Now, it is way too early to be thinking about St. Valentine’s Day, but it is not too early to bless our troops.  This year on Epiphany Sunday, January 8, 2012, we will be honoring the Lord by bringing our gifts along with those of the wise men.  We will be collecting supplies to bless our troops overseas in Afghanistan.  We are calling this “Operation: Valentine” because by the time our troops receive the gifts, it will be February.  As you are picking up last minute Christmas goodies, or doing your day after Christmas shopping, don’t forget our troops who are overseas defending our freedom during the Holidays.

Care Package Item Recommendations:  (Remember, please only buy non-aerosol items, nothing illegal, and nothing that will melt or be crushed.  Also, I have been told that travel-size/individual serving size items are usually preferred.)

• Nerf balls, footballs, hacky sacks, etc.
• Baby Wipes
• Laundry soap (small, single load packs, trial sizes, or tablets)
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Soap &/or body wash
• New or used (in good condition) Beanie babies (the troops give them out to local children)
• Lotion (tubes only) for dry/rough skin
• Hand sanitizer
• Aloe Vera (tubes only)
• Sunblock
• Trial size containers of Febreeze
• Insect repellant (with DEET)
• Non-aerosol shaving cream/lotion
• Eye drops
• Ziplock bags
• Individual packs of tissue
• Travel size packs of Q-tips
• Baby powder &/or foot powder
• Dr. Scholls Moleskin (pads for sore feet)
• Toothpaste/toothbrush
• Lip balm
• Cough drops
• Individual, hand held fans (battery powered)
• Batteries
• Multi-vitamins
• Mouthwash (travel size)
• dental floss/dental picks
• Hand/foot warmers
• Writing paper, envelopes, pens
• Games & puzzles (hand held only)
• Plastic spoons
• Disposable cameras
• Canned fruit (pop-tops only) or dried fruit
• Chips (individual snack packs in plastic containers, like Pringles, are best)
• Trail mix, beef jerky, nuts, fruit snacks, crackers, &/or cookies (in individual snack packs)
• Instant oatmeal
• Cereal (individual, plastic cup style servings)
• Power Bars
• Pop tarts
• Powdered drink mix (Gatorade, Crystal Light, instant coffee, hot cocoa, instant tea, etc.)
• Cheese crackers/peanut butter crackers
• Spices (sugar packets, salt, powdered creamer, seasoning salt, Tabasco, other spices [sour, hot, sweet… anything]) – I am told that the MREs get very bland over time & they need a little extra flavoring.
• Gum/Lifesavers/Twizzlers/Hard Candy
• Ravioli (pop top cans only) &/or Ramen Noodles (in a cup, ready to heat)
• Soups (individual plastic containers, like Campbell’s brand ‘Soup at Hand’)