Nahant will be accepting donations of items to send to military troops overseas throughout the month of April.
For the first time ever, the town is partnering with Operation Troop Support to make the collection happen. The Danvers-based organization has been supplying military forces with resources for more than 20 years.
Nahant American Legion Post 215 Auxiliary President Esther Johnson is a coordinator for the upcoming effort. She noted the locations in Nahant that are responsible for collecting certain items. The fire station is slated to be the place to deliver food donations, Town Hall will be collecting toiletries, and the public library will be collecting multiple kinds of books.
The students of Johnson School are tasked with collecting adult white socks.
“The kids are very involved,” Johnson said.
The Nahant Life Saving Station, where the Legion holds its monthly meetings, will also serve as a general location for donations.
The cause is also accepting monetary donations, with the purpose of funding the transportation of the goods.
“It’s very expensive sending this overseas, so the money that we’re collecting basically goes toward shipping coast,” Johnson said. “We’ve already raised $700.”
Johnson strongly encourages food donations to be freshly purchased, as opposed to already owned by residents for an extended period of time.
“Don’t take something off the shelf that’s been in the cupboard for a while,” Johnson said.
Johnson noted that what makes this project unprecedented for the Legion is that it helps men and women in active service, as opposed to just local veterans.
“Everybody in town has been terrific,” Johnson said. “I think it’s going to be a nice project for everybody.”
