Port Aransans helping troops in Iraq

Items to make life a little easier for U.S. military troops are being collected for the 60 members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, 380th ECES Squadron in Al Dhafra Air Base, on the desert island of Dubai.

Trinity-Day-School is collecting personal items to send to squadron members, one of whom is Stephanie Hinojosa, a 2005 graduate of Port Aransas High School.

Items will be collected through Friday, Nov. 9 to allow time for shipping in time for Christmas.

Collection boxes have been placed at the Family Center IGA, The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, Trinity Day School, Port Aransas High School, Brundrett Middle School and H.G. Olsen Elementary School.

Hinojosa wrote in a recent e-mail, "I thought that living in the south would prepare me for the weather here, but this is crazy! Imagine opening the oven and the heat coming from it. Walking around here is like walking in a oven; a lot of hot air and hot wind," she added.

Donations are being accepted to help offset the cost of shipping the items. Donation jars are at the day school and at Trinity-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.

Items being collected for Hinojosa 's squadron include:
AA AND AAA BATTERIES
SUN BLOCK

FACE SUN BLOCK
TOOTHPASTE
TOOTHBRUSHES
CHAPSTICK
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
NEW YEAR'S EVE DECORATIONS,
PARTY FAVORS
GOODIES (COOKIES, BROWNIES,
SNACKS)
MAGAZINES FOR MEN AND WOMEN
LOTION
NIGHT CREAMS
FOOT, HAND, FACE CREAMS
HAND SANITIZER
GATORADE PROPEL PACKS
COTTON BALLS
GUM
TYLENOL