After helping the victims of natural disasters in Minnesota and North Dakota, the founder of Project Hope North is turning his attention to military personnel stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A five-week drive to collect funds and goods for shipment to troops started Monday and will continue until Monday, Feb. 28, said Christ Bairaktaris of the Forest Lake-based Project Hope North, Inc.

The winter drive marks the second joint effort between Project Hope North and Hugo American Legion Post 620, Bairaktaris said. Last week, the Legion and Project Hope North partnered to send 67 boxes of needed supplies to the 82nd Field Artillery in Iraq.

Now the two are teaming to send supplies to the Marine Wing Support Squadron 472 in Iraq and Company D, 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry National Guard unit in Afghanistan. Bairaktaris said the goal of Operation Military Pride III is send a minimum of 70 boxes to each of the military units from Minnesota.

Major Kristi Johnson of North Branch is assigned to the Marine Support Squadron. Her aunt and uncle, Gordon and Betty Boyce of North Branch, are employed at Wal-Mart in Forest Lake, a corporate sponsor of the drive.

Military personnel on duty in Iraq and Afghanistan have requested the following items: baby wipes in unscented plastic case, Nerf footballs, Kool Aid with sugar, raisins, powdered Gatorade or Poweraid, Tang, sunflower seeds in shells, toothpaste, toothbrushes, gum, coffee or tea, hot cocoa mix, lip balm, hard candy, AA batteries, paper and pens.

Marilyn Stomberg, Hugo, is in charge of packing and shipping.

Collection boxes for goods can be found at Wal-Mart in Forest Lake, Wells Fargo Bank in Forest Lake and the Hugo American Legion Post.

The drive is also seeking financial support. Bairaktaris says Project Hope North, Inc. will need $7000 to purchase supplies and ship the 140 boxes of goods. Shipping alone will cost $2800 based on a cost of $20 a box, Bairaktaris said.

Tax-deductible donations can be sent to Project Hope North, Inc., P.O. Box 428, Forest Lake, MN 55025.

Collection cans have also been placed at the following businesses:

Rapid Press, NAPPA, Snyders Pharmacy, Big Dollar Store, Lakes Conoco, Hietalaís Old World Meat Market, Lakeside Grocery and Rolseth Drug, all in Forest Lake; and Koepís Village Bakery, Kitchen Collection, Corning Store, Karlís and Just a Dollar or Two, all in North Branch.

In addition to the $1000 donation from Wal-Mart, Project Hope North has received $300 from the Stacy Lions Club.

For more information, call 651-464-7263.

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Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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