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Effort underway to collect personal items for care packages to local troops By JOHN
MUNFORD A little Kool-Aid or some Tootsie Rolls could go a long way toward boosting the morale of Fayette County's military personnel stationed thousands of miles away from home. That's why Suzanne Powell of Peachtree City has begun a campaign to provide those creature comforts to American troops, specifically those with Fayette ties. The donations are needed soon, particularly for packages since the packages may be stopped once war begins, Powell said. "Many of the soldiers who will be receiving the packages are in classified locations and have not received care packages or letters from any organized effort," Powell said. The campaign, dubbed "Operation WeSOT" (We Support Our Troops) needs monetary donations in addition to various items to help pay for shipping costs. Donations are being accepted at the Village Paint stores in Peachtree City on Ga. Highway 54 East near Club Peachtree and in Fayetteville in the Hudson Plaza behind McDonald's. Powell is encouraging local groups such as clubs, Sunday School classes, scout troops and others to put together boxes and/or write notes, then bring them to the stores for shipment. Boxes should be left unopened so they can be packaged according to the guidelines set by the Red Cross. Individual, unboxed items from groups are also welcome, but no homemade items are allowed. Suggested items include: Individually pieces of hard candy such as Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, Skittles, LifeSavers, SweetTarts). Chocolate bars and candies (only during cold weather). Microwave popcorn, peanuts, pretzels and other snack foods. Sweetened drinks such as Kool-Aid, Gatorade. Coffee, sugar, creamer, tea bags, hot chocolate and hot cider. Toiletry items such as shaving cream (but not shaving gel), razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower soap, hand sanitizer/hand lotion, wet wipes, Kleenex and Q-tips. Sunscreen, lip balm. Wrap-around sunglasses. Batteries (assorted sizes). Blank greeting cards for special occasions. Videos, DVDs, music CDs and cassettes. Travel-size board games. Playing cards, card games. Recent paperback books and magazines. Holiday decorations. Phone cards. Pringles potato chips, nuts, dried fruit, cup of noodles. For more information, visit www.operationwesot.org.
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