The Cypress College Veterans Affairs Department is requesting that students create and donate care packages for U.S. soldiers serving overseas.
There are signs posted all around campus requesting help for the troops. Items suggested include both necessities and things to provide comfort. The list is as follows: granola, protein, and/or cereal bars; fruit snacks (such as Nabisco 100% Fruit Snacks); beef jerky; hard candies; toiletries like deodorant, lotion, and body wash; entertainment items (e.g., playing cards or DVDs); Chef Boyardee; Campbell's Chunky soup; canned tuna; ramen noodles; Pop-Tarts; canned fruit; pudding snack packs; chewing gum; Crystal Light or Gatorade drink mix; Chapstick; pepperoni or sausage stick; peanuts; sunflower seeds; cookies; plastic utensils; paperback novels; pads of paper; envelopes; pens; boot insoles; black or white socks; a toothbrush; small bottles of shampoo and tubes of toothpaste; three Shave-Mate razors with shaving cream in handle; five single-dose Bayer aspirin packages; and a single-use camera.
People who would like to help but cannot give much are likely to wonder just what our servicemen need most. That depends on who you ask. Rhonda (no last name was provided), who works at the information booth in Admissions & Records, said the most important thing is:
"Socks…according to people who have friends and relatives there."
Mando Ayala served from 2005-07, including two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, achieving the rank of E-5 in the Army and now works for the campus V.A. Dept.. He believes what would be most appreciated is:
"Either…beef jerky snacks or entertainment. I always carried beef jerky with me on missions because it was quick and easy and it fills you up."
The request for goods could raise concerns that soldiers are not being provided with everything they want or require, but Mr. Ayala believes this is not the case as he said:
"They're getting a good amount of what they need."
Still, it never hurts to send whatever you can. Regardless of your opinion of the conflict in the Middle East and American involvement in it, we should all show our support for these brave young men and women who are literally risking life and limb for something they believe in.
Those interested in making donations should visit Veterans Affairs which is located on the first floor of the Student Center, between the Information and Photo ID booths. Contributions will be accepted Mondays-Thursdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
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