Backpacks for soldiers to be put together at Hickory Grove cookout
Comet staff report

Hickory Grove Church will host a Community Hamburger/ Hot Dog Cookout on June 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. Attendees will put together backpacks to send to wounded U.S. soldiers through Soldiers Angels. Soldiers Angels (soldiersangels. org) sends first responder backpacks to wounded soldiers as they arrive at the combat support hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan. When they arrive, they have only what they were wearing when they were injured. It can take days before they receive replacement supplies and it is often weeks before their belongings catch up to them. These backpacks ensure that the wounded soldiers have a little love from home to comfort them until their family can reach them and/or they return to the states.

There is no monetary charge for the meal; instead attendees are asked to bring items from the below list to send to soldiers: Large and extra-large are the most requested sizes; backpack - fully unzips for easy access; 100 minute AT&T phone cards; slippers; white crew socks; cards and letters of encouragement; paper and envelopes (stamps not necessary); T-shirts solid color (grey or black); lounge pajamas or knit boxers; hand held games; snacks and goodies; deodorant; shampoo; toothbrush; toothpaste; mouthwash; disposable razors; 5" comb; nail clippers; chap stick; lotions (hand or body); anti-bacterial wet wipes; bug repellent; luxury items; magazines; CD players; CDs and DVDs. No used clothing.

Hickory Grove Church is located at 9714N Carroll County Road 700W. For more information call Pastor Ken Smith at the church at 574-965-2731.