LIVERMORE FALLS — Two women have combined efforts to collect items, including baked goods, to send to soldiers overseas for the holidays.

Tammi Harlow of Livermore Falls, the aunt of Keith Tibbetts, who is deployed with the 133rd Army National Guard, and Lorraine Cushing, also of Livermore Falls, are collecting donated items. Cushing has organized a Christmas program to send boxes to soldiers for four years. She sent packages on her own prior to the organized initiative.

The women hope to get donations of cookies, baked goods, items and also financial assistance to help fill the boxes. Being collected are personal hygiene items, snacks, crackers, pretzels, hard candy, nuts, Slim Jims, beef jerky, Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, baby wipes and alcohol wipes.

The effort is ongoing. They plan to pack the boxes at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at the VFW Hall in Jay.

Harlow is also being assisted by Pat and John Elsman, who have set up a donation box at their business, Four Winds Redemption Center at 1258 Park St. in Livermore Falls. Financial contributions can be sent to Tammi Harlow, 14 Campground Road, Livermore Falls, ME 04254 or may be brought to Cushing at Jo’s Hair Fashions on Main Street in Jay.

There are many soldiers away from their families, and it is the hope to send them some cheer, Harlow said.

Otis Federal Credit Union in Jay is also a huge supporter along with the AMVETS, Sons of AMVETS and auxiliaries, Harlow said. Donations can also be dropped off at Jo’s Hair Fashions and the redemption center.

Anyone in the community who has an address for a soldier is asked to bring it to the women and they will try to send them a package,  she said.

dperry@sunjournal.com