The Landrum Area Business Association, in cooperation with the Blue Star Mothers of America Inc., is encouraging the collection of a variety of personal-sized items and letters or cards to show support for our country’s troops.

The Blue Star Mothers organization was formed during World War II to assist mothers who had sons or daughters in active war service.

All donations can be dropped off at these two Landrum locations through Sept. 6:
• State Farm Insurance, 114 E Rutherford St.
• Carolina Antiques & More, 108 E Rutherford St.

Shoeboxes are available for those who would like to fill a box and add a note inside thanking service members for their dedication to our country and offering encouraging comments and prayers for them and their families.

Businesses, church groups or customers are urged to pack a shoebox and provide cards for this patriotic outreach project.

Monetary donations to cover shipping costs are also accepted. Checks can be made to BSM-Spartanburg Chapter 124 and sent to President Brenda Roberts, 1790 Highway 417, Woodruff, SC 29388.

Listed below are requested items for our troops; personal-sized items are necessary due to shipping carton size limitations.

Snack items
• Individual serving size snack foods: pretzels, peanut butter crackers, corn chips, etc
• Dried fruits, fruit roll ups, peanuts, M&M’s, sunflower seeds
• Granola bars, trail mix, power/energy bars, protein bars, nutritional bars
• Gum (Blister packs are best because of heat) lifesavers, mints, hard candy
• Small jars peanut butter, beef jerky, Slim Jim (protein is important)
• On-the-go flavor drink packs that can be added to water
• Single serving coffee

Entertainment items
• Batteries size AA
• Pre-paid military calling cards (AT&T Prepaid Global)
• Paying cards, puzzle books, handheld games, Nerf footballs
• Single use disposable/water resistant cameras
• Small blank journals, blank greeting cards

Personal care items (NO aerosol cans)
• Brushes, combs, hair clips
• Disposable razors, nail clippers
• White cotton socks, foot powder (small size only) Odor Eaters for boots
• Small plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioners, lotions
• Pain relievers (aspirin, Motrin, Aleve, Tylenol, etc)
• Blistex, sun block, chapstick
• Baby wipes, deodorant, toothpaste (small size only)

– article submitted by Ellen Henderson