Long Beach group seeks items for care packs

The Long Beach Waterfront Warriors, which assists wounded, ill and injured servicemen and women, will host its third annual Holiday for Heroes Drive.

The Warriors -- with help from VFW Lt. John F. O'Grady Post 1384, Long Beach Catholic Regional School, the Magnolia Senior Center, the Long Beach International Film Festival, the Long Island Children's Museum and the Allegria Hotel -- continues its citywide campaign to bring the holidays to U.S. troops.

Items needed include travel-sized toiletries, tissues and hand sanitizers; gloves, magazines, books, DVDs, disposable cameras, batteries, clothing and other items. Donations can be dropped off from 2 to 9 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 9 at the VFW post, 675 W. Park Ave.

The Allegria, at National Boulevard and the Boardwalk, will host a "Wrap Party" on Dec. 11 from 2 to 5 p.m. Participants will help wrap packages, partake in a tree lighting ceremony, create cards for the troops and visit with Santa.

The Waterfront Warriors are bringing five servicemen and their families into the city, and the hotel will host their overnight stay, organizers said.

For more information about the LB Waterfront Warriors, call James Lynch at 516-432-2245 or visit lbwaterfrontwarriors.org.