Collection drive for troops' care packages expands

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By Margo Rutledge Kissell, Staff Writer 3:11 PM Monday, September 14, 2009

BEAVERCREEK — Leigh Brewer never realized how much of an impact the care packages were having on the troops serving overseas until she started reading letters from the military personnel.

“It’s a huge pick-me-up for those who are over there,” said Brewer, a lieutenant for the Beavercreek Twp. Fire Department, which also covers the city of Beavercreek and village of Alpha.

Brewer helped organize a collection drive the last two years within the fire department and at Peace Lutheran Church in Beavercreek.

This year, the department is expanding the effort to the entire Miami Valley, hoping to make an even larger impact.

Called “Heroes Helping Heroes,” the collection drive started Monday, Sept. 14, and will run through Sept. 28.

Brewer is working with Blue Star Mothers of America, Miami Valley Chapter 3, to get addresses for military personnel who might enjoy receiving care packages because they are in such remote regions or don’t regularly receive packages from home.

Drop-off locations include fire stations at 2195 Dayton-Xenia Road, 3100 Kemp Road and 3633 Indian Ripple Road. Donations can be placed on tables in the lobby of each station.

Peace Lutheran Church, 3530 Dayton-Xenia Road, also be a collection site while Station 62 is under construction.

Brewer said monetary donations also are being accepted to pay for shipping. Checks should be made out to Beavercreek Fire Local No. 2857 — Care Package Drive and sent to Professional Firefighters Local No. 2857, PO Box 192, Alpha, Ohio 45301.

Examples of items being collected

Potato chips, gum, hard candy, store-bought cookies that won’t melt, beef jerky, nuts, microwave foods, cheese crackers, tuna/chicken (vacuum sealed packs), drink mixes for water bottles, small cans of food with pop tops, fruit, Vienna sausages, beans and franks.

Other items include unscented wet wipes, stationary, tube socks, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

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