The goal of the project is to send 1,000 care packages to troops and another 500 for military dogs.
The project, called “Operation Remembrance,” began on September 11, and the donations are being collected through October 14.
The care packages will be assembled and sent out a few weeks later. Andrew Fisher is a member of VetCorps, part of the LifeBridge AmeriCorps, which is helping to host the drive.
"When we started this our goal was a local thing, but everybody is really pumped up, the governor even made it where all state employees are a part of it now. It’s really blossomed, really fast, and that’s great," he said.
Drop off centers are located in Kanawha, Putnam, Clay and Boone counties. But people all around the state are encouraged to help.
Suggested donations to troops include toiletry items, wool or cotton socks, sun block and packaged snack foods. Dog donation suggestions include flea shampoo, dog toys, and flea collars.
"A lot of people just don’t read into it that the dogs play a large part over there. They are responsible for the bomb teams, and just helping the soldiers out getting the bad guys," he said.
Individuals are asked to avoid donating compact discs, DVDs, canned foods, lighters, candles, glass items like bottles and jars, home baked goods, hotel samples, used clothing or linens.
Fisher, who is a veteran of the United States Army and served in Iraq and Afghanistan, says anything and everything helps.
"There’s approximately 96,000 over there right now, and I was there, I received a care package over there from people I didn’t know. It really means a lot, it really does, it makes you feel a little more appreciated," Fisher said.
Local businesses are serving as drop off centers.
To find a place to donate, click
here.