If you've ever had to be away from your family around the holidays, you know how lonely it can be.  Now imagine that you're thousands of miles away from your family in a combat zone fighting for your country and missing so many of the comforts of home.

There are still local troops from right here in the the Southern Tier serving in Afghanistan.  Every single day they put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and I think the least we can do to show our love and support for them this Christmas is to make sure they have they have at least a few small comforts of home.

BCC's Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Department will be collecting items to distribute to local service members stations overseas in combat zones.  If you'd like to help, here are the items that are needed:

  • AA batteries
  • Pre-paid phone cards
  • Baby wipes
  • Beef jerky
  • Trail Mix

These items might seem like nothing to you and to me, but to our local troops overseas, these can literally help their living condition and boost their morale.  All items will be picked up on December 10th so they can reach military service members in time for the holidays.

For more information on how you can help, please call Wes Warren.  Wes is the Chair of Criminal Justice/Homeland Security/Fire Protection and his number is 607-778-5139.

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