The holidays are fast approaching and that means time for giving and receiving.

Nov. 11 through 24 WEIU-TV, Hit-Mix 88.9 WEIU-FM and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Charleston are teaming up to make care packages for our local troops.

After this two-week period of collecting, the donations will then be given to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary to pack up and send over to the troops.

Many different items are being accepted.

Packaged cookies, hard wrapped candies, toiletries, envelopes, puzzle books, stationary, playing cards, packaged nuts, small “fake” Christmas trees and other nonperishable items are being accepted as donations.

This is the second year the VFW Ladies Auxiliary has paired up with Eastern to make these care packages.

Last year, over 80 care packages were donated.

Jenness Drummond, the committee chairperson of the Veteran and Family Support for the Ladies Auxiliary for VFW, said she hopes this year they send even more care packages.

This year several businesses have decided to become drop-off locations.

“I believe when the VFW works together with different organizations we have had much better results,” Drummond said.

Ke’an Armstrong, a manager for WEIU-TV & Hit-Mix 88.9 WEIU-FM, is looking forward to seeing the public become more involved.

“Last year a lot of the EIU community took part; with more drop-off locations I’m anxious to see how the general public will respond,” Armstrong said.

Items for donation can be dropped off at WEIU-FM & TV or at 1521 Buzzard Hall (217) 581-5956.

Other drop-off locations in Charleston include County Market, Dollar Tree, Family Video, Rural King and Sav-A-Lot.

“We are very appreciative of the support that Eastern gives us,” Drummond said. “It really shows the troops that people back home are supporting them.”

Erin Riedl can be reached at 581-7942 or at edriedl@eiu.edu.