The CVS at Whipp Road and Far Hills Avenue in Washington Twp. recently was recognized by the American Legion Auxiliary Kettering Unit 598 with a Certificate of Appreciation for collecting items to send to troops overseas.
“One day I stopped over at CVS and they had a little carousel over there that said ‘Support the troops,’ ” said Ruth Ann Ogden of the auxiliary.
Ogden sends care packages to troops overseas for the auxiliary, while Carol Kelly collects items for the men who served in the military and are back home.
“CVS has been absolutely wonderful in promoting the little things that we send to our troops,” said Kelly, who is a past president of the auxiliary. “They have three displays up, and promote the purposes (of the collection) and encourage donations.”
Chuck Kopa, manager of the CVS at 5981 Far Hills Ave., said they have had the displays up for about four years, and keep them up year-round.
“We had a couple different former employees, one in the (National) Guard and one who served in Iraq. It was his idea for the display,” Kopa said of the latter employee. “He suggested hand sanitizer, Chapstick — some of the little things we offer here in the store. He would say, ‘If I had this in my backpack, it would have helped.’ ”
Kopa said employees put items bought by customers into a box for donation, and the auxiliary picks it up.
He said CVS encourages community involvement.
Ogden, who has one grandson in the Marines and one grandson in the Air Force, said she has heard from many soldiers about how much they appreciate donations sent through the auxiliary.
“One day, I went to my mailbox, and found that (a soldier) had sent me an Iraqi Freedom Medal,” she said. “Now it is on display at the post.”
The auxiliary, which also works with Blue Star Mothers of America, collects food, toiletries and other items for troops throughout the year.
For information about how to donate, call Rhonda Hunter at (937) 435-2732.
Also, for those who want to support the Dayton VA Hospital, the annual Ohio Veteran Barbecue Cook-off will be held at American Legion Post 598 from 3 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 9-10.
Post 598 is at 5700 Kentshire Drive in Kettering.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7325 or jikelley@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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