Drive for Medford Soldier's Division in Afghanistan at Shaw's this Weekend

The family of an Army lieutenant from Medford and Shaw's supermarket on Locust Street are partnering in a drive to collect goods for his unit this weekend.

Lt. Michael Durham, 25,  of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division is currently serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan. His family -- Mother, Sandra; Sisters, Jennifer Jessica and Jaqueline; brother Jimmy and father Dennis, who is a Medford Police lieutenant -- have spearheaded efforts to raise donations for his entire unit.

At Shaw's, signs throughout the store advertise the drive, with a list of items the unit most needs. Shoppers can make their donations as they leave the store. The drive started on Friday and ends Monday.

"A lot of the guys with him, they're young kids, 18 and 19, and they don't get letters from home; they don't get care packages," Dennis Durham said.

It's just part of the efforts around Medford for the infantry, Durham said. In April, 300 pounds of goods were shipped to the 82nd. Next week Whole Foods will be helping with a drive, Durham said.