The Village of Stickney is collecting comfort items for deployed U.S. service members through November 11, continuing a tradition that began more than 15 years ago.
Donation bins sit in the lobby of village hall, 6533 W. Pershing Road. The collected items go to Operation Support Our Troops America, a national organization founded in 2003 that ships care packages to troops in active duty zones.
Trustee Brian Klouda, who has organized the drive for the last two years, said last year’s collection totaled 475 pounds.
“With what’s going on over in Iran, our troops need a lot of things,” Klouda said. “We are giving it our best to collect even more than last year.”
The drive began in 2009 when then-Trustee Jeff Walik, who later became mayor, started it. Current Mayor Mitch Milenkovic took over organizing in 2015 as a trustee before Klouda assumed the role.
OSOT America packages donations in 20- to 25-pound shipments and has distributed more than 2.3 million pounds of items since its founding.
What the village needs:
Protein bars, granola bars, rice krispie treats, 16-ounce jars of peanut butter, and peanut butter and jelly packets. Unscented wet wipes, body wash, face wash, shampoo, deodorant, hair detangler, foot powder, and hand sanitizer. Portable puzzles, games, and magazines. AA and AAA batteries.
The village does not accept cash or check donations. Pickup is available upon request.
For information on OSOT America or to add a deployed service member to its mailing list, visit osotamerica.org. To contact Klouda, email bklouda@villageofstickney.com.