The Ladies Auxiliary for VFW Post 5390 needs your help in making the holidays a little brighter for soldiers still serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Donations are still needed to fill approximately 200 care packages for Rhode Island veterans. 

"We're trying to get more donations," said Ladies Auxiliary President Kimberly Bessette of Portsmouth. "We want to get as many care packages out. 

"We want them to know there are still people back here that think and care about them." 

The care packages contain everything from chocolate to games and DVDs, several items not available overseas and reminders of home. 

Among items still needed include health and beauty care items, including thermal underwear, work gloves, toothpaste, shaving cream, dental floss and more; entertainment items such as puzzles and music; and food items, including Pop Tarts, peanuts, granola bars and candy. 

A partial list of the donations still needed can be seen in the pdf above. Pork and pork byproducts, as well as aresole cans, cannot be shipped. 

Two donations boxes will be set up soon for residents to help out. The donation boxes will be placed at Clements' Market and Reidy's Family Restaurant. 

Fifty of the care packages will be shipped to soldiers this week. The cost for shipment is $12.95 per box, which is raised through fundraisers and raffle sales. 

This is the Ladies Auxiliary's second year shipping the boxes, which will be sent to veterans from Rhode Island, not just Portsmouth. 

About six to seven volunteers are helping with the project. The Aquidneck Island Striper Team has also helped with the care packages. 

"They (Striper Team) have been a great help," Bessette said. "We have a lot of support from the community."