Town Of North High Shoals Carepackages for Troops

Begin forwarded message:

From: Fred Johnson <ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com>

Date: June 7, 2010 9:33:49 PM EDT

To: Fred Johnson <ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com>

Subject: TONHS Carepackages for Troops

Support our local Soldiers – Part II

 

Dear Fellow High Shoalers and Oconee Residents,

 

Back in November, we as a town, set out to send a care package to two soldiers from our town, Brett Thomas and Tim Kraeling, who were both serving in Afghanistan. The Community responded in such an awesome way, we were actually able to ship 14 boxes of "goodies" off in time for the Christmas holidays.  These items were very well received by Tim and Brett and also helped to bless many other soldiers in their respective units.  In fact, Lt. Thomas actually came to a recent council meeting to thank the town on behalf of his unit!  We decided, as we finished the Christmas project that it would be a great idea to do the same type of thing 2-3 times a year other than just Christmas.  So, continuing through about June 15^th, we will be collecting items to send off hopefully to arrive overseas sometime around Independence Day. 

 

Brett and Tim are still on active duty but now back in the states.  Both have said that they would rather we send items to encourage their fellow soldiers serving overseas rather than sending things to them while they are stateside.  So we plan to either send boxes to Spencer Ellis, a resident of Hillsboro Road in North High Shoals, if he is back in Afghanistan and/or to other soldiers currently on active duty.  The Georgia-based unit that Lt. (Brett) Thomas led in Afghanistan has now been replaced by another National Guard unit from Vermont and Brett has given us the contact information for their commanding officer.  Brett reiterated that all soldiers serving in the war zones, regardless of where they are from, appreciate any support and contact from "home."  It means a tremendous amount to them.  We will first seek soldiers from our immediate area of course but if we cannot locate any within the next couple of weeks then we will definitely show some "hometown" support and kindness to the soldiers in Brett's former unit.  If you know of any other local resident(s) now serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, please let the council or Carolyn (our Town Clerk) know so we can direct our efforts towards them as well.

 

We have already begun receiving donations from many different sources including, once again, Harriette Browning's (Oconee County Tax Commissioner) office as well as other individuals who have heard of the effort.    

 

If you feel led to help, we are collecting items up through June 15 or so.  Items and/or cards can be dropped off in a container that will be at the High Shoals Post Office or another at the Town Hall.  If you prefer to donate cash, we can always use a little of that for postage!  If you cannot make it to either location but would still like to help, call the North High Shoals Town Hall (706) 769-4289 and we'll make arrangements to pick up what you would like to donate! 

 

What do these servicemen need or want?  Well, we know from our past attempt that just about anything is very much appreciated and it varies somewhat by where each soldier is actually stationed.  Please note the list below that are the most common items asked for.   Cards and notes of encouragement are also very much appreciated.  Obviously the smaller the articles, the more we can pack in each box!  Keep in mind that some candy (specifically chocolate items) can melt and might not be a good choice especially with summer upon us.  There are also some restricted items – one specific is anything made or pork or pork by-products.  Choosing from the list below should be just fine.

 

Thanks for your support!

 

Steve Arnold

 

Items often requested:

 

Deodorant 
Shower to Shower body powder
Jelly beans

Disposable camera
Rice Krispie treats
Altoids or mints
Beef jerky

Snack mixes
Sunflower seeds

Chewing gum
Nuts
Long-distance phone cards
Little Debbie's snacks
Ziploc bags
Coffee
Gatorade
Jaw breakers
Playing cards
Dice
Music CD's

Footbag / hacky-sac
Toothbrushes & toothpaste

Inflatable pillow
Cookies in individual packages -

(Big bags often fill with dust if not eaten right away.)

Dominoes
Pasta and sauce 
Canned food items
Spices, salt, pepper
Smoked oysters and sardines 
Squeeze butter 
Pringles chips
Individually-wrapped licorice 
Microwave popcorn 
Ramen noodles 
Macaroni & cheese

Disposable shower towels
Olives, pickles, peppers

(Be sure to add lots and LOTS of bubble wrap around these items.) 
Cereal bars/granola bars 
Microwave pasta that doesn't need refrigeration 
Hot cocoa mix 
Soup mix 
M&M's (plain or peanut)

DVD movies 
Koozies to keep water bottles and cans cool 
Newspapers 
Magazines 
Air fresheners (...like stick-ups, F'breeze.)
Canned air to blow dust out of electronics 
Stress relief squeeze balls 
Sewing kit 
Baby wipes
Board games 
Shoe laces for gym shoes and boots 
Brown t-shirts 
Boot socks
Underwear 
Hand warmers 
Inflatable seat cushions 
Razors
Ink pens 
Notepads of paper

Word Puzzle books
Icy/hot patches 
Air activated heat wraps for sore muscles 
Foot massager
Microwaveable plates, bowls, paper plates

Foot Powder
Vitamins 
Paperback books