Operation Interdependence mixer is Thursday
The local Operation Interdependence campaign is now in full swing as organizers are reaching out to the community for donations of small care packages and letters for our soldiers serving overseas.
The last of a series of weekly fundraising mixers will be held Thursday, June 19 at Remington’s at Embassy Suites, from 6-9 p.m. Donations of supplies for the care packages and monetary donations can be delivered at the mixer.
Donations can also be made at any IBC Bank branch. Every penny goes directly to buying supplies for our soldiers, according to the campaign organizers. Donations can also be dropped off at the Progress Times/Winter Texan Times newspaper, located at 1217 N. Conway, Mission. Other drop-off locations include Texas Regional Bank branches Valleywide, Gym at Uptown and Tierra Dulce.
Sponsors of this year’s OI campaign include IBC Bank and the National Professional Hispanic Organization (NHPO) RGV Chapter, along with other organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen, KURV, Texas Regional Bank, STC Veteran Affairs, the RGV Partnership, and the Progress Times/Winter Texan Times.
OI asks for the community’s support to bring your change and/or supplies for our troops. Small travel size items such as toiletries (body lotion, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, chapstick, disposable razors, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, foot powder) and individually packaged/sealed food items (beef jerky, granola bars, gum, candy, cookies, nuts, seeds, trail mix, oatmeal-flat packs, snack crackers, fruit snacks, drink mixes) are the ideal items. The items need to fit in quart-size sealable plastic bags.
Teachers can encourage their students to get involved by writing a letter of support to a soldier overseas. These letters will also be placed in each of the care packages.
“The last campaign in the RGV sent over 40,000 care packages to our troops,” said Dora Brown, IBC Bank vice-president. “This year, we challenge our community once again to surpass this number. The Valley has shown great leadership and community involvement every year. Help us bring a piece of ‘home’ to these men and women serving our country.”
Donations are being accepted until the first week of July. A packing party is planned July 10 to prepare the items for shipping.
To get more information about Operation Interdependence visit www.facebook.com/oirgv.
About Operation Interdependence
Operation Interdependence is a nationwide 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a means for community members to support troops serving on the frontlines, military families and veterans.
