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Help Send Santa to the Troops

It may have a different name, but the mission stays the same. For the past five years, Help Send Santa to Baghdad has shipped holiday care packages to our soldiers stationed in Iraq. Since our troops have been pulled out of Iraq, and are serving in countries around Iraq, they felt the need for a name change to better fit their current mission.

Help Send Santa to the Troops will continue to take names and addresses of your loved ones. Every name of a deployed Soldier they have will get a care package. Tens of thousands of U.S. troops won’t be home for Christmas this year because they are on duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Last year Help Send Santa to Baghdad sent more than 50,000 pounds in gift items to more than 2,500 troops who couldn’t be home for the holidays, and over 900 packages totaling nearly $14,000. They are expecting to send over 1200 packages this year. That may cost close to $15,000.

No military member deployed during the holiday season will be turned away. Help Send Santa to the Troops just asks that they receive an accurate FPO/APO address.

Throughout the month of November, at various businesses and social functions in the tri-cities, Help Send Santa to the Troops will have collection points set up for item donations. They are also looking for monetary donations to help with the shipping costs.

They are especially looking for holiday oriented items to send. Things like Santa hats and reindeer antler headbands are really appreciated by our soldiers.

Other items that can be dropped off include beef jerky, crystal light, ground coffee, high protein bars, instant oatmeal, toiletries that do not have alcohol in the ingredients, bandanas, socks and underwear, baseballs, basketballs, and batteries.

Items they cannot accept, due to weight restrictions, size, the USPS, and the local laws and culture, are hardcover books, magazines, gels, creams or liquids, aerosols, religious materials, glass, or homemade baked goods.

Based on the growing response to Send Santa to the Troops, the nonprofit organization called Yellow Ribbon Guard was created to continue the work of other outreach opportunities for families with husbands, fathers, and other family members who have been in the war. If you would like to make a monetary donation, send checks to Yellow Ribbon Guard, P.O. Box 11, Reese, MI 48757-0011; Memo Line: Help Send Santa to the Troops.

Information regarding all drop-off spot locations and dates in the Tri-Cities and a complete list of acceptable items to be sent overseas can be found at WNEM TV-5’s Web site, www.wnem.com; Z-93’s Web site, www.z93kqz.fm; and Oldies 96’s Web site, www.whnn.com.  Information is also available at www.myspace.com/sendsantatobaghdad.

Donation drop-off locations include:
The Alma Armory, 710 S. State, Alma
Bay City Armory, 2510 Wilder, Monitor Township
American Legion, 700 Adams, Bay City
Brady’s Sports Bar & Diner, 512 E. Midland, Bay City
7-Eleven, 3543 Old Kawkawlin, Bangor Township
Eudici’s Pizza, 184 Church, Tittabawassee Township
Aleda E. Lutz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1500 Weiss, Saginaw
Saginaw Spirit office, 5789 State, Saginaw Township
Glen’s Market, 2206 South M-76, West Branch

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Help Send Santa to the Troops, contact Melissa Alex at 989-670-3860 or Travis George at 989-928-4617 or send e-mails to sendsantatobaghdad@yahoo.com.

 

 

 

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