Radio stations hosting donation drive for USO

NORWALK — A team of local radio stations — K96 WKFM, 95.3 WLKR and 92.9 WLKR Classic — recently announced their 18th-annual Step Up For Soldiers donation drive to benefit USO Ohio. With the program, the radio stations and business partners are collecting donation items for military members and their families. "The USO provides toiletry items to support service members throughout Ohio and the surrounding areas," according to an event statement. "These essential items are delivered to National Guard members at various sites during their annual training, including military entrance processing stations, airport USOs, Camp Garfield, Camp Grayling and Camp Perry," it read. "In these locations, access to necessities, such as toothbrushes and shampoo, can be limited, making these donations invaluable." So what's needed? "Travel-sized items, including bar soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, floss, toothbrushes, detergent pods, playing cards, Q-tips, sunscreen, body wash, shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste help bring the comforts of home to service members while they train," the statement read. "In addition to toiletries, the USO also provides individual snacks that service members truly appreciate," it continued. "Items like jerky, gum, mints, granola or protein bars, fruit snacks, trail mix, cookies, drink mixes and chips are made available at USO centers or delivered directly to training locations, offering a small but meaningful boost to morale for service members." The donation drive kicked off this week and spans through Dec. 20. Items can be dropped off at the following area locations: • AgCredit at: — 735A U.S. 20 E. Norwalk — 311 Maple St., Wellington • American Driving School, 910 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky • The BackYard pickleball and social club, 355 S. Bridge Road, Lakeside-Marblehead • Battles Insurance, 15 Whittlesey Ave., Norwalk • Croghan Colonial Bank at: — 33 Park St., Milan — 11 Monroe St., Monroeville — 60 Whittlesey Ave., Norwalk • Erie County Veterans Service Office, 2900 Columbus Ave., second floor within the Erie County Services Center, Sandusky • Firelands Electric Cooperative, 103 Industrial Drive, New London • Firelands Federal Credit Union at: — 169 N Ridge St., Monroeville — 175 Cleveland Road, Norwalk — 325 W. Perkins Ave., Sandusky, • Jamie's Carpet at: — 46125 Telegraph Road, South Amherst — 130 Market Drive, Elyria — 402 E. Perkins Ave. Sandusky • Koch Doors & Windows, 1615 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky • Marblehead Soap Co., 417 W. Main St., Lakeside-Marblehead • Redwood Apartments at: — 1120 Red Thimbleberry Drive, Elyria — 230 Stower Lane, Norwalk — 122 Redwood Drive, Sandusky — 911 Wine St., Vermilion • Schild's IGA SuperCenter, 171 Milan Ave., Norwalk • Small Town Eye Care, 805 Patriot Drive E., Wellington • Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 913 Crossings Road, Sandusky People can learn more by visiting wkfm.com or wlkrradio.com