PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Operation Holiday Cheer, the annual collection drive for the 350 Rhode Island National Guard members stationed overseas, will finish up with a final collection and packing party Saturday at the R.I. National Guard Armory in Warwick.
Donated items from the 2012 Wish List, as well as cards and letters, will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items will not be accepted if they are aerosol, canned food, in glass, in bulk or weigh more than 16 ounces.
Most-requested items include powdered drink mixes, coffee syrup, beef jerky (no pork), packaged cookies (no homemade) and crackers, trail mix, granola bars, nuts, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, hard candy, chewing gum (no chocolate), foot powder, deodorant, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, moist towelettes, baby wipes, fly strips, bug spray, DVDs, music CDs, crossword puzzles, AA and AAA batteries, AT&T international military exchange prepaid calling cards, head lamps with head bands for reading (but no books) playing cards, card games (but no boxed games) baseballs, softballs and gloves (but no bats or basketballs, soccer balls or volleyballs), plain white tube socks (no logos, ground coffee (no beans).