Peoria seeking donations for care packages to be sent to troops overseas

PHOENIX — It might only be November but the city of Peoria is already looking forward to Christmas plans, especially for the troops.

Peoria, alongside the Peoria Sunset Lions Club Foundation, is seeking donations from the public to help fill care packages that will be sent to America troops overseas.

Rachelle Barrett, wife of Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett and chairperson of Christmas for the Troops with the Peoria Sunset Lions Club Foundation said because of changes in shipping they need to send the packages ahead of their usual schedule.

“Usually we don’t ship until the 10th of December, (but this year) we have to be shipped before the first of December,” Barrett said.

Donations of supplies that will go into the care packages are always needed Barrett said, and they’ll be collecting supplies until November 20.

“They ask for all forms of toiletries for men and women,” she said. “Most Americans don’t know that our deployed troops buy their own soap and shampoo, and toothbrushes and shaving cream and if they bug out in a hurry all that stuff is left behind.”

Other useful items include socks, magazines, thermal underwear, protein bars and other non-perishable foods.

Barrett said if people are unable to donate items, they can also help out financially because this year the city hopes to send 400 boxes.

“Four-hundred boxes at the flat rate of ‘If It Fits, It Ships’ military rate is $13.30 a box,” she said. “That’s $5,300 in postage.”

Otherwise people can also help by donating their time to pack some of the packages.

“We’re going to be packing at the Challenger Learning Center in Peoria,” she said. “If people are interested in volunteering to help pack they can also do that.”

Volunteers can help packages boxes on Nov. 24 and 25. The Challenger Learning Center is located at 21170 N. 83rd Avenue in Peoria.

Related

6 people, including 4 children, injured in Mesa crashSean Grayson, former Illinois deputy convicted of killing Sonya Massey, dies in prison, lawyer saysPolice investigate after 5 bodies found in rural area outside Portland, OregonTrump is heading to his golf course in Ireland to watch the Irish Open golf tournament next month2 very different Phoenix eateries make NYT list of best Mexican restaurantsHe was waiting for his son to return from the USS Lincoln. Then Border Patrol arrested him.