![[Essential Estrogen]](http://www.essentialestrogen.com/gfx/blank.gif)
Clerks in the Iowa House and Senate continue to collect items and monetary donations for "Operation May Baskets" and could use your help, but the final deadline is looming. The baskets will soon be on their way to Iowa soldiers serving overseas.
Project Coordinator Jean Olson reports, "As of today, we have collected 125 names of Iowans serving overseas. The last day we can accept names and addresses and/or donations will be Thursday, March 29. We plan to fill and mail the boxes on April 5."
Those who wish to contribute are asked to remember that the containers are roughly the size of shoe boxes. Therefore, small items are needed. Participants are also encouraged to pack items in small plastic containers to avoid crushing. Such containers don't add weight to packages, and are invaluable for storing opened foods and for keeping the sand out of treasured possessions.
It is very important for personal care items and really anything with a smell (such as air fresheners) to be packed in a separate box from food items. If it isn't, the warm weather allows the odor to seep into food items (even if they are double-bagged). Soap should never go in the same box with food.
Checks should be made out to "Operation May Baskets." Donations (including checks) can be mailed to:
Operation May Baskets
House Post Office
2nd Floor, Iowa State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319
Personal care items on the soldiers' wish list include:
Lip Balm |
Non-Medicated Eye Drops |
Sun Block SPF 30+ |
Hand or Foot Cream/Body Lotion |
Body Powder or Spray |
Foot Powder or Spray |
Sanitizing Liquid Hand Soap |
Emery Boards & Nail Clippers |
Tweezers |
Facial Cleansing Pads |
Large Baby Wipes (soft packs) |
Kleenex Packets |
Q-Tips |
Headache Cooling Pads |
Athlete's Foot Medication |
Athletic Socks (black and white) |
Mole Skin/Blister Packs |
Gel Shoe Insoles |
Toilet Paper |
Dental Floss |
Multi-Vitamins |
Soap Dish |
Toothpaste & Brush |
Disposable Razors |
Shaving Cream |
Underarmour Heat Gear T-Shirts |
Underarmour Bras |
Underarmour/Cool Max Non-Cotton Socks |
Flip Flops/Shower Shoes |
Cleaning Supplies |
The most requested food and snack items are:
Cold Drink Mixes (pre-sweetened) |
Sugar Substitutes & Sweetners |
Flavored Instant Coffee & Herbal Teas |
Spiced Apple Cider Mix |
Real Coffee |
Fruits and Puddings |
Dried Fruits |
Fruit Roll-Ups |
Cereal - Large or Small Boxes |
Trail Mix |
Granola Bars |
Pop Tarts |
Power Bars |
Tuna or Chicken in cans or foil packs |
Beef or Turkey Jerky |
Slim Jim |
Cold Drink Mixes (pre-sweetened) |
Beef or Turkey Vienna Sausages |
Spicy Snacks |
Instant Soup (mixed with water) |
Chips |
Salsa & Canned Dips |
Cheese Spreads |
Nuts |
Flavored Crackers |
Prepackaged Foods of Any Type |
A few other highly requested items and/or nice things to include in care packages are disposable cameras, batteries (AA and AAA especially), international phone cards, panty liners, laundry detergent in individual packs, fabric freshening spray, clothes pins and a clothesline, fly swatters, rodent traps, fly paper, letters of support, pens, stationary, greeting cards, journals, puzzle books, small sports equipment, travel size games, freezer weight zip baggies, Bounce dryer sheets, insect repellent (look for the type that helps with sand flies), cigars, Brita sports bottles with extra filters, small picture frames (especially magnetic ones) and flash lights.
For more information on this very important project, please send email to clerkmaybaskets@aol.com. As always, our deepest gratitude to our military families.
