Active Military Programs

Adopt A Troop
We will continue to collect items and ship as long as we have a local soldier deployed. We have been collecting DVD’s to ship for entertainment, paperbacks are great, candy, snacks, personal-care items for both men and women, Sunday comics are really appreciated, writing paper and pens, cards (playing and greeting), ground coffee and dry drink mixes are a few of the items we send. Your monetary and other donations are greatly appreciated.

Below is a partial list of what soldiers request in our care packages. Click here for a downloadable flyer.
Things to keep them dry, clean and comfortable
 
  • High-quality socks (preferably black, men’s & women’s, cushioned)
  • Soap (bar soap, shampoo, body wash, face wash, etc.)
  • Toothpaste (normal size, not mini), dental floss
  • Q-tips, disposable razors
  • Unscented Tampons (plastic applicator only)
  • Deodorant (travel size/non-aerosol)
  • Sunscreen
  • Hand sanitizer, Baby wipes
  • Pain-relieving topical cream
  • Vicks VapoRub
  • Sewing kits
  • Lens cleaning cloths
  • Flip flop sandals (for the shower)
Things to keep them entertained / Miscellaneous
 
  • Reading material (magazines, paperback, local newspapers)
  • Travel size chess or checkers
  • Handheld video games
  • Board games, puzzles
  • Decks of cards
  • Adult coloring books with colored pencils
  • Plastic model kits
  • Baseball gloves/baseballs
  • Batteries (AAs and AAAs)
  • Pencils, pens, stationary, unused greeting cards
  • 3M wall hooks
  • Tape, packing tape, scotch tape, duct tape
  • Ziploc bags, Plastic food storage containers
  • Sweatbands
  • Black sunglasses (no brand names)
Things to spice up their daily meal & hydration
 
  • Hot sauce (e.g. Taco Bell sauce packets)
  • Water flavoring (e.g. Crystal Light, Mio, powdered)
  • Instant coffee, Coffee creamer, tea mixes
  • Canned fruit (pop top)
  • Sugar packets, ketchup packets
  • Beef jerky, Slim Jim’s, Corn nuts
  • Protein bars, granola bars
  • Cookies, crackers (wrapped)
  • Licorice, Gum, candy (not chocolate)
  • Pop-Tarts, instant oatmeal
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Nuts, trail mix, pretzels, Pringles
We can arrange for pick-up of donations or you can drop items off at:
 
Hopkins Elks Lodge
30 – 8th Ave South
Hopkins, MN 55343
 
T:   952-933-2221
E:   [email protected]
W: http://www.hopkinselks.org
 
To make a financial donation or to reach us via mail:
 
Hopkins Elks Lodge – Adopt A Troop
P.O. Box 106, Hopkins, MN 55343