The Seneca County Board of Supervisors is asking county residents to help local troops for the holidays by donating to the Here4You program, supporting those serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. It accepts both goods and monetary contributions to help defray shipping costs.

To date the group has identified graduates from each Seneca County school district and sent packages, cards, and letters. It has also asked school children to write letters and cards as a project that would be a positive experience for them.

Those who know of an area soldier serving overseas may contact CSEA Local 850 to make sure that person is on the donation list.

“It's important our troops know the folks from back home support and are thinking about them,” Edward Barto, chairman of the Seneca County Board of Supervisors, said in a news release.

For a complete list of requested items and drop off locations, see Seneca County's Web site: www.co.seneca.ny.us. The list includes snacks, beverages, DVDs, pens, pencils, tissues and personal items.

Most desired food items include beef jerky, Tang, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, Ramen noodles, Slim Jims, garlic salt, hard candy or Life Savers, condiment packets, Spam, and Capri Sun.

Other sought after items are: batteries (AA and AAA), writing tablets, crossword puzzles, pens and pencils, dental floss, nail polish, foot powder, baby wipes, Q-tips, tissues (small packs), waterless hand sanitizer, dark colored stocking caps, Blistex, Chapstick with sunscreen, and face/dust masks.

Do not contribute any items in glass containers, aerosol cans, pork products, or “revealing” pictures.

Checks should be made out to Clifford Irwin c/o Here4you, American Legion 463, P.O. Box 401, Ovid, NY 14521, and items may be dropped off in collection boxes outside the County Manager's or DMV offices. Call Mike Lambert at 539-1997 if you wish to have donations picked up.

Other contact numbers include Carm Russo, 539-12834; Loree Rouse, 539-1914; and John Vaughn, 539-1734.