Donations for troop support needed

MILFORD — The donation boxes have been out since Aug.15 — and they’re still empty. Bob Turse of Milford’s American Legion Post 139 decided to start a drive to collect needed daily necessities for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Turse wants to collect toothpaste, soaps, shaving razors, playing cards and other items which are used everyday by both men and women. “Our fighting servicemen and women fighting have no place to get these things, and they need them,” said Turse. “I started this project by going out and buying $20 worth of items at the Dollar Store. This is not much more than a meal at a fast food restaurant.” Turse then approached his post commander Bill Friedman with his idea. Friedman suggested he take on the project and gave his full support for the donation drive. Turse has donation boxes at the Milford Post Office, the Dingmans Ferry Post Office, Grand Union in Milford and at Blue Ridge TV13 office on US Route 6/209. He claims he checks them frequently and no one has donated anything at all. The only place he is getting support for this project is at the American Legion Post on state Route 2001 outside Milford. He hoped that publicity would help. Turse said he can only collect until Oct. 30, when the Marine Corps Toys For Tots program begins. The packing and shipping of the donated items needs to be done by the Ladies Auxiliary of Post 139 in early November. Checks can also be sent to Bob Turse c/o Marsch-Kellogg Post 139 POB 144 Milford, PA 18337 on the memo portion of the check write Troops Necessities Fund. Turse says the troops need our support because these items are hard to come by overseas and they will be much appreciated.