QUINCY, ILL. -- Tri-State Troop Support (TSTS) is a partnership of patriotic volunteers, businesses and organizations engaging the region to support our troops.
The group is dedicated to supporting the United States Armed Forces by collecting care package items to be sent overseas to deployed service men and women.
This cause hits close to home for volunteers like William Spear. Spear's brother Nick is a pilot in the Air Force stationed in the Middle East. Like many local soldiers, he enjoys the gifts and care packages from home, especially iced coffee mixes like this from Starbucks he can make for himself during his missions.
Spear said, "It gets him through those long missions."
As you can imagine treats like sweets, beef jerky and toiletries are hard to get in the Middle East.
Spear said, "Some of the items are something they need...more often than not they're a treat, something that they can't get when they're serving overseas. Something that brightens their day."
Personal hygiene items are also appreciated.
Spear said, "When its a 125 or 135 degrees out their skin dries out, the hand lotion helps with that, chap stick is needed for dry lips. Those are things that are nice to have."
But unfortunately, many soldiers don't get these extras from home. That's what spurred on the Tri-State Troop Support Collection drive. It's started a couple of years ago with the Quincy Tea Party at one drop off location. Now volunteers like William Spear are taking the collection drive community-wide, hoping to collect enough supplies to fill a semi truck. Starbucks in Quincy is one of the main drop-off locations throughout the month of September.
Starbucks Manager Ellen Mickels said, "It's a matter of supporting those who are supporting us."
Spear said, "Many people have a family member serving over seas or know someone who has a family member overseas. This is a tangible way to give them something and show them that people care."
Items will be collected at participating businesses and organizations throughout the month of September. The list includes County Market's locations in Quincy, Starbucks Coffee, Kohl's Cash and Carry Showroom, Daylight Donuts & Sam's Club. Click here for the full schedule.
TSTS states in a release, "This is our attempt to engage the community in support of the active duty military personnel who are making sacrifices each and every day on our behalf. Most people know someone serving in the military or someone who has a son, daughter, brother, sister, husband or wife serving our country. While serving overseas, these soldiers have limited access the comforts we take for granted in our daily lives."
The collection drive is to show support for the troops by sending them a little bit of "home."
The "shopping" list consists of non-perishable food and hygiene items. It's as simple as providing beef jerky or fruit snacks to show these brave soldiers that people who don't even know them care about them.
ITEMS NEEDED
Donated items must have a shelf life beyond January 2012
Beef Jerky/Slim Jims
Coffee (Instant or Ground)
Cookies/Crackers (individual packs)
Fruit Snacks
Granola/Energy Bars
Nuts (cans or individual packs)
Powdered Drink Mixes
Ramen Noodles
Sunflower Seeds
Tea
Trail Mix
Aspirin/Tylenol
Batteries (AA, AAA, D)
Body Wash (small—no pumps)
Dental Floss
Deodorant
Finger Nail Clippers
Hand/Body Lotion (small—no pumps)
Hand Sanitizer (small—no pumps)
Mouthwash (small bottles)
Q tips Razors (disposable)
Shampoo (small bottles)
Shaving Cream
Socks (black or white crew length)
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Wet wipes
Individuals and businesses interested in getting involved with Tri-State Troop Support can contact Will Spear at 217-222-4907.
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