Miami Lakes Veterans Committee is asking residents to assist in “Operation: Care and Comfort” to complete its mission to send care packages overseas to U.S. troops. Donations such as non-perishable foods, snacks, and treats, personal hygiene accessories and toiletries, batteries, socks, hand towels, notebooks and pens can be dropped off at the first floor reception desk at Town Hall, 6601 Main Street.
Items donated by November 11 will be packed and shipped in time for holiday delivery.
The following Care and Comfort items are needed on a continuing basis for deployed U.S. forces:
Snacks, Foods and Treats:
• Individually wrapped hard candy (Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, Skittles, lollipops, Life Savers, Sweet Tarts, etc.), chewing and bubble gum, mints, breath strips (no handmade items.)
• Small packages (lunch box sized) of nuts, seeds, pretzels, cookies, chips (Pringle type containers best), Cracker Jacks, crackers, Corn Nuts, fruit snacks and fruit leather, Gardettos
• Trail Mix, energy bars, protein bars, breakfast and granola bars, nut bars, instant oatmeal, Kraft Easy Mac, ramen, Cup a Noodles.
• Powdered, sweetened drink mixes (Gatorade, Crystal Light, Kool-Aid), ground or instant coffee, tea bags, hot chocolate, cider mix, sugar, sweetener, Coffee Mate, and condiment packets.
• Canned meats (No Pork), stews, chili, ravioli, soups, fruit, beef jerky, non-refrigerated microwavable meals.
Personal Hygiene and Toiletries:
• Hotel/travel sized gel deodorant, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste and mouthwash, toothbrushes, dental floss and lip balm.
• For Females – Hair bands, clips, bobby pins, tampons, maxi and mini pads, oil free face cleaner, makeup remover, nail kits, mascara and makeup.
• Disposable razors, eye drops, nose drops, unscented baby wipes, wet wipes, small hand sanitizer, Mach III Turbo Razor blades and other good razors and blades.
• Small Kleenex packets, Q-Tips (large packages are fine), anti-fungal creams, Band Aids, foot powder and sunscreen.
Miscellaneous items:
• DVDs, CDs, game consoles and games (even older models as long as the connectors are included), AAA and AA batteries, pens, pencils, blank greeting cards and stationary, stickers, disposable cameras, AT&T phone cards.
• Hand written cars and letters of encouragement for the troops.