1LT Scott Travis, friend of 2LT Michael Mehringer (Michael’s mother is Terry Mehringer, faculty member at Archmere), is stationed in Iraq and has become involved with helping the children in the area. They are without many necessities. We ask that you donate only from the items listed below, since some items are not permitted into the country. Also, if you would like to send items to the soldiers stationed with Scott, the items they need are listed as well as the items they cannot receive. Simply bring your donations with you on the 13th and they will be delivered to a local base, which will later be shipped to Iraq. Feel free to include a note with your donation, as the soldiers enjoy writing back.

Donations for the children: all kinds of school supplies, drawing tablets, paint, scissors that cut in fancy patterns, clay, play dough, paints, markers, paper punches, small fleece blankets, new stuffed animals, soccer balls, building blocks, cars and trucks, chalk, bubbles, new and clean clothing (they all wear western clothes) and new underclothing (ages 9-16 years), candy and snacks.

Toys that CANNOT be sent: no water pistols, no Barbies, no G.I. Joes, no action figures and no coloring books.

What the soldiers need: Nuts, sunflowers, trail mix, dried fruit, little individual cans of fruit and pudding, Fruit Roll-Ups, Granola Bars, Power Bars, gum, all kinds of candy (unfortunately, no chocolate due to the terrible heat), M&M’s are okay, Star Bursts, Sweet Tarts, (no Skittles – they get them already), Gatorade powder (blue flavors), Tang, single coffee bags, flavored teas (Country Time Peach and Raspberry Iced Tea), empty plastic containers so they can mix their drinks, any kind of cookies, individual snack cakes, chips, Pringles, Doritos Scoops, pretzels, salsa, pop corn, Cracker Jacks, Tostitos, cheese and crackers, individual peanut butter and crackers, Ramen soup, cup of noodles, any instant-type food, individual cans of tuna, chicken or turkey, beef and turkey jerky (no pork products), small size cereals, instant cereals, instant grits, instant oatmeal, vitamins C and E, Zinc, cough drops and throat lozenges.

Games for the soldiers: dominos, cards, crossword puzzles, Velcro darts, board games, Nerf footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, whiffle ball and bat, soccer balls, hand pump for balls, patches to repair balls, electronic games and batteries, any reading material (no sexually graphic items), music CD’s and video tapes of current TV shows (in case one of their tents has a TV).

Miscellaneous: Freezer ZIPLOC plastic bags (all sizes especially large sizes to keep out the sand), AA batteries (AAA and D), disposable cameras, Stick-ups air fresheners, Febreeze, pens, paper, unused greeting cards that the troops can send back to their families, fly swatters, mouse traps, battery operated fans and vacuums.

Things that CANNOT be sent: No flammable items, no alcohol, no pork, no Sports Illustrated Bathing Suit issue, no bibles or religious articles and no fresh fruit or plants.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS AND PRAYS!!