Local Woman Gathering Supplies for Troops

One Elk Grove woman is celebrating Memorial Day by collecting gifts and supplies for soldiers stationed in Afghanistan.

Flea collars and flavored drinks top the list of needed goods posted on local online discussion board Elk Grove Laguna Forums.

The organizer, who did not give her name but said she is a police officer, was inspired to help out after receiving a note from a coworker about his son, a U.S. Marine.

"They put the flea collars around their ankles - his son's ankles and feet right now look like hamburger due to the fleas," she wrote in the chat room thread. "The water is so bad they have to flavor it."

Here is the full list of supplies being collected:

Flea collars (bigger the better)
Can soups, chili, beans, hash
Hard candy (nothing that melts)
Hawaiian punch (they like the blue one)
Flavor powder for drinks
Flea bug bombs
Cliff bars
Beef sticks
US, People type magazines
Tooth brushes, toothpaste
Cheese whiz (not sure why)
Monetary donations to help with shipping

Anyone wishing to donate can email docs@elkgrove-laguna.net to arrange for a pick-up.