I was just watching the news and the Carolina chapter of the Red Cross along with Food Lion has started a CARE PACKAGES to US Troops called Sack of Smiles. This will most likely be Student Council's service project for the remainder of the school year. I was just passing it along in case anyone else has an interest in doing it either through your job, church, chapter, neighborhood, dorm, college, etc. etc.
For those in North Carolina, here is the exact information from the website. For others, you will have to contact your local Red Cross to see if they have a similar project. No matter how we feel about war, we all know someone or know someone who knows someone who is over there fighting.
http://www.redcrosshelps.org/news/sack_of_smiles.htm
Help Red Cross Send "Sacks O' Smiles" to Military Personnel Overseas
The American Red Cross is collecting small, fun items to create "Sacks O' Smiles" for military personnel deployed to active duty. The specific, approved items will be sorted, bagged and shipped to troops by Red Cross volunteers at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, NC.
Local Red Cross volunteers, including members of Charlotte's VFW Post 1160, will accept items Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Red Cross offices in the following locations:
2425 Park Road in Charlotte
1930 Jake Alexander Blvd. West in Salisbury
145 W. Statesville Avenue in Mooresville
167 Union Street in Concord
125 N. Tradd Street in Statesville
190 S Oakland Street in Gastonia (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
608 E. Franklin Street in Monroe (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
200 Piedmont Blvd in Rock Hill (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
215 Patton Drive, Shelby
243 W. Main Street, Albemarle
Items approved by the U.S. military, small enough to all fit into a 1 gallon Ziplock storage bag "Sack O' Smiles," include drink mix with sugar or Nutrasweet, playing cards, travel board games, latest novels, small packs of nabs, pre-packaged cookies, individually wrapped hard candy, baby wipes, sunscreen, and Chapstick. -- WHAT ARE NABS??
Also, American Red Cross Greater Carolinas Chapter is accepting financial contributions to support its Armed Forces and Emergency Services (AFES) program which serves local military personnel and their families. To contribute, mail checks or money orders to AFES, c/o American Red Cross Greater Carolinas Chapter, P.O. Box 36507, Charlotte, NC 28236 or make secure online donations by credit card.
Since its founding in 1881, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response agency. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to victims of war, Red Cross also aids victims of natural disasters as well as offering community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.