Batavia Cares for Troops This Holiday Season

Sending a little joy and caring to U.S. deployed troops has brought together three organizations: the Marching Bulldogs, Marmion Cadets and Batavia Cares.

"The U.S. remains at war," says Ralph Gebes in a press release. "Volunteers such as Capt. Jeremy Dugena of Batavia serve with the Illinois National Guard in Task Force White Eagle in Afghanistan. These brave men and women put themselves in harm’s way for freedom. To send packages to these troops becomes a small token of our appreciation."

The Marching Bulldogs will collect and pack comfort packages for the men and women of Illinois National Guard. Packages will also go to military members registered on the Batavia Cares web site. Any friend or family member is welcome to submit the name and address of a deployed military.

The Cadets of Marmion Academy adopted the Pat Tillman USO in Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, who requested holiday decorations and snacks for the holidays. The Cadets will gather the items and send them to the USO for the holidays. Home-baked cookies are especially desired.

As in previous years the USO remains a vital part of the morale of the troops serving in Afghanistan. They provide a place for relaxation, recreation, and supply hygiene as well as snack items. Donations can be dropped off at Marmion Academy 1000 Butterfield Road, Aurora. For more information contact Major Mark Emerson, 630-896-1398.

Batavia Cares coordinates the packing and shipping of this Christmas shipment. However, donations are needed to ship the packages. In past years, Batavia Cares was able to collect items at Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, Wal-Mart corporate headquarters discontinued the policy of allowing non-profit organizations to collect items for shipment.

"Consequently, items are needed from you," Gebes said. "Batavia Cares asks you not to forget our deployed troops. Buying one item when you shop will go a long way to make shipments a successful."

ACE Hardware and Berkely Finer Foods are Batavia’s collection centers. Besides everyday personal hygiene items, morale boosters such as drink mixes, snacks, coffee, cookies, hard candy, magazines, music CDs and DVDs are appreciated.

Cash donations also are needed for postage. Donations can be sent to Marmion Academy, 1000 Butterfield Road, Aurora, IL 60502 or Batavia Cares, 318 Church St., Batavia, IL 60510. Standard boxes cost $13.30 per box. Some bulk items are shipped parcel post and cost around $25. The postage goal for this year is $5,000.

Register Deployed Troops

Batavia Cares wants and needs addresses for our home troops. Friends and relatives are encouraged to register them on our web site: www.bataviacares.org or you can send their address to Batavia Cares, 324 Church St., Batavia, IL 60510.For more information go to www.bataviacares.org, phone at 630-687-1943.