Patriotic Days being held at Niece Lumber

By: Linda Seida
   LAMBERTVILLE — Employees and staff of Niece Lumber on North Union Street are doing their part to support America’s men and women in uniform, some of whom are former employees or family and friends of employees.
   As a visual reminder of this support, they have begun holding what they’ve termed Patriotic Wednesday, said Sue Testa, a manager at Niece.
   This week marks the third consecutive week when employees and staff have worn items of red, white and blue on Wednesdays. They’re hoping other merchants and residents also will adopt Patriotic Wednesday and make the city a virtual walking flag midweek to show support for America’s fighting troops.
   In addition, Niece Lumber has set up a collection bin inside the main store where donations of items needed by members of the military can be dropped off. So far, about nine shoebox-sized packages have been shipped to troops from Niece Lumber, Ms. Testa said. Niece Lumber is also in the process of adopting a platoon, a process under way through http://www.adoptaplatoon.org.
   Among the suggested items for donation are wet napkins or baby wipes, shampoo, sunscreen, toothbrushes, dental floss, dark sunglasses, eye drops, hand lotion, sewing kits, Chapstick and lip balm, disposable razors, deodorant, saline nasal spray, waterless hand sanitizer, heavy duty tissues, nail clippers, toilet paper, hairbrushes, combs and individual packets of Motrin and Tylenol.
   Also suggested are crossword puzzles, paperback books, decks of playing cards, writing paper and envelopes, disposable cameras, batteries (A, AA and D), cassette tapes and CDs, videos, magazines, local papers and travel games, such as checkers, chess, etc. Among the food items that would be welcome are hard candy that is heat resistant; small boxes of cereal; packets of tea; instant coffee, oatmeal and hot chocolate; cups of instant noodles; sunflower seeds and beef jerky.