Red Cross offers residents ways to help troops

The Sierra Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering Carson City-area residents a way to help U. S. troops fighting overseas.

Brand said Red Cross Month is being celebrated by starting the program for troops in the Middle East.

"The Red Cross has stations located within the deployed troops as part of their Armed Forces Emergency Services and has asked local chapters to send 'Quality of Life' donations from their communities to help make the life of the troops a little easier," said Donna Brand, Red Cross volunteer coordinator.

She said the donations are for regular military, reserve units and National Guard personnel to provide morale boosts, reporting and emergency communication service.

"We will be assembling 'care packages,' with items such as shaving cream, razors and toothbrushes," Brand said.

But donations of money are always needed to pay for things such as postage to mail packages, she said.

Other items the Red Cross would like donated include toothpaste, shampoo, shower soap or gel, hand sanitizer, lotion, Wet Wipes, lip balm and sunscreen.

Red Cross asked donors to remember that there are no stores near where most troops are stationed

Other items to be donated include individually wrapped pieces of hard candy, bubble gum, Life Savers -- but no handmade items or chocolate because it's hot in the desert, Red Cross officials said.

Microwave popcorn, peanuts, pretzels, jerky, other snacks, sweetened Kool-Aid, Gatorade, other powdered drink mixes, instant coffee, sugar, creamer, tea bags, hot chocolate and hot cider also may be donated.

The Red Cross said they will accept personal entertainment items such as videos, DVDs, music CDs and cassettes, puzzle books, comic books, paperbacks, small board games, jigsaw puzzles and decks of playing cards.

Wrap-around sunglasses, assorted batteries, blank greeting cards, stationery and small pencil sharpeners also may be donated.

Brand said the Red Cross does not collect blood in Nevada. People who wish to donate are asked to call United Blood Services at 887-9111.

TO HELP

Donations to help the troops can be sent to the Sierra Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1190 Corporate Blvd., Reno NV, 89502. Call (775) 856-1000.