USO donations accepted
at Stow Sentry office
WHAT: USO donations are being collected and will be sent to soldiers serving in the Middle East.
WHERE: At the Stow Sentry office of Record Publishing Co., 1619 Commerce Drive, Stow, where a collection box will be placed inside the main doorway.
WHEN: Weekdays starting Nov. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHO: For more information, e-mail Angel Fueston, Summit County volunteer coordinator: angelfueston@hotmail.com or call her at 330-688-2997 or 330-861-6697, or call Jeannie Soley, USO program manager at the North Canton care package facility, 4932 Hossler Drive NW, North Canton, 44720 (phone/fax 330-497-7628).
ITEMS TO DONATE: Moisture and hand lotion (travel size); Shampoo and cream rinse (travel size); lip balm; Sun block (small size); Antiperspirants, 1.7 oz.; Toothbrush; Toothpaste (travel size); Dental floss; Shaving cream (travel size); Disposable razors; Combs and brushes (small); Feminine products (individual wrapped); Gold Bond, 1 oz.; Petroleum jelly, 3.75 oz.; Powder, 1.5 oz.; Noxzima, 2.5 oz.
Necessities: Bug lotion; Gallon-size zip-lock bags (keeps out sand); Dryer sheets (for bugs and smell); Air fresheners (smelly tents); Fly strips or swatters; Laundromat-size laundry soap.
Other items: Powder drink mixes (hot and cold); Tea bags and coffee packets; Cup of soup, Ramen Noodles; Granola bars; Trail mix; Power bars; Dried fruit; Nuts (any kind); Hard or chewy candy, gum (wrapped); Dry cereal (individual servings); Cans of applesauce (pull top lid); Cracker Jack; Fruit roll-ups; Peanut butter (no larger than 12 oz.); Seasonings and Tabasco (no larger than 4 oz,); (Plastic) Beef jerky.
Morale boosters: Disposable cameras; Tobacco; Letter writing material; Pens; Paper; Envelopes (no stamps needed); Small pocket notebooks; Personal letters (we include them in the box, so remember your return address if you want a letter back); Sunglasses; Magazines (no swimsuit edition); Books; Letters written to them; Local newspapers; Pictures; Playing cards; Word puzzle books; Travel size games.
Personal hygiene: Small bars of soap (hotel size); Toilet paper; Purell, 4.25 oz.; Baby wipes, 50 count; Facial tissues, pocket size; Eye drops, .05 oz.
Keep in mind: When shopping, remember that the troops only have pockets and backpacks to keep their possessions in. Large items are too hard for them to handle. They are also too much to ship. Think of it like you are the one walking in 140-degree heat in the middle of nowhere. How would you pack? No chocolate. It will not be shipped. (It melts). No batteries. (Postmaster said so). No pork products. No pornographic materials are allowed to go into Muslim countries.
Holy Family conducting clothing drive
Holy Family Church is conducting a clothing drive for Akron's homeless and working poor that attend the Hot Meals Program at St. Bernard's Church in downtown Akron.
Most needed are all sizes of men's warm coats, hoodies, hats, gloves, boots, shoes, thermal underwear, socks and pants, especially jeans.
Blankets and backpacks are also needed. Any items that aren't needed will be forwarded to other charitable organizations.
The numbers that attend the meals are on the rise. The participants of the program are about 80 percent me, 15 percent women and 5 percent children and infants, making the need for men's clothing the greatest.
In years past, the meals averaged 200 people, but lately are averaging 250 and have had as many as 350 on some nights.
Items can be dropped off at Holy Family Church's lower church hall in the St. Bernard's collection bin. Holy Family Church is located at 3450 Sycamore Drive, Stow.
Any questions, contact Mary at 330-650-5319. If a tax receipt is desired, attach the name and address to the donation.
The clothing drive runs until the end of December.
Dinner party to benefit arthritis foundation
Red & White on Thursday Night, a strolling dinner party benefiting the Arthritis Foundation, Northeastern Ohio Chapter, returns to the John S. Knight Center on Jan. 28 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
The event, which is presented by Akron General Hospital, features cuisine from area restaurants, wine and a silent auction.
Tickets are $85 in advance or $95 at the door. V.I.P. tickets are $125.
Funds raised support critical arthritis research, programs and services.
For more information, visit www.RedAndWhiteOnThursdayNight.Eventbrite.com or contact Angie Smith at 330-644-3390, ext. 11 or angelasmith@arthritis.org.