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'Treats For Troops' Bringing Joy To Soldiers

VOORHEES, N.J. (CBS 3) ― Thanks to the kindness and generosity of others, a South Jersey mom is bringing joy and happiness to our nation's soldiers. She started "Treats for Troops" just a month ago.

Voorhees mom Lisa Kirstein honors her oldest son, an Army Private, in the family kitchen, on what she calls the wall of Anthony.

"As he e-mails us or sent us pictures, we put them up here," Lisa said.

Signs on her front lawn read "Bring my son home safe."

But until that day, Lisa is committed to bringing a little piece of "home" to Anthony and 200 of his fellow soldiers.

Lisa set up colorful bins at six area businesses and the public is pitching in 'single size' essentials.

"They love Slim Jims, they love the sugar-free individual drink mixes, travel size toiletries are great," Lisa said.

Anthony's squadron moved to a remote area south of Baghdad, along Iraq's Tigris River halfway into a 16 month tour.

"It was a very drastic change, they are now living in tents and also in metal shipping containers, most of the eating is the MRE's, meals ready to eat, which is like a freeze dried astronaut food," Lisa said.

With 120 degree temperatures, only water to drink, and showers limited to twice a week, little goodies from home have been a God-send.

"Anything they can put on their person, they have a like a million pockets and they go out on these 12 hour shifts," Lisa said.

"Something that costs like a dollar or two dollars is nothing to us, but brings such a great deal of happiness," Lisa said.

Thankfully, Lisa's small army of Anthony's five younger siblings at home, help pack the goodies.


Please bring your donations any of the following locations:

In Pa.:
The Blue Tulip Gift Shop
Suburban Square
Ardmore, Pa.

In N.J.:

The Blue Tulip Gift Shop
The Promenade, Route 43, Marlton

Skewers Restaurant
The Shops at Borders, Route 73, Marlton (closed Sunday)

Bernard's Salon and Spa
The shops at Holly Revene, Cherry Hill

Bernard's Salon and Spa Route 70, Marlton

The Voorhees Police Department
White Horse Road
Voorhees: accepting donations 24 hours a day!

Donations Needed:
Travel size antibacterial wipes
Packets of tuna and salmon (no cans please)
Power bars, granola bars
Individual size, sugar free powder drink mixes
Travel size hygiene products (q-tips, deodorant, body wash)
Toothbrushes and travel size toothpaste
Playing cards
Microwavable soups, meals, popcorn
Gum, hard wrapped candy
School supplies for Iraqi children

Monetary Donations are used for shipping costs: mail to:

Lisa Kirstein, Founder,
19 Simsbury Drive, Voorhees, NJ 08043

Free Concert in Voorhees where donations for the deployed soldiers will also be collected:

August 15 at 7:00 pm
Big Shot: A Billy Joel tribute band
Be A "Big Shot" and bring a donation for "Treats for the Troops" to the concert!
Connolly Park, Centennial Blvd, Voorhees

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