Support the Troops! Chili supper planned

A chili luncheon and auction to benefit deployed soldiers and their families will be held Saturday at the Moose Lodge, 212 W. Franklin St.

The Moose is sponsoring the event and donating the proceeds to the local Indiana Army National Guard, 2-150 FA Alpha Battery Family Readiness Group. Members of FRG will be working the luncheon.

"Mickey Woods founded the Family Readiness Group in 1993," said Pamela Coons, chairperson. She has been a member since that time.

The purpose of this event is to help raise money for a homecoming celebration for deployed soldiers.

The group works to put together care packages for deployed soldiers. They also help soldiers who are not deployed and their families.

"I feel very passionate about this," she said. Coons has a son who has been serving since the age of 17 and a husband who has been active military for 26 years.

The chili will be served at 11 a.m. The cost for a bowl of chili will be $3 and includes crackers, cheese and onions. There will be hot dogs and chips available for $1 and soda for $1.

The auction will start at 1 p.m. with Mable Neese as the auctioneer.

Items scheduled for the auction include household décor, food and various items. Donations are still being accepted. Clothing will not be received.

To make donations of non-food items, contact Coons at 653-3764 or 720-7495. For food donations, contact Neese at 635-8014.

Anyone wishing to donate for a care package can do so by calling Coons. Items needed are: Visine, Q-Tips, shaving cream, toothpaste and toothbrushes.

"Toothpaste is needed. They may only get six tubes and it goes quick," Coons said.

The community can also help by watching for promotions by local retailers such as CVS who offer a "buy one/get one sent" to the troops on certain items. The FRG mail all items to deployed troops.