Pass Non-Profit Seeks Active-Duty Military to Receive Care Packages

A non-profit group in the San Gorgonio Pass is connecting with local military families so they can send care packages to active-duty soldiers and service personnel in November.

The Pass Area Supporting Soldiers/Service Members is also holding a donation drive for their next box mailing on Nov. 16 in Banning, said organizer Sandy Bleier.

The mailing is timed so care packages arrive at their destinations in early to mid-December, Bleier said.

This week, Bleier is distributing information about her group's efforts.

"Do you have a friend or a loved one who is currently serving in the military overseas? Let us know and we will start sending a care package to them. We are a non-profit organization who supports the troops in many ways, one by shipping boxes to them several times a year."

Anyone can contribute items for the care packages, Bleier said.

Items needed include small sizes of baby power or foot powder, and antibacterial gel, single-serving sizes of pre-sweetened drink mixes, cocoa packets, gum, hard candy, beef jerky, pop tarts, granola bars, oatmeal packets, cookies, crackers, candy, microwave popcorn, tea, coffee, AA and AAA batteries, lip balm, blank journals, crossword puzzles, Frisbees, hand-held games, movie and music CDs, new or used, playing cards, deodorant soap, wet wipes, quart-size ziplock bags, and disposable razors for men and women.

"No aerosol products, nothing chocolate, nothing in glass containers, and nothing perishable" can be accepted, Bleier said.

Donation boxes are at Banning City Hall, the Banning Chamber of Commerce and the Senior Center at the Community Center, the Farmhouse Restaurant, and at the Chatigny Community Center in Beaumont. Items can be dropped off at these locations during normal business hours, Bleier said.

Items may also be dropped off at the Norton Younglove Senior Center in Calimesa until noon on Fridays.

The last day items can be dropped off at these centers will be Friday, Nov. 12, Bleier said.

Anyone can participate in packing the care packages, from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 16 at Banning Community Center, 789 N. San Gorgonio Ave.

"Please come and join us," Bleier said.

Monetary donations can be mailed to PASS2, P.O. Box 47, Banning, CA 92220.

For more information, contact Bleier at sandybleier@verizon.net or (951) 880-7085.