A little Kool-Aid

or some Tootsie Rolls could go a long way toward boosting the morale of

Fayette County's military personnel stationed thousands of miles away

from home.

That's why

Suzanne Powell of Peachtree City has begun a campaign to provide those

creature comforts to American troops, specifically those with Fayette

ties. The donations are needed soon, particularly for packages since the

packages may be stopped once war begins, Powell said.

"Many

of the soldiers who will be receiving the packages are in classified locations

and have not received care packages or letters from any organized effort,"

Powell said.

The campaign,

dubbed "Operation WeSOT" (We Support Our Troops) needs monetary

donations in addition to various items to help pay for shipping costs.

Donations are being accepted at the Village Paint stores in Peachtree

City on Ga. Highway 54 East near Club Peachtree and in Fayetteville in

the Hudson Plaza behind McDonald's.

Powell is encouraging

local groups such as clubs, Sunday School classes, scout troops and others

to put together boxes and/or write notes, then bring them to the stores

for shipment. Boxes should be left unopened so they can be packaged according

to the guidelines set by the Red Cross. Individual, unboxed items from

groups are also welcome, but no homemade items are allowed.

Suggested items

include:

Individually

pieces of hard candy such as Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, Skittles, LifeSavers,

SweetTarts).

Chocolate

bars and candies (only during cold weather).

Microwave

popcorn, peanuts, pretzels and other snack foods.

Sweetened

drinks such as Kool-Aid, Gatorade.

Coffee, sugar,

creamer, tea bags, hot chocolate and hot cider.

Toiletry items

such as shaving cream (but not shaving gel), razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste,

shower soap, hand sanitizer/hand lotion, wet wipes, Kleenex and Q-tips.

Sunscreen,

lip balm.

Wrap-around

sunglasses.

Batteries

(assorted sizes).

Blank greeting

cards for special occasions.

Videos, DVDs,

music CDs and cassettes.

Travel-size

board games.

Playing cards,

card games.

Recent paperback

books and magazines.

Holiday decorations.

Phone cards.

Pringles potato

chips, nuts, dried fruit, cup of noodles.

For more information,

visit www.operationwesot.org.

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