On Thursday, Sept. 15, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) will launch its second annual statewide holiday campaign, “SECU Supports the Troops,” to benefit North Carolina’s National Guard and Reservists deployed throughout the world.
For the project, SECU will collect wish list items for soldiers and provide gifts from home during their tour of duty. Collection boxes for wish list items will be placed in each of SECU’s branches for members and those in the community who wish to participate in this exciting effort. Canisters will also be provided on the teller counters for those who wish to give a monetary donation to help ship the supplies to the troops.
SECU is also notifying local state agencies of the project and have included a copy of the wish list to distribute to fellow employees or place in a break room.
Wish list items may be dropped off at your local SECU branch through Oct. 31. Organizers would love to be able to include letters of thanks from students. This was very popular with the troops last year.
The philosophy of SECU is “People Helping People” and the “SECU Supports the Troops” project embodies this cooperative spirit.
All donations should be new and must be able to fit in a 10-by-10-by-5-inch box.
They need travel size products only to maximize the number of items to be included.
Please note: No items in pressurized (aerosol) cans or glass containers.
Food
Snacks (individual packages of crackers, cookies, trail mix, protein bars, dried fruit, nuts, beef jerky, hard candy (no chocolate that can melt), powdered drink mixes (small, individually sealed packages).
Toiletries
Shampoo, deodorant, bar soap, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes (individual packages), dental floss, disposable razors (small packs), moist towelettes, sunscreen (SPF 50), insect repellent wipes with Deet.
Medicine/first aid
Adhesive bandages, antacids (small packages), Tylenol/Advil/Aleve (small bottles/packages).
Clothing
Socks: above the ankle/crew (white or black), toboggans.
Entertainment/miscellaneous
Decks of cards, travel games (small handheld size only), puzzle books (small handheld size only), post card size stationery/pens/pencils (no full-size notebooks or paper).
Bring all donations to a local SECU branch by Oct. 31.