Mel Foster staff collecting 'Treasures for Troops'

Geneseo’s Mel Foster Co. will once again be sponsoring “Treasures for Troops.” Donations are needed to send care packages to service men and women currently stationed in areas of conflict.

Mel Foster staff has been organizing Treasures for Troops since 2004. Last year, volunteers assembled more than 111 boxes for members of the armed forces.

Donations may be dropped off Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the Mel Foster Co. office in Geneseo at 119 North State Street. The deadline to donate items or money is Sept. 11.

Items needed for the packages include: antibiotic ointment, aspirin/Tylenol, baby wipes, Ziplock bags, beef jerky, breakfast bars, bubble gum, collapsible cups, combs and hairbrushes, comic and paperback books, cotton balls, dental floss and toothbrushes, disposable cameras, ear plugs, envelopes, and writing tablets, flip flops, fly strips and fly swatters, Ramen Noodles, portable CD players and music CDs, socks, soups (small cans), sunblock, wrap around sunglasses, holiday decorations, movie DVD’s, tissues, puzzle books (crosswords, etc), greeting cards, hard candy, ice tea mix (individual packs), instant coffee and teabags, sweetened Kool-Aid, licorice, lollipops, Lunchables, mini flashlights, mosquito wipes, nail clippers and files, Neosporin, Nerf toys (footballs), pencil sharpeners, pens and pencils, Q-tips, pipe cleaners, playing cards (UNO, etc.), PopTarts, single serving pasta, batteries (all sizes), throat drops, Tums/Rolaids, jigsaw puzzles, hand sanitizer, purchased cookies, waterless hand soap and battery operated fans.

Items requested to be in small packets and sizes only include: ketchup, coffee creamer, deodorant, eye drops, foot powder, powdered Gatorade, powdered hot chocolate, fruit cups and pudding cups, hand/body lotion, Imodium and Pepto Bismol, mouth wash, microwave popcorn, shampoo, shaving cream, toothpaste, and snacks such as chips, pretzels, crackers, nuts, etc.  No aerosols, glass or chocolate will be accepted.

Monetary donations are needed to help cover postage and packing supply costs.  

Staff at Mel Foster Co. in Geneseo also are seeking addresses for service men and women currently serving overseas in areas of conflict for their Treasure for Troops campaign.  Names and addresses of servicemen and women with local connections who would appreciate receiving the items are also needed. Notes of support and encouragement are also appreciated and will be included in each package sent.

Addresses may be e-mailed to bbrudos@melfosterco.com or mailed to Mel Foster Co., 119 N. State Street, Geneseo, IL 61254. For more information, phone 309-944-6414.