Everyone's Opinion Newsletter

OPERATION S.O.S. is kicking off its 6th annual campaign to help make the Christmas season a little brighter for American troops who are stationed overseas. The groups was founded by Smith House of Furniture owner, Gary Glare. Last year, OPERATION S.O.S. sent over 400 Christmas care packages to Iraq for members of both the 101st Airborne and the 56th Stryker Brigade Units based out of Altoona and Tyrone.

Packages will be sent in early December, and the receiving unit is yet to be determined.

OPERATION S.O.S. is accepting only the following items. A monetary contribution is welcomed as well. Checks can be made payable to:

OPERATION S.O.S.

P.O. Box 305

Duncansville, PA 16635

The list:

• Nuts, sunflower seeds, fruitsnacks, and trail mix

•Envelopes of hot chocolate mix in individual packets

• Tea & coffee bags

• Microwave popcorn

• Individual packets of sugar, sweeteners

• Beef jerky and Slim Jims, flavored or unflavored creamer

• Tuna or chicken lunch kits (with crackers)

• Power bars, nutritional bars, granola bars

• Rice KrispieTreats, Pop Tarts

• Gum, Life Savers, and Tic-Tacs

• Dried fruit, fruit cups, and pudding cups

• Peanut brittle and hard candy

• Instant cereal packs (oatmeal, Cream of Wheat)

• Cup-O-Noodles or Ramen Noodles

• Miscellaneous toiletry items

• Eye drops, saline nasal spray, Q-tips

• AT&T phone cards (International only)

• Throat lozenges and cough drops

• Hand-written cards or thank you notes

• Liquid hand sanitizers

• Cleaning and disinfecting wipes (Clorox, etc.)

• Odor Eaters, cushion insoles

• Ziploc bags (any size)

• Healing lotion, powder or ointment for feet

• Battery operated lights

• Hand lotion, body lotion, body powder

• Batteries (AA, AAA, D) or regular size)

• Music CDs or Movie DVDs (new or used)

• Small packets of facial tissues

• White or gray cotton socks

• Individual packets of pain relievers (Tylenol, aspirin, etc...)

• Feminine hygiene items

• Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss

• Non-aerosol bug repellent, fly paper

• Sunscreen, aloe vera lotion

• Deodorant, disposable razors

• Room deodorizers, such as Stick-Ups

• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash (travel or regular size)

• Lip balm (Chapstick, Blistex, etc...)

• Hand wipes (baby wipes, Wet Ones, etc...)

• Washcloths (dark colors preferred)

• Pre-wrapped individual toilet paper rolls (Scott,etc...)