With the holidays coming up it is not too early to start helping make those holidays just a little better for those who serve and protect the country.

There will be a collection for care packages for American troops on Sunday, Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Walmart, 10401 Bennett Road, Fredonia. Community members are asked to assist the sponsoring groups by donating items to send to American soldiers overseas.

Suggested donations include personal items such as baby wipes, lip balm, eye drops, baby powder, foot powder, sun screen, hand cream, shaving cream, razors, toothbrushes/paste and deodorant. Food items include: pull-top canned goods such as fruit, ravioli and soup. Pop tarts, pepperoni/beef sticks, spices, sunflower seeds, nuts, canned chips/snacks (no bags), drink mixes to go packs, tuna/chicken foil packs, granola bars, cheese and cracker packs and cereal bars are food items troops appreciate.

Other items for donation could be candy, games, puzzle books, pens, writing paper, flip flops, sun glasses, magazines, cough drops, insect repellent, batteries (AA, AAA, C and D), tennis/golf balls and decks of cards.

The event is sponsored by Tau Sigma National Honor Society, Veterans Student Club and Blue Star Mothers of America. Last year, Tau Sigma and the Veterans Student Club of SUNY Fredonia contributed items for 500 packages which are organized and sent by the Blue Star Mothers in Jamestown.

To add a service member to the care package recipient list, contact the Veteran’s Affairs Office at veteran.affairs@fredonia.edu or the Registrar’s office at leysath@fredonia.edu.