WWAY, UPS Store join forces to support USO this Christmas

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — WWAY and the UPS Store are joining forces with the USO of North Carolina to support our troops this Christmas.

We are collecting canned goods, individually wrapped snacks and toiletries for NC troops. The USO offers programs of support for American troops around the world. USO of NC supports specifically those troops that are based in NC.

Elizabeth Hester, who owns UPS Store locations in Leland and Wilmington, decided to start this program after watching her son graduate from Air Force boot camp.

“It was amazing to see over 600 young men and women voluntarily swear to give up their lives if needed to protect our freedom,” Hester said.

Hester said the reason to bring items to the UPS Store is because people in the military are dependent on the services that the USO offers to the troops.

You can drop off donations at the UPS Store at 4403 Oleander Drive in Wilmington or 2013 Olde Regent Way Ste 150 in Leland between now and Christmas. Here’s what to donate:

• Gift cards from “general stores” like Walmart, Sams’ s, local grocery stores
• Non-perishables: canned vegetables, fruits, beans, milk; canned meats: tuna, chicken, salmon; boxed pasta, mac and cheese, instant oatmeal, peanut butter, crackers
• Snacks: individually wrapped snack crackers, cookies, granola bars, KIND bars, Clif bars, beef jerkey, Slim Jim, flavored single powder drink mix for bottled water
• Financial Donations: (to help with Holiday for Heroes, family programs, story time, emergency needs) can be made at uso-nc.org.