Inaugural Operation Hero Box collection event scheduled for May 25

PERU — Local business owner and reservist Chad Gilbreth, Edward Jones financial advisor, and Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development have partnered with Hero Box to collect everyday items for deployed soldiers.

Although he has never been deployed, Gilbreth has served with men and women who have been, and knows it can be a rough and challenging environment to be exposed to for long periods of time. Both Gilbreth and the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development believe in taking care of our soldiers defending our country and putting their lives in harm’s way.

A semi trailer will be parked at 425 First St. in LaSalle from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 25, in an effort to collect items soldiers often go without while deployed, such as hand sanitizer and lip balm. The goal for the day is to fill an entire semi-trailer.

WLPO radio on-air personality Rod Thorson will be broadcasting live from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Commonly requested items are:

Food — Beef jerky, powder drink mix, fried fruit, power bar/granola bar, microwavable popcorn, microwavable cheesy mac, sunflower seeds, hard candy, Twizzlers, tuna fish packets, instant noodles, soup, coffee and trail mix.

Entertainment/other — DVDs/CDs, books, puzzle books, pens, pencils, postcards, drawing pads, journals, magazines, Tupperware, AA batteries, brown undershirts and socks.

Hygiene — Baby wipes, hand sanitizer, male and female deodorant, body lotion, sun block, toothbrush/paste, feminine hygiene products, lip balm, tissues, throat lozenges, eye drops, body powder and Tums/Rolaids.

Hero Box is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that supports deployed, injured, aging and homeless veterans. Their mission is to ensure that every American hero receives the physical and moral support they deserve.

The organization was launched 2008, and now has volunteers in all 50 states who help us support tens of thousands of deployed service members each year. In 2013, Hero Box expanded its programs to include injured, aging and homeless veterans.