Staff reports
Shelby Anderson of School District 166 has launched an effort to let the men and women serving in the Armed Forces know that they have not been forgotten, especially during the holiday season. Anderson invites the community to join her in remembering them over the holidays by contributing— either with goodies or non-perishable food items or financially— to a “Cookies for Troops“ drive. Bill Tormondsen, director of the Cook County High School Band, is presenting a special Veteran’s Day concert at 10:00 a.m. on November 11th and donations will be accepted at the concert.
Tables will be set up at the concert to receive donations of cookies, nuts, etc. There will also be opportunities to give a free-will donation. Volunteers will be packing the boxes and filling out the required paperwork the next day with Girl Scout’s help and mailing on Friday, Nov. 13, the recommended mailing date for overseas military installations.
The US Post Office offers a discounted rate of $11.95 per Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box sent to APO/FPO addresses. As you can see, it is expensive to send the packages. Last year’s drive – which asked for donations only from Sawtooth Elementary families – cost well over $100.00 to send. Besides opportunities to give financially at the concert, we’ve also set up Coins for Cookies jars in classrooms to encourage students to help with the expenses.
Anderson explains, “As I watch the news and the continued violence in Iraq and Afghanistan, my heart aches for these brave young men and women serving. No matter your views on U.S. involvement, these are our young people—sons and daughters, spouses, parents, sisters, brothers, grandchildren, cousins. I do not ever want them to think we have forgotten them.”
If you have a loved one serving in Afghanistan or Iraq, Anderson asks that you please bring his/her complete address and volunteers will make sure he or she gets a holiday package!
If you have any questions or want to offer help, please contact Shelby Anderson at 387-2273 ext. 406, or email sanderson@isd166.k12. mn.us/. More information can also be found on-line at www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/ welcome.htm/
Recommendations for Cookie
Donations & Packaging
»»Remember –extreme desert heat will melt chocolate
items! Afghanistan has extreme temperatures both hot
and cold.
»»For cookies, place two cookies back-to-back and wrap
them in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped cookies in a
hard plastic container such as Gladware and make sure
they don’t slide around.
»»Bars can be wrapped individually.
»»Soldiers also like packages of nuts and snacks or favorites
like Oreos, etc.
»»Individual packets of hot chocolate/hot cider are also
welcome.
»»Regulations prohibit any pork products being sent. If
sending jerky, please read the ingredient list.
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