The Rome Young Republicans want to help soldiers fighting overseas feel closer to home this holiday season by sending entertaining gifts.

Chairwoman Layla Shipman said volunteers will be collecting donations Dec. 5 from noon to 3 p.m. in the upper parking lot of Provino’s, 228 Shorter Ave.

“The thought behind it was that the troops don’t have a lot of down time in Afghanistan right now, but when they’re gone they like the comforts of home,” she said.

The group is looking for new or used books, CDs and DVDs, and new magazines, puzzle books, electronic gaming  devices  and powdered drink mixes to go into individual water bottles.

Shipman said a friend’s husband who serves as an independent contractor overseas said the powdered mixes “are like gold” to them.

“It’s better because when they’re out hiking to their next location and all they have is water, they can have something different. Water can get boring sometimes,” she said.

The group also will be accepting donations on Dec. 8 during the Young Republicans Christmas Party at 333 on Broad. Shipman said the public is welcome to come hear Gold Star mother Jan Johnson, whose son Justin Johnson was killed in Iraq in 2004, and to drop off gifts for the troops.

“We want to be able to send some holiday cheer their way in Iraq and Afghanistan and let them know that we’re thinking about them,” Shipman said.

The gifts will be boxed for shipping during the weekend of Dec. 12 and 13.

Places where the packages will be sent include Kandahar and Kabul in Afghanistan.

Shipman said the Young Republicans plan to hold similar collections for the troops every three months next year.

For more information about how to help, e-mail romeyoungrepublicans@gmail.com or call Shipman at 706-853-9014. She said family members of soldiers serving overseas can also call with information about their location.

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