Geri Willis of Operation CNMI Homefront Support urges the community to show their support for the local troops abroad by purchasing one or more of the following items: snacks such as rice crackers, dry mango, chicharon (fried pork rinds), asparagus biscuits and binbin crackers; canned goods such as Vienna sausage, Diamond tuna, Ox & Palm corned beef and Spam; and other food items such as bowl noodle soup, Sapporo Ichiban Soba and Doni.
To donate items for the care packages, look for the banners displayed at local stores such as Joeten Superstore, Triple J Super Fresh Market, and Fleming’s Store on Tinian.
Willis said these items have been pre-selected by the servicemembers and will be mailed to them.
The community can also send letters, cards and personal hygiene items.
Tomorrow, the Senate is expected to hand its donations.
Willis earlier stated that it does not matter where the servicemembers are deployed — receiving care packages from home especially during the holidays will show that their sacrifices are appreciated.
In the past two years, the organization has sent out over 500 care packages containing a variety of items from home —issues of local publications, coconut chips from Noriyasu Horiguchi, cookies from Herman’s Bakery and Joeten Hafa Adai Bakery, stamped holiday letters and handmade cards from the Friday Morning Stampers, dental care products from SDA Clinic, and hand knitted caps from a local knitting club.
Letters and drawings from children were also included in the packages. The Bank of Saipan and other generous donors pooled their resources to pay for postage of the care packages.
Items purchased at other stores may also be donated provided that the items are not liquid or glass. If you cannot come to the drop-off areas, call Operation Homefront at 788-4663 for pick-up arrangements.
Willis is also urging families and relatives to provide names and addresses of deployed military personnel so they can receive care packages. Text or call 788-4663 (HOME) or email [email protected]
