Blue Star Mothers Chapter 177, with children in the U.S. Armed Forces, make it its mission to see every military person overseas gets a care package.

Last year, the group sent almost 700 care packages to troops at a cost of more than $11,000, according to President Tammy Sebasty of Galien.

The nonprofit group boxes five times a year — February, May, June, August and November, for Christmas.

Members send care packages early because it often takes as long as a month for packages to get to troops. Each carton contains enough treats for five soldiers.

November boxing coincides with the annual open house, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, at Michigan Lutheran High School, 615 Marquette Woods Rd., St. Joseph.

A 10th annual patriotic program starts at 1, followed by the boxing.

Suggested items are DVDs or CDs, white cotton socks, small cans of fruit, tuna pouches, cheese and crackers, beef jerky, instant drink mixes, foot and body powder, gum, mints and nuts, Santa hats and stockings.

As some soldiers never receive a card, letter or care package,  Blue Star Mothers sends extra packages to the chaplain, so items can be distributed to soldiers in need.

Drop boxes are available at the YMCA in Niles, Flo-N-Grow Hydroponics in Niles, Buchanan Senior Center, Galien Township Library, Galien American Legion and Keller Williams Realty in Berrien Springs.

Donations may be sent to Blue Star Mothers at P.O. Box 76, Stevensville, MI 49127.

If anyone needs more information or to learn know how to start a collection box at work, church or with family and friends, call Sebasty at (269) 547-7821 or email her at sebastyls2190@gmail.com or Barb Clapsaddle at (269) 932-8311 or email her at mamagoose01@hotmail.com.