Seniors collecting care-package items to send to soldiers

Spokane Valley Senior Center members are asking the community to help bring some holiday cheer to the servicemen and women who put their lives on the line for the United States.

Seniors are gathering items to make soldiers stationed in countries throughout the world, including Iraq, a little more comfortable.

They are collecting eye drops, lip balm, travel tissue, gum, individual packages of cocoa, cider and Gatorade (or anything to mask the taste of canteen water), hard candy, handy wipes, magazines, trinkets that remind them of home and letters of support.

Also needed are prepaid phone cards. The cards are available at local post offices and let soldiers call loved ones in the states.

Items can be dropped off through Friday at Spokane Valley Senior Center, 11423 E. Mission Ave.

The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.