Operation Christmas Time in August has officially begun, collecting donations for U.S. troops deployed overseas. Among the service members is one of Texoma’s own — Captain Greg Gardner.
Captain Gardner attended Hugo High School while residing at Goodland. He later went on to study at Oral Roberts University and Southeastern Oklahoma State University before joining the United States Army. His home of record is Durant, Oklahoma.
Captain Gardner is the grandson of the late retired Sergeant Major Billy G. Gardner, a longtime resident of Bokchito, Oklahoma. He is also a proud member of the Choctaw Nation.
In the Army, the term “Battle Buddy” refers to someone who always has your back and ensures you are never alone. Now, it’s our turn to show deployed troops that we have their backs.
Donations will be accepted from now through July 20. Captain Gardner’s family plans to send care packages for approximately 20 soldiers. Any extra donated items will be given to the Choctaw Nation Veteran Advocacy Program.
Accepted Donation Items
Note: All personal hygiene products must be unscented, alcohol-free, and in non-aerosol containers. Please avoid pump dispensers, as they may leak during shipping.
Personal Hygiene Products Unscented baby wipes 3-blade razors Alcohol-free, travel-size mouthwash Floss Toothpaste Unscented deodorant Unscented body wash (fragrance-free preferred, no pumps) Q-tips Bath cleansing wipes (aka “shower in a bag” or bath washcloths) Alcohol-free, non-aerosol shaving cream/lotion Talc-free antifungal foot powder Unscented bar soap (must withstand heat if handmade) Miscellaneous Items Black boot socks (variety of sizes) Unscented laundry pods Tide To Go stain remover Black ink pens Snacks (Shelf-stable items only) Beef jerky Pringles (snack-size, any flavor) Lay’s chips (snack-size, any flavor) Doritos (snack-size, any flavor) Individually wrapped hard candy Freeze-dried candy Nuts (sunflower seeds, peanuts, trail mix, etc.)
Dried fruit (single-serving) Gum Protein bars Ramen noodles Cup Noodles Tuna lunch kits Cheese dip (no glass containers) Nutritional bars Pop-Tarts Lifesavers Canned meats with pulltabs Beverage Items Ground coffee Coffee drink powders Hot chocolate mix Lemonade mix (singleserving powdered only) Kool-Aid mix (singleserving powdered only) Crystal Light mix (singleserving powdered only) Gatorade mix (singleserving powdered only) Donation Drop-Off Locations Durant Fire Department – 1st Street, Durant Bokchito Police Department – Bokchito State Farm Agent Kevin Cory – Hugo OK Tackle – Calera and Kingston Brantley Flowers & Gifts – Durant Good Deal Thrift Store – Durant Mashburn Family Mercantile – Bokchito Jackson Angus Beef – Bokchito (Accepting beef jerky donations) Choctaw Nation Community Center – Durant Choctaw Nation Community Center – Hugo Pumpkin Seeds LLC – Durant If you have any question or interested in hosting a donation box, please contact: Pearl Seaboy (Gardner) (580) 745-4899.
Let’s come together to support our soldiers and show them they are never forgotten.
