Meet Local Families, Donate to Troops

This Sunday, local families have a chance to meet and celebrate the holidays while also doing something special for troops overseas.

Macaroni Kid of Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln, a local group that keeps parents informed about kid-friendly events in the area, is hosting a holiday mixer in conjunction with Adopt-a-Pillowcase for a Soldier.

The event, which takes place at 2 p.m. Dec. 11 at on Pleasant Grove Boulevard, will include crafts for kids and families will be putting care packages together for troops overseas.

Adopt-a-Pillowcase for a Soldier is a local group that sends care packages to soldiers overseas. If you can’t attend the holiday mixer, but still want to make a donation, donations can be sent to 990 Reserve Drive, Suite 100, Roseville, CA 95678; Attention Birdie Galbraith.

Macaroni Kid Adopt-a-Pillowcase for a Soldier event:
When: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11
Where: Round Table Pizza, 1020 Pleasant Grove Blvd. in Roseville
Cost: Free

Families are encouraged to bring donations – either items or monetary. Here’s a list of suggested items that are always needed:

• Coffee – single packs
• Sugar & Creamer Packets
• Fruit Snacks
• Breakfast/Granola Bars
• Single serve cereal boxes
• Powdered Drink Mix – Gatorade, Koolaid, Crystal Light, Propel, etc
• Boxed cookies (soft packages don’t fare too well in shipping)
• Candy (chocolate not recommended. It melts in the desert heat)
• Trail Mix
• Jiffy Pop Popcorn (no microwavable popcorn)
• Powdered Hot Chocolate
• Beef Jerky/Slim Jims
• Gum and Mints
• Power Bars
• Single-serve Instant Oatmeal
• Spices (salt, pepper, various seasonings)
• Kraft Easy Mac
• Dried Fruit
• Tea Bags
• Rice Crispy Treats
• Hand/Baby Wipes
• Sunflower Seeds (Winco sells bulk)
• Little Debbie’s & Hostess Snacks
• Vitamins
• Peanuts
• Sugar & Creamer Packets
• Condiments in single-serve squeeze packs
• Peanut Butter & Jelly (plastic jars ONLY)
• Quart-sized Ziplock Baggies (to help keep opened items fresh)
• Hand Sanitizer
• Wet Wipes
• Travel Packs of Toilet Paper
• Kleenex Tissue (individual packs or travel size)
• Chaptstick
• Various Toiletry Items
• Small Travel Sized Games (Dollar Store has a great selection)
• Travel-Sized Board Games
• Yo-Yo
• Slinky
• Hacky Sack
• Paperback Books (no religious materials)
• Magazines
• Lotion
• Razors
• Shaving Cream (non aerosol)
• Soap
• Socks
• Sun Block
• Foot Powder
• Eye Drops
• Puzzles
• Frisbee
• Crossword Puzzle or Word Search Books
• Playing Cards
• Dice
• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Dominoes
• Writing Pen
• Note Pads/Stationary
• Dental Floss
• Single-Dispense Packets of Advil, Tylenol, Cold/Cough Drops, Antacids, etc.
• Neosporin
• Q-Tips
• Toothpicks
• Comb/Brush
• Fingernail Clippers
• Water Pistol
• Stress Ball
• Funds to cover the cost of shipping these care packages are also needed and appreciated.