Boxed gifts for soldiers overseas to be mailed soon

Volunteers for the Army Reserve are mailing their first shipment of Shoeboxes for Soldiers in the coming days.

The campaign, which began this month, is aimed at getting donors to buy enough Christmas gifts to fill a shoe box. Recommended items include: pens, paper, stamps, hard candy, tiny Christmas trees, light-weight gloves, travel-size toiletries, gum and damp wipes.

Tina Plaskie, whose husband, John, is serving in the Army Reserve in Iraq, said volunteers have collected enough for 500 boxes. They also would like gifts of shoe boxes to hold the presents and wrapping paper and tape to wrap them.

"As many as we get, we'll continue to ship," she said.

Those with questions may call the Reserve Center at 334-7312, extension 221, or Plaskie at 204-7236. She also is seeking civic organizations to help wrap the packages.