CLEARWATER BEACH - We live in the home of the free, because of the brave. To show our appreciation for our military, we are happy to announce that the Clearwater Gazette and Beach Views office located in the Clearwater Beach Marina building at 25 Causeway Blvd is open from 9 am - 4pm to accept items for donation for the Support Our Troops project being conducted by the Indian Shores Women's Club.
Additionally, we hope our readers will join in a show of support for the project by attending this month's "First Fridays" wine and cheese party hosted by the Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa, 25 Belleview Blvd, Belleair, October 6, from 5-7 pm. Cash donations from the gathering this month will be accepted for the Support Our Troops shipping fund.
Last year, the Indian Shores Women’s Club furthered the work of Evelyn Bartoszek, who initiated the project. The ladies perpetually ship boxes of hygiene products, snacks and other necessities that are most times hard-to-find, to our men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Items from the following list are boxed and mailed to various military sources. In addition to the material goods, monetary donations are needed to offset shipping costs. Monetary donations may be sent to: Indian Shores Women's Club, 19305 Gulf Blvd, Indian Shores, FL, 33785.
To date, over 500 boxes have been sent. Says Marlene Claussen, Indian Shores town Commissioner and Woman's Club president, " Our goal is to keep the source of supply continuous until our troops can return to the U.S. We need everyone's help to provide this source." Many military personnel who have received the donations have written the women's club to express their heartfelt appreciation, especially female enlisted who are grateful for women's products. "Most items on the list can be purchased for a buck at the dollar stores," offers Claussen.
Other drop off locations include the following town and city halls: Indian Shores; Belleair Beach; Indian Rocks Beach; Redington Shores; Madeira Beach; Treasure Island; and St Pete Beach. Call ahead to learn their hours of operation.
The Indian Shores Women's Club encourages other organizations, neighborhoods, condo associations, and clubs to rally their members to hold a joint collection. Phone 596-3401 if you or your group need the Women's Club to pick up items for the collection.
FOOD GOODS: jerky, gummy bears, licorice, nuts, powdered lemonade or Gatorade, sandwich kits, packaged candy (not chocolate), lifesavers, gum, packaged cookies, cheese n crackers, pudding packs, lunch size snacks, granola bars, Pringles, Dorritos, salsa in plastic containers, granola mixes, hot cocoa packets, coffee or tea bags, ramen noodles, packets of condiments.
TOILETRIES: toothpaste, tooth brushes, sunscreen, moist wipes, hand sanitizer, hairspray, lotion, deodorant, shaving lotion, soap, shampoo, chapstick, mouthwash (travel size), eye drops, Q-tips, Kleenex, razors, travel size toilet paper, feminine hygiene items, foot powder, cough drops, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Advil.
MISCELLANEOUS: bandanas (khaki or camo), socks, pens, stationary, post cards, phone cards (international), disposable cameras, CDs, batteries (AA and AAA), hand-held battery-operated fans.