Donations needed for military men, women

USO handing out snacks, toiletries at airport

These are items the USO would like the public to donate so they can be given to military men and women at its welcome center inside Jacksonville International Airport.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – United Service Organizations is asking for your help so it can help local military men and women. It wants to give heroes a warm welcome when they arrive at Jacksonville International Airport.

The USO is asking the public to donate snacks and toiletries that can be handed out to military heroes as they arrive.

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"We would like individual-sized snacks since they can be expensive to buy at the airport," said Mike O'Brien, of the Jacksonville USO.

He said thousands of military men and women come into JIA every week.

"We want to welcome them and thank them for their service," he said.

They also need toiletries, which they may have run out of during their travels -- items like travel size toothbrushes and toothpaste, feminine products and razors.

O'Brien said many people assume the USO receives federal money or grants, but he said it does not. It relies on donations to help troops.

You can drop off the donations this month at Channel 4, located at 4 Broadcast Place on the Southbank, or at any Memorial Hospital location. For a list of snacks and the drop off locations click here.

The USO welcome center is located at the bottom of the escalators in the baggage area.


About the Author:

Jennifer, who anchors The Morning Shows and is part of the I-TEAM, loves working in her hometown of Jacksonville.