Great organization: Operation Support Our Troops--Illinois

Mark Draughan over at WindyPundit tipped me off to this organization, Operation Support Our Troops-Illinois.

It was founded in 2003 by Deb Rickert, and they've shipped over 12,000 boxes of goods to our overseas troops. Not everything a soldier or sailor needs can be easily picked up the the base.

What do our troops need?

Canned Fruit (16 oz.)
Crackers (Standard 14.4 box) to put Peanut Butter and Tuna on
Beef Jerky/Slim Jims
Nuts in a 20 oz. or less container; no glass please

Shower Bag Items:
Shaving Cream
Deodorant
Hand lotion (no pump tops please)
Body wash (16 oz or smaller—no bars of soap, please)
Foot Powder (20 oz. or less)
Socks – Black or White Men’s Crew Socks

Cold drink mix for bottled water (such as Crystal Lite To Go) and powered Gatorade; Coffee (Tea bag style of coffee or packets such as from a hotel) and/or 1 lb. ground coffee
Unscented baby wipes
Pringles (in a tall canister
Jelly (20 oz. or less; plastic only, please) & Peanut Butter (20 oz. or less)

Seasonal Items:
Bug Spray (non aerosol)
Fly Strips
Fly swatters (short handles are best for shipping)
Sunscreen

Operation Support our Troops has drop off sites throughout the Chicago area. If you live elsewhere, there is a PayPal account where donations are being accepted.

On July 21 in west suburban Wheaton, a fundraiser-concert will take place for Operation Support our Troops--Illinois, featuring Gary Sinise's Lt. Dan Band. Dennis Miller will be there too.

Sinise is best known of course for his role as "Lt. Dan" in Forrest Gump and he's currently appearing in CSI-New York. A big supporter of our troops, Sinise is a Chicago area native.

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