Like the Mojave Desert in Nevada, it can get cold in the desert in Iraq, 10 degrees colder or more at nights, according to Cheryl Gardner, of the Marine Corps League.
That's why the league again is collecting cozy items like hand warmers, foot warmers, sole inserts for shoes, warm socks, small tubes of heat rub and cold medicine tablets to send to troops in Iraq for Operation Christmas Stocking.
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Like last year, the items will go with other "stocking stuffers," things like breakfast bars, hard candy, gum, soap, toothbrushes, envelopes of hot chocolate, cider, tea, dental floss, international calling cards, lip balm, moisturized wipes and feminine hygiene articles that also can be donated.
The items are for "our sons, daughters, nieces and nephews serving our country who will be away from their loved ones at Christmas," Gardner, adjutant for the league's Department of Nevada, wrote in an e-mail Tuesday.
The league's three local detachments have joined forces with Jones Media, Las Vegas International Realty and the Jones Vargas law firm to make Operation Christmas Stocking a success.
The cost to ship a box of items is $8.10, Gardner said.
She said anyone wishing to contribute to the operation can mail checks to or drop off items at the Leatherneck Club, 4360 Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas NV 89102. Checks should be made payable to the Marine Corps League with the notation, Operation Christmas Stocking.
Gardner has been responsible for sending over 2,200 care packages. Last year, more than 200 Christmas stockings were sent to troops overseas, and Gardner hopes to double that this year.
