Very few would disagree that the United States of America is the greatest country in the world. People who help keep our country safe are soldiers in the armed services.

Elaine Chillson, one of Winkelman’s Town Council Members, has a grandson in the military who is stationed in Afghanistan. She said her grandson looks forward to the care packages she sends and has asked her for certain items in order to share with the other soldiers.

“It is the little incidentals that we take for granted that the soldiers crave, like gum.” she said.

It would be a great idea if Winkelman and Copper Basin residents could send items

We will have a donation box at the Winkelman Town Hall. Elaine has access to reduced postage and packaging, so we can gather the items and have her mail them to Afghanistan.

These are the acceptable donation items:

●Gum

●Hard candy

●Tootsie Rolls

●Oreos

●Jerky

●Doritos

●Cheetos, no potato chips

●Bean dip

●Stick deodorant

●Men’s body wash

●Paperback books

●Magazines, such as hunting, sports, cars, motorcycles, Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, etc. (but nothing sexy)

●Toothpaste

●Toothbrushes

●Razors

No pork products or baked goods can be sent. Baked goods become stale because it takes three weeks for packages to arrive.

Remember, women are also in the armed services and would like to receive something, too. Any books or magazines that target women would be great.

We will be accepting items at the Winkelman Town Hall until the end of Feb. 2013. Thank you for your generosity.