Martial arts studio stumping for troops

Support Our Soldiers, a local effort to provide gifts for American troops in Iraq at Christmas, wants you.

Organizer Brandi Gibson is looking for donations of comfort items, everything from dental floss and shaving cream to tea bags and comic books.

Soldiers now have basics like housing and Internet access in Iraq, but they need comfort items, including letters of support and home-made cards and pictures, she said.

"They need things to remind them of home," Gibson said.

"This is important," she said. "We live our lives as if nothing's going on. We can't see the war here. It's easy to forget the sacrifice these guys are making, and what their families are going through."

Soldiers enjoy newspapers and other literature that will help them catch up on news in the United States. Mad Magazine, pocket-sized books, disposable cameras, cookies, playing cards, batteries and earphones will all be appreciated, Gibson said.

Items can be dropped off at Minden Elementary School at 1170 Baler St., Gardnerville Elementary School at 111 Toler Lane, Northwest Martial Arts, 1321 Highway 395 or The Record-Courier, 1503 Highway 395 in Gardnerville.

Belle's Boutique, 1644 Highway 395 in Minden, is also accepting these donations.

Packages must be mailed by Dec. 4 and the deadline for dropping items off is Dec. 2, Gibson said.

Northwest Martial Arts is funding this effort. For more information, call Gibson at 782-8858.

n Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.

BREAKOUT:

Other suggested items, for troops serving in Iraq:

Beef Jerky, pretzels, rice krispie treats, trail mix, soap, lip balm, baby lotion, deodorant, nail clippers, feminine products, shaving cream, dryer sheets, writing paper, comic books, pocket-sized books, padded mailing envelopes, squirt guns, slinkies, stress balls, pocket electronic games, handkerchiefs, zip-lock bags, instant coffee in packets, powdered hot chocolate packages, tea bags and other powdered drinks to help with hydration.