A donations drive is underway at UW-Whitewater that will give people a chance to support troops serving overseas.
A collection event will take place from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, in the James R. Connor University Center. Anyone from campus and the community may drop off items. All donations will be sent to deployed troops in Afghanistan, Kuwait and North Africa.
The Veteran and Military Service Members Committee of UW-Whitewater is partnering with the American Red Cross to conduct the drive. Currently, the drive has collected 75 boxes of donations.
"We're very excited," said committee member Giorgianne Maziarka. "We've had really great efforts and feedback around campus from different departments and areas that are participating."
Working with the Red Cross, volunteer student veterans will pick up and deliver the donations boxes as well as count and inventory the donations.
Maziarka said similar collection drives often take place around the holidays, but donations are always needed.
"It's going to be a meticulous project that day, but getting the supplies to military service members and putting smiles on their faces when they receive it will be the most rewarding aspect," Maziarka said.
Below is a list of items that are needed.
* Hygiene items should be packed separately from food and snack items.
-- Written by Alyssa Langer