Holiday Hope for Our Overseas Troops

is the theme for a collaborative effort of Kent’s Davis IGA and American Legion Hall-Jennings Post 153 to gather and deliver holiday packages to men and women serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other overseas locations.

Beginning Friday, November 23, Davis IGA at Kent Green will be the collection point for non-perishable, light-weight items such as beef jerky, summer sausage, hard candy, gum, sunflower seeds, cheese and cracker packets, chips, tuna/salmon in foil, instant soups, noodles, cocoa, microwave popcorn, and powdered drink mixes. Gary Davis, Audrey Davis, John Grant and other IGA personnel will post signs and assist with selections. This will be a home-town community effort to recognize our troops during this special season,” Gary Davis stated. We are directing the care packages to military units connected to Kent in any way because we care about them.” Names and addresses of service people should be submitted to Audrey Davis at 868-9376, or to American Legion representative Andy Ocif at 927-3318 (email aocif3318@charter.net.)
Time is of the essence, according to Cynthia Merritt of Kent, who was instrumental in establishing the Field of Flags in Gaylordsville and whose son is in Iraq. The cut-off date for contributions is Monday, December 3, so that the packages can be shipped by December 5.
Other suggestions for donations include Christmas cards and decorations, AT&T phone cards, current magazines, paperback books, foot powder, and travel size toiletries.

Special carts will be available at Davis IGA for drop-off of items.