MARLBORO — A second donation drive for quality of life items for the U.S. troops from Marlboro serving the country during Operation Iraqi Freedom is under way in the township.
According to a press release from the Office of Public Information, Project SOS (Support Our Soldiers) was created in an effort to boost the morale the soldiers from the township with comforts from home and to remind them that they are not forgotten while they are away from their homes, families, and their community.
Marlboro resident Andrea Mesh is spearheading Project SOS. Mesh maintains close contact not only with the families of the soldiers who are serving in Iraq, but also with the troops themselves.
Through e-mails and letters, the troops have expressed their appreciation for the quality of life items donated by the community, according to the press release.
Specific requests from the soldiers include food items such as macaroni and cheese, pasta dishes, noodles in sauce and Rice-A-Roni.
High on the list are powdered packets of Gatorade, lemonade, iced tea and Kool-Aid.
In addition, Odor-Eaters, wet wipes (alcohol-free), disposable razors, shaving cream (no gels), toothpaste, shower soap, videotapes, DVDs, CDs, cassettes and batteries of all sizes would be appreciated. Letters of encouragement to a service member are welcome, but must be received in an unsealed envelope.
New, unused baby clothes and items are being requested as donations for the drive. According to the press release, Mesh learned that one of the Marlboro troops had been serving with a soldier who was recently killed.
She will be sending the baby items to the base in Georgia where the pregnant widow of the fallen soldier, and other wives who are expecting or who have infants, will benefit from the generosity of the residents of Marlboro and the surrounding communities.
Project SOS is in effect now through July 7.
Drop-off boxes are at Marlboro Township Police Headquarters, 1979 Township Drive (off Wyncrest Road), (732) 536-0100; and at the Marlboro Recreation Community Center, 1996 Recreation Way (off Wyncrest Road), (732) 617-0100.
The recreation center will be closed July 4-6.
For further information, contact the Office of Public Information at (732) 536-0200, Ext. 202.