Friday is deadline for donations going to Richmond County troops

ROCKINGHAM — The deadline is nearing to donate care-package items bound for deployed local National Guard and other troops to the VFW Auxiliary.

Friday will be the final day to drop off donations, according to Auxiliary President Robin Roberts, before the care packages are boxed up at the VFW on Saturday.

In the past, the group has adopted a specific unit stationed at one place, but the local National Guard troops are “scattered,” according to Roberts.

The adopted unit for 2019 was U.S. Army 204th Clearance Company stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. The Auxiliary also sent packages to local troops deployed to Japan and South Korea.

The requested items are: 

• granola bars/protein bars/energy bars, 
• beef jerky, trail mix
• microwavable food (popcorn, ramen noodles)
• peanut butter/jelly
• jello/pudding cups
• tuna and chicken in pouches
• chips and pretzels in a hard container, snack crackers, hard candy, fruit snacks, gum, store-bought cookies and dried fruit, cereal bars, instant oatmeal
• drink mixes, instant coffee, tea bags, protein powder
• hot sauce, seasoning packets, salt and pepper packets, seasoning salt, travel-size condiments
• toiletries/personal hygiene - travel-size shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste/toothbrush and mouthwash, deodorant, body wash, lotion, washcloths, razors, shaving cream, feminine products, hairbrush, comb, bobby pins, hair ties, foot/body powder, cleaning wipes
• nail kits (clippers, files), eyeglasses kits
• sunscreen/insect repellent
• batteries
• frisbees, footballs and sports equipment
• crosswords/Sudoku puzzles
• playing cards/dice
• activities to share
• small First Aid kit
• antibacterial ointment, rubbing alcohol, petroleum jelly
• travel-size medicines (pain, cold meds), multi-vitamins, anti-histamines, ace bandages, mentholated chest rub, nasal spray, chapstick

Earlier this month, Auxiliary members went shopping — using money from last year’s Rockin’ for Veterans concert and other monetary donations — in Fayetteville to purchase supplies.

Donations can be dropped off at the Rockingham VFW Post on River Road, with Roberts at Hudson Brothers Deli, with Denita Cauley at Maness Tire or with Richard Robinson at Double Vision. Other locations accepting donations are Family Pharmacy and FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Richmond.

The packages will be shipped out on Monday, Roberts said.