Lions Wrap Up Collection For Troops Serving In Iraq

The Newtown Lions Club has concluded the collection phase of the “Care Packages” project for the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion of Danbury that is serving in Iraq.

Donations have been received from individuals, businesses, merchants, and organizations. Donations of both cash and requested items have been quite generous, according to the organization. The cash donations received will help defray a large part of the anticipated shipping costs.

The collection of items requested by the troops in Iraq should fill the boxes right to the top, according to Lion Wayland Johnson, one of the coordinators of the project.

Every member of the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion and of the Family Support Group expresses sincere appreciation for the efforts and generosity shown by every contributor, he said.

The next phase of the project centers around sorting the items and packing the boxes. Girl Scouts have volunteered to assist the 411th troops with the sorting and packing as have some members of the Newtown Lions Club. All of the sorting and packing should be completed in time for the care packages to be mailed by the end of February. The troops should receive the packages before Easter.

Every package is certain to be greatly appreciated by the troops in Iraq, Mr Johnson said.