The Young Democrats are collecting items from students, faculty and the community to place in care packages that will be sent to members of the Louisiana Army National Guard stationed in the Houma/Thibodaux area who will be deployed to Iraq in the spring of 2010. The effort, titled Project 200, will involve 200 care packages sent to Iraq consisting of non-perishable food, personal hygiene products and various recreational and entertainment items.

Project 200 is the first major service project by the Young Democrats since its start in September 2008. Mariam Matteuzzi, president of Young Democrats, is working with Todd Molaison of the Louisiana Army National Guard to identify items that are of valued use in Iraq.

“Molaison spoke with the troops, and the troops responded with a wish list for what they would like to see in the packages,” Matteuzzi said. “They are very excited and are looking forward to what they will uncover when they receive the packages.”

The item collection has been split into three phases. In the first collection phase currently underway, the Young Democrats are gathering recreational and entertainment items. Donations of reading materials, DVDs, CDs, footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, balloons to hold water, board games, journals and sketchbooks will be collected.

In the second phase slated for early spring 2010, personal hygiene products such as razors, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, suntan lotion, foot powder, shampoo, deodorant, lip balm and contact solution will be collected.

In the final phase, non-perishable food will be gathered. Items include instant coffee, sugar, powdered creamer, powdered Gatorade, cereal bars, Pop Tarts, beef jerky, gum, hard candy, canned soup, canned tuna, canned fruit cocktail, crackers, dried fruit, cookies, Kraft Easy Mac, popcorn, marshmallows and Tony Chachere’s seasoning.

Matteuzzi explained Pop Tarts and Kraft Easy Mac are among the most requested food items according to the guard. She also said Tony Chachere’s seasoning holds a sentimental place in the care package.

“The seasonings remind the guard of their home in Louisiana,” Matteuzzi said. “It will provide something familiar to them when they are so far away.”

Phone cards in values of $20 or more are requested most by the Louisiana Army National Guard. Guards are given a limited call time by the government to call home in matters of necessity. Also, phone cards with values less than $20 quickly erode when international calling rates are applied to the card’s balance.

“Since the phone card expense may be out of a student’s budget, we are asking faculty and staff members across campus to help us out with this important need,” Matteuzzi said.

A drop location has been established in the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs office at 303 West Third St. in Thibodaux. Currently, the Young Democrats are working to establish drop locations across the Nicholls campus and in Houma.

Along with items for the care packages, cash donations are also welcome. The cost of sending one care package overseas to a soldier will cost approximately $11.

Matteuzzi said the project will give the Louisiana Army National Guard a tangible reminder that their service to the country does not go unnoticed.

“These men and women are our brothers, sisters, friends, classmates and parents,” Matteuzzi said. “Many are our age, and they are risking their lives for something bigger than any one of us.”

Matteuzzi said she would like to see other student organizations get involved and combine efforts with the Young Democrats. “With help from the NSU community, we can make a big difference in the morale of our soldiers in harm’s way,” she said.