1st Battalion volunteer fire departments have officially launched the 2006 Christmas care package collection - Operation Wounded Warrior. Operation Wounded Warrior will deliver Christmas care package items to members of the US military who have been wounded in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and are recovering from these wounds at Camp Lejeune, NC-US Marine Wounded Warrior Barracks and the US Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.

In order for this trip to be successful, Christmas care packages containing some of the following items are needed: (non-food items) quilts, blankets, T-shirts, towels, shaving gel, plastic razors, deodorant, toothbrushes, tooth paste, baby wipes, Cool-aid, calling cards, Christmas ornaments with the American flag, (food items) chocolate, candy, cookies, popcorn, pretzels, chips and more.

Residents can help by contributing Christmas care package items, contributing a monetary donation to be used for the purchase of these items and to offset significant gasoline and tolls travel expenses incurred during the 1,200-mile three-day trip journey to Camp LeJeune, NC, and Bethesda, MD Naval Hospital.

Send all monetary donations to Stewart Manor Fire Department, c/o Operation Wounded Warrior, 120 Covert Avenue, Stewart Manor, NY 11530. Drop off care package items to Centennial Hall, 26 Tulip Avenue, Floral Park (at the intersection of Tulip and Carnation Avenues), Friday, Dec. 1, from 6-9 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 3, from noon to 4 p.m.; and Monday, Dec. 4, from 6-9 p.m.

For further information, contact Lou D'Amore at 354-4031 or Ken and Diane Fairben at 354-0289.