Care packages for servicemen

When Stephen Wight tried to sign back up to go fight in Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was told they would not take him for medical reasons. His wife, Bobbie-Jo, was relieved at his news of staying home, but he felt he needed to do something.

He had served in Operation Desert Storm and remembers how much getting care packages meant to him and those he served with. So on Feb. 14, he and his wife started COAT, Care of American Troops.

So far, with the help of volunteers, Veterans of Foreign War Post 4801 and local community members who have been so generous, they have shipped about 75 care packages to our troops overseas.

The names and addresses given to them by friends and families of these troops are kept confidential. Only packages with specific names and addresses will be shipped to servicemen.

If you know of a serviceman from Sublette County and have their address or if you would like to donate items or money, or would like to help in any other way, you can call Steven or Bobbie-Jo at 367-7516.

Donated items can be placed in boxes located at Falers, NAPA, Big J's, Bucky's, the Pinedale Post Office, Stanley's Junction, Sinclair, Pinedale True Value and M&N Equipment.

The group is also looking for a contact person in the Big Piney area who would be willing to help out there.

When donating items, keep in mind the smaller the container the better. Also, the receipient of the package will share stuff with his or her squadron, so it's okay to donate a number of one item, and if they don't need something from a package, they will find someone who does.

Suggested items to donate

? Baby wipes

? Toilet paper/Kleenex

? Shaving cream

? Jock itch powder

? Sunglasses (goggle-type)

? Gum, hard candy, mints

? Beef jerky

? Individually wrapped snacks

? Smaller meals in Styrofoam cups or pop-open cans (soups, ravioli etc.)

? Chips and dip

? Eye drops

? Moleskin

? Chap Stick

? Foot powder

? Pain and cold relievers

? Throat lozenges

? Nasal spray

? Q-tips

? Sun block

? Lotion

? Batteries (AA, AAA, C)

? Reading material

? Paper and envelopes

? Phone Calling Cards

Items that

cannot be sent

• Pork and pork by-products

• Fruit

• Nudity (including things like magazines that may have pictures with girls in a bikini, etc)

• Alcohol (read ingredients)

• Aerosol products