Community Service

Military Care Packages

This is our third year working with Operation Support Our Troops-Illinois, Inc. We will be collecting now until the November Pack meeting on the 30th. Last year we had a great response. Feel free to share this information with your co-workers, family and friends.

We asking the parents of our Scouts to participate by collecting items on their Current Top Ten List

1. Tuna Flat Packs
2. Peanut Butter (28 oz or less, Plastic Jars)
3. Canned fruit (29 oz or less)
4. Jelly (28 oz or less, Plastic Jars)
5. Beef Jerky, Slim Jims
6. Mouthwash (20 oz or less)
7. Cereal Bars
8. Non Aerosol Sunscreen
9. Non Aerosol Insect Repellent or Wipes
10. Gallon Ziploc Bags

Please note sizes on our list, no glass please and check for expiration dates before donating to collection.

Beyond their Top Ten items currently requested you can help by collecting:

• Used Magazines and Comics (6 months old or less)
• Toilet Paper
• Travel-size Board Games / Playing Cards / Dice
• Mini battery-operated fans
• Packets of Powdered Cold Beverages (lemonade, Koolaid, Gatorade, etc.)
• Hot Chocolate Packets
• Rice Krispie treats
• Sunflower Seeds / Nuts
• Chewing Gum
• Toothbrushes & Toothpaste
• Ziploc Bags
• Hard Candy - No Chocolate
• Soup Mix
• Batteries (AAA, AA & D)

Besides collecting donated goods, they also welcome letters to the troops. Every care package includes at least one letter from a citizen, and these letters are highly prized by their recipients. Since they send to every branch of the military, and not all military personnel are called “soldiers”, use the more generic greeting of “Dear military person” in the letters. Also do not make the letter holiday specific as the recipient may not recieve the letter during that holiday season. Please do not seal the letters. The letters do not require postage and if you would like the individual that receives your letter to possibly write back, include your name and address.

Each package costs aproximately $25 dollars to send out. If you would like to make a monetary donation or your just curious to learn more about the organization click here.

http://www.osotil.org/aboutosotil.html