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Dallas Association Donates Items to Troops in Iraq, Afghanistan
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Members of the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas prepare to ship donated items to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. | For more than two years, the Support Our Troops program organized through the Associates Council of the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas has donated food and other items to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It was started by associate member Bruce Johnson, CGA, CAPS of Tax Mediators for Texans, and the association's Lisa Young. Johnson was moved to begin the program after two of his sons and one of his grandsons was activated into duty.
“Having family members over there gives you a different outlook on life,” said Johnson. “They were my inspiration for starting this program.”
Since then, several organizations have helped by donating boxes and providing other services. Also helping are local association members who have rolled up their sleeves to ship more than 10,000 items to the troops.
"What we have is a list of what the guys need," said Narciso Tovar, director of public relations for the association. People donate items based on that list, and several Dallas-area builders have pitched in to seal them and ship the items overseas.
Among those items sent are lip balm, eye drops, phone cards, skin lotion and sun block.
"One of the oddest things is probably beef jerky," said Tovar. While not as odd, playing cards also are a popular item among the troops, Tovar added.
Whether shaving cream or stationery, all items must be non-perishable, not easily breakable and not be in a pressurized spray can.
"I know that for them, a lot of it is to get the creature comforts from home," said Tovar.
Johnson added that Christmas was the busiest time for sending items over, but he wants to keep the drive going just as strong throughout the year. Earlier this month, he sent Valentine’s Day packages to the troops.
The ongoing drive has no specific goal. Rather, the association wants to continue shipping as many items to soldiers as possible.
"The campaign ends when the last of our troops come home,” Johnson said.
If you’d like to donate goods, contact Johnson at 972-960-8900.
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