Locals collect goods, money for troops in need

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Locals collect goods, money for troops in need
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Throughout August five Handcrafted Alexandria businesses have been collecting food and personal care items to support a 70-person Virginia-based military unit serving in Afghanistan who do not have access to a post exchange for basic necessities. In addition to accepting donations at their individual stores, Handcrafted Alexandria volunteers have also established a stand at the Old Town farmers market at Market Square which they staffed Saturday morning and will do so again this Saturday.

We have not gotten a lot of tangible donations so far, but we have gotten a lot of monetary gifts which we can use to buy items and help with shipping costs, said Kate McMahon, manager of Ten Thousand Villages.

The same thing has been happening at my store, said La Muse owner Debra Monahan, who joined McMahon. The people have been very generous.

Designated the Lend-A-Hand program, it is Handcrafted Alexandrias new series of monthly initiatives bringing together businesses and the community in support of local charity initiatives and charitable organizations.

This effort is to support an Air Force combat sustainment support battalion whose mission is to provide life support to Shindand Airbase and smaller bases in western Afghanistan, according to Handcrafted Alexandria. 

Donations are being collected throughout August at The Torpedo Factory Art Center, The Art League, Imagine Artwear, Ten Thousand Villages and La Muse, as well as the Farmers Market. Things needed include canned foods and 100-calorie snacks; personal care items; cleaning supplies and entertainment items such as music, videos and magazines.

For additional information contact Monahan at 703-683-1696 or visit www.HandcraftedAlexandria.com.

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