Operation Ziplock
A list of items is located below
Local residents and businesses are working together to assist and support troops overseas. Local State Farm Insurance offices are just one organization helping to spearhead an effort by the USO of Greater Pensacola Area to make care packages out of ziplock bags to be sent overseas. The effort has been dubbed Operation Ziplock.
Katherine Paris, coordinator for the Okaloosa and Walton area of the USO of Greater Pensacola says the military personnel and their families appreciate knowing they have support from home. Residents are asked to fill a large ziplock bag with items such as toiletries, phone cards, wet-wipes, movies and other non-perishable items, along with a note of gratitude, and mark your bag male or female.
The effort is unique to our four-county USO area and was based on the shoebox effort last year.
Angel Larsen, USO Director in Pensacola says clear plastic bags assist with security and inspections and are more convenient than the shoeboxes. Larsen told WZEP she has already received items from elementary students complete with notes of encouragement. She says the students seem to have a grasp of the reality of war, often writing a note of encouragement and a charge to, "go get the bad guys". She is copying many of the notes. Larsen says Operation Ziplock is a "wonderful, wonderful" program. She tells us items she sent out on February 28th have already been received and are greatly appreciated. The USO says, "life is not good for our troops eating sand."
Organizers suggest using gallon ziplock bags with travel size items. If you make a bag specifically for a female include notation or perhaps a pink sheet of paper. If the bag is for a man, use blue paper as a notation. Money is also accepted and will be used to purchase items to go into bags or to purchase the needed postage. Checks can be made to the USO of Greater Pensacola. Larsen says it costs $25 to send a case with twelve bags. It was noted this is not a fundraiser drive however.
The USO will ship the bags overseas for distribution to individuals. Sponsors are needed for packing supplies as well as postage and shipping. Anyone wishing to help in these areas should contact USO Director Angel Larsen at 455-1064 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. In Walton and Okaloosa County you may call Katherine Paris at 581-6399.
There will also be a kickoff party this Saturday from 4-10 at Fat Tuesday's with free food, live bands. The location is at the foot of the bridge on U.S. 98 in Fort Walton Beach.
Here is a list of drop off points.
Most area State Farm Insurance offices
DeFuniak Springs:
WZEP AM 1460, North 12th Street, in DeFuniak Springs, 892-3158
Crestview:
Chamber of Commerce, Okaloosa Tax Collector office, and the Am Vets Post
Valparaiso:
Am Vets Post
Fort Walton Beach:
Vanguard Bank, Okaloosa Tax Collector, Ft. Walton Beach Chamber, and UWF Campus
Destin:
Destin Log, Destin Chamber of Commerce 4484 Legendary Drive
Various sites at Eglin and Hulbert Field:
Sandestin:
Also:
Drop it off at the provost office at Pensacola Junior College Milton campus.
Call the USO of Greater Pensacola Area at 850-581-6399 (Katherine Paris, Okaloosa and Walton) or 455-1064 (Angel Larsen, Pensacola Director) for additional drop off locations or for more information.
Here is a list of items needed. the items are usually the same for male and female. Female items different from male are listed in the right column.
Note: Aerosols might have a problem if shipped through the mail. If you suspect an item may leak, you might want to place it in an additional plastic bag. Soldiers get free letter size postage.
| Male | Female |
| Deodorant Soap | Scented Soap |
| Travel tooth brush | |
| Toothpaste | |
| Body spray | Female spray |
| Dental Floss | |
| Mouthwash | |
| Pocket Mouthwash packs | |
| Shower talc | |
| Foot powder | Emery boards |
| Skin lotion or skin moisturizer | |
| Lip balm | |
| Cotton Swabs | |
| Wet wipes | |
| Travel tissue | |
| Toilet paper | |
| Shampoo | |
| Eye drops wash (saline drops) | |
| Disposable razors | |
| Shaving cream | Shaving Gel |
| Stationary / Envelopes | |
| Mechanical pencils and pens | |
| Book marks | |
| Paper back books and magazines | |
| Crossword or other puzzle books | |
| Bandanas | Bandanas and Sun visors |
| Cereal bars | |
| Breath mints and chewing gum | |
| Soft batch cookies (no chocolate) | |
| Powdered drink mixes | |
| Instant coffee or tea | |
| Playing cards and game cards | |
| Travel sewing kits | |
| CD's and DVD's | |
| Batteries AA/AAA | |
| tampons / panty liners | |
| Laundry detergent | |
| clothes pins and lines (camping type) | |
| Phone cards | |
| Large ziplock type plastic bags for storage | |
| Disposable cameras with mail-back box |