Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Show You Care

John McCain is using campaign resources to help pull together care packages for American troops serving overseas.

And no matter how you feel about John McCain, and no matter how you feel about the War in Iraq, this is a good and decent idea.

And while the McCain family doesn't talk about it all that much, two of the care packages might end up going to a McCain family member serving in Iraq.

From the campaign release:

MANCHESTER, NH -- U.S. Senator John McCain's campaign announced today it will help non-profit organizations to collect care packages for troops overseas at all New Hampshire stops on the upcoming "No Surrender" Tour. Members of the public wishing to participate should pack a shoebox or similarly sized box of items that will be useful to the men and women of the Armed Forces and bring it with them to their local "No Surrender" event. A list of recommended items is provided below.

At the conclusion of the "No Surrender" Tour, all collected packages will be sent by non-profit organizations to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

SNACKS, FOODS AND TREATS

Small packages of nuts, seeds, pretzels, cookies, chips, Cracker Jacks, crackers, Corn Nuts, fruit snacks and fruit leather, Gardettos

Trail Mix, energy bars, protein bars, breakfast and granola bars, nut bars, instant oatmeal, Kraft Easy Mac, ramen, Cup a Noodles

Individually wrapped hard candy (Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, Skittles, lollipops, Life Savers, Sweet Tarts, etc), chewing and bubble gum, mints, breath strips (no chocolate or homemade items)

Powdered, sweetened drink mixes (Gatorade, Crystal Light, Kool-Aid), ground or instant coffee, tea bags, hot chocolate, cider mix, sugar, sweetener, Coffee Mate, and condiment packets

Canned meats (no pork), stews, chili, ravioli, soups, fruit, beef jerky, non-refrigerated microwavable meals

PERSONAL, HYGIENE AND TOILETRIES

Hotel/travel sized gel deodorant, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste and mouthwash, toothbrushes, dental floss and Brush Ups

Disposable razors, eye drops, nose drops, unscented baby wipes, wet wipes, small hand sanitizer, Mach III Turbo Razor Blades

Small Kleenex packets, Q-Tips, anti-fungal creams, band aids, foot powder, sunscreen

DVDs, AAA and AA batteries, pens, pencils, blank greeting cards and stationary, stickers, disposable cameras, AT&T phone cards

Handwritten cards and letters of encouragement for our troops