Suffolk News-Herald

Want to do your part to support our troops overseas, especially now that they’ll stay longer than expected?

Evelyne Graham does and she’s heading &uot;Operation Shoe Box,&uot; which is a project that she formed to send toiletries to servicemen serving in Iraq.

Included in each box should be toothpaste, a toothbrush, bars of soap, a washcloth, shaving cream, razors, deodorant, comb, hand lotion, talcum powder and after-shave lotion. However, Graham said the talcum powder, hand and aftershave lotion can be optional. The contents should not cost more than $10. Shoeboxes should of course be tightly secured to keep everything in place for handling.

&uot;I have arranged for a tractor-trailer truck to be at the fire station at 400 Market St. today and it will remain there to receive boxes until about Aug. 15,&uot; she said. &uot;I would like for each family in Suffolk to send at least one box and would also like for at least 1,000 shoeboxes to be on the truck when it leaves to go to Iraq. The Air Force and USO will help us get these items to the troops.&uot;

Graham said that members at her church, Bethlehem Christian on Holland Road, will also join in her effort, and she hopes other churches and organizations will follow.

&uot;People can also include a letter of hope and encouragement in the box. If you include your name and address they may send you an answer to your letter,&uot; she said.

Graham welcomes any questions or concerns that people may have because she wants this effort to successful. You may reach her at 539-5614.