“Yellow Ribbon Day” Donation Drive: Collection Helps Blue Star Mothers Send Packages To Local Troops Serving Abroad

BALLSTON SPA — The eighth annual Yellow Ribbon Day donation drive – which helps get “Freedom Boxes” with snacks and other personal care items in the hands of troops, is underway and will return through April 7.  

Donna Abare, president of Blue Star Mothers of America-NY 2, said their shelves are virtually bare right now, so the need is great for items that can be packed into the Freedom Boxes. “Following the large packing we did for the holidays, we haven’t had anything really coming in, so we are very much counting on the Yellow Ribbon drive to be able to meet our goal of sending out about 400 boxes in May,” she said.

The collection of individual-sized personal care items and snack foods will be donated to the Blue Star Mothers of America NY-2 to put together and send packages to local troops serving abroad. 

Donations can include non-perishable items like cookie and cracker snack packages, microwaveable soup cups, fruit snacks, granola bars and beef jerky, as well as personal care items such as insect repellent wipes, body wash (small), lip balm, puzzle books and more. 

In addition to municipal locations across the county, Hannaford Stores in Saratoga County are participating in the drive, serving as drop-off points for donations.

Donated goods can be dropped off at the following locations during regular business hours: DMV offices in Saratoga County (located in Ballston Spa, Clifton Park and Wilton); Saratoga County Clerk’s Office, 40 McMaster St., Ballston Spa; Veterans Service Agency, 2144 Doubleday Ave., Suite 15, Ballston Spa; Saratoga County Hannaford stores; various town and village offices in Saratoga County (Call to see if your local municipality has a collection box). 

Monetary donations are also accepted. As a reference, it costs $18 postage to send each “Freedom Box.” The cost to fill one box is about $45, so a $63 donation covers the cost of filling and sending one box. Checks can be made payable to Blue Star Mothers of America-NY 2 and sent to PO Box 243, Delmar, NY 12054. Please write “In honor of Yellow Ribbon Day” in the memo section. To donate through PayPal, go to www.paypal.com/fundraiser/hub and search “Blue Star Mothers of America-NY2”.

For more information, please visit the Saratoga County Clerk’s Facebook page, @saratogacountyclerk, which will be updated throughout the donation drive.