Donate to soldiers in Afghanistan, Iraq

Students are making sure even soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq have a bit of holiday cheer with a stocking care package.

Peterson YMCA, Huntington Beach Cub Scout Pack 290 and John R. Peterson Elementary School are working together to collect items for soldiers. They are collecting items for Words of Comfort, Hope and Promise, a nonprofit military outreach organization.

People can donate 7-inch-by-9-inch stocking, items to fill the stockings, or a filled stocking. The stockings can be filled with candy canes, chocolate candy, assorted Christmas candy, beef jerky, Cup Noodles, chewing gum, nuts, dried fruit, cotton socks, trail mix, Nature Valley Sweet & Salty peanut bars, Gatorade Propel, a variety pack of Quaker oatmeal breakfast bars, individually packaged cookies, small packs of baby wipes, and cards or letter of encouragement.

Items can be dropped off in donation boxes in YMCA P5, 20661 Farnsworth Lane, in front of the cafeteria and near the Clap wing by Monday.

After the items are donated, the students will assembly the stockings and write cards to the soldiers.

For more information contact the Peterson YMCA Child Care Director Tomia Hicks at (714) 536-0068.

— Britney Barnes