11 days ago
As the holiday season approaches, many people begin to think about holiday shopping and spending time with loved ones.
But some people won't be able to celebrate with their family and friends, like members of the 48th Brigade, who are about half way through their mission in Afghanistan.
You can send a piece of home to the troops when they need it most, by donating to the "Operation Uplift" supply drive.
Items that can be donated and shipped include: white socks, men's flip flops, bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, deodorant, baby wipes, Q-tips, shaving accessories, hard candy, gum, beef jerky, Slim Jims, mixed nuts, extension cords, phone cards and batteries (AA preferred).
Those are the only items that will be shipped through "Operation Uplift."
Drop boxes are located at:
Middle Georgia Realty- 78 N. Lee Street in Forsyth
1st Franklin Financial- 109-D Patrol Road in Forsyth
Walker Chiropractic- 255 Tift College Drive in Forsyth
Bass Pro Shop- 5000 Bass Pro Boulevard in Macon
American Red Cross/Volunteer Macon Office- 195 Holt Avenue in Macon
Staff Sergeant Leon Peters knows what it is like to be deployed during the holiday season.
Now a part of the 48th Brigade's Rear Detachment in Macon, Peters focuses his time on making sure the troops overseas have everything they need, and preparing for their return home.
Peters says, "it is a great morale booster to get something from home, a little piece of home helps you build your morale a lot. You've got your guys over there that you can depend on day in and day out but to get something from someone in your actual family or even someone you don't even know, it just makes you feel a little better about what you're doing over there."
He says holidays are the hardest time of year to be away from home.
Peters says, "holidays are the worst time of year for everybody, here in the states it is bad but over there it is 10 times worse."
That is why he says sending over the little things can make a big difference.
Peters says, "It is just the simple things. For me it was foot powder and baby wipes, for somebody else it might be hard candy. It can be the smallest thing in the world, a little game can go a long way. Over there we used to have a saying, small things amuse small minds, and the smallest things in the world keep us occupied for hours."
At Bass Pro Shop, one of the supply collection sites, Santa arrived November 8 to start spreading the Christmas cheer.
Bass Pro employees say they know the soldiers deserve a holiday treat as well.
Jed Miller says, "our troops need a lot of things, they miss home, they only get certain foods and other items while they are there."
Miller says many of the supplies can be found right at Bass Pro.
48th Sergeant Diane Bell says it is not what is inside a care package that matters, but knowing that even complete strangers support your efforts.
She says, "to me, it helps the soldiers who don't have children or family members that they are close to, that they are over there for a reason and that somebody appreciates them."
Staff Sgt. Leon Peters says there are luxuries that don't reach Afghanistan, so it is comforting to receive any reminder of home, especially during the holidays.
If you'd like to send your own care package overseas, look for the military flat rate box with a heart on it at the post office.
The box is free and you can fill it with up to 70 pounds of stuff for just $11.95.
But get to the post office before Thanksgiving if you want the care package to arrive by Christmas.
