Beginning October 3, State Senator Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst) and State Representative Peter Breen (R-Lombard) will once again partner with the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the local Lilac Post 5815 for their third annual “Support Our Troops” collection drive. Items collected throughout the months of October and November will be delivered to military personnel serving overseas near or before Christmas.
“Supporting our troops is as easy as buying some of the suggested items the next time you’re in the store, and bringing them to our legislative offices. Your thoughtfulness will mean so much to the men and women who are a long way from home, especially during the holiday season,” Nybo said. “Rep. Breen and I want the brave young men and women who serve in our military—now and in years past—to know how much we appreciate their leadership and their commitment to freedom.”
The Nybo/Breen shared legislative office at 929 S. Main Street, Suite 105A in Lombard will serve as the drop-off location for items to be donated to U.S. troops. Donations will be accepted from October 3 through November 30 during normal business hours of 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
“By donating to this drive, we can show our appreciation and respect of those serving this country overseas,” said Breen. “It’s a small way to make a big difference as these brave men and women spend the holiday season away from their families and loved ones.”
As they have done in the past, Nybo and Breen would also like to send care packages specifically to local soldiers from the area (IL Senate District 24 or IL House District 48). Friends and family with loved ones from the area who are currently serving in the military are encouraged to contact the Nybo/Breen office with their names and addresses.
Recommended items to be included in the care packages include:
• Books, magazines, crossword and word search puzzles, coloring books, colored pencils, dominoes, checkers or chess games
• iTunes gift cards, headphones or ear buds, DVD movies or television shows, small video games, international calling cards
• Baby wipes, deodorant, Kleenex, lotion, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, female hygiene items, shaving cream, razors
• Beef jerky, powdered drink mix, coffee, granola or protein bars, trail mix, dry snacks, mixed nuts
• Laundry detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, air fresheners
• Footballs, basketballs, soccer balls and frisbees
Because the items will be mailed, the collection drive will not accept aerosol cans and containers, food items that could melt or spoil, and fragile items.
For more information about the collection drive, or to leave contact information for a specific member of the service, call Sen. Nybo’s office at (630) 969-0990.
