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