may be dropped off in Rogers City at the VFW Post 607, 1316 West Third Street, or in Alpena at Arby?s, 2250 US-23 South. Contributions to the American Red Cross are always welcome, as it is not funded by tax dollars and is non-profit. Call the local Red Cross at (989) 356-0677.
?Cadillac Products in Rogers City is collecting items to be sent directly to troops in the Middle East. Donna Hopp is heading up this project and recommends several websites for people to explore. www.operationsshoebox.com and www.operationmilitarypride.org are the two sites Hopp said are worth looking into. In the meantime, Cadillac Products is also putting up a bulletin board with military photos and information to spread pride in the military.
?Janet Lamb, register of deeds, has organized an effort at the Presque Isle Count Courthouse to show support for the military by asking for donations for twenty yellow ribbons for the 20 trees on the courthouse lawn.
?We received support from the various offices here in the courthouse, and the county commissioners gave the nod for the project,? Lamb said. ?The ribbons will be going
The courthouse ribbons will be made of plastic so they will be weather durable. ?Some community members have expressed a desire to put up yellow ribbons. Suggested places to check for the ribbons are area flower shops, notions and sewing supply stores, as well as local discount stores.
The plastic ribbon is more difficult to obtain, but will retain its shape during wet weather. Regular satin ribbons can be used in protected areas such as a porch or on a front door.
?Check with your local school and church to see if any programs have been started to support the military troops.
?If you know of a military loved one with local ties, please mail or bring in their photo to the Advance office, 104 South Third Street, P.O. Box 50, Rogers City, MI 49779 with information regarding their rank, branch of service, how long they?ve been in the service, parents and siblings? names, and where they are stationed. The Advance will publish these in order of receipt as space permits each week until all have been printed. Let?s honor our military during this difficult time of war.