CITY OF NORTH OLMSTED ADOPTS UNIT SERVING IN IRAQ
City Works with Americans Serving America

NORTH OLMSTED - A simple treat like beef jerky, candy, granola bars, an old book, are just a few of the items the City of North Olmsted is hoping to collect to brighten the spirits of 80 American soldiers stationed in Iraq.

The City of North Olmsted has adopted Battery B, 3rd Battalion of the 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, an 80-member unit serving in Iraq. The City will partner with the city schools and other interested community organizations to bring a touch of home to these brave men and women by sending care packages, cards and letters, and much more.

Mayor Thomas O'Grady, a retired Army paratrooper, is working with the organization America Supporting Americans (ASA). ASA is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization that links individual units in all branches of the military with communities across the country. "This is all about supporting our troops," said Linda Patterson, president and founder of ASA, who started the program by convincing her hometown to "adopt" her brother's unit in Vietnam. Her brother was killed in Vietnam but the organization has stood the test of time and continues to boost morale throughout the world.

For more information about this organization, visit the website at www.asa-usa.org.

A collection station will be set up at North Olmsted City Hall for things to send to our adopted unit. The following is a suggested list of items the troops need:

o Books, magazines and movies (new or used)
o Board games, playing cards, Frisbees, dice and crossword puzzles
o Treats and snacks (beef jerky, nuts, candy, granola bars)
o Dry soups and cereal
o Microwave snacks (popcorn, soup, noodles)
o Powdered drink mix for water (Crystal Light, Gatorade, lemonade)
o Socks
o Baby wipes
o Letters of support and appreciation
o Non-perishable items to remind them of home

All items and cash donations to help pay for postage will be accepted in the Office of the Mayor at North Olmsted City Hall, 5200 Dover Center Road, North Olmsted, Ohio between 8:00am and 5:00pm. For more information or to volunteer to help organize our care packages, please contact Annie Kilbane, Administrative Assistant to Mayor Thomas O'Grady, at 440-716-4142.