Carlinville's Shop Local First organization has teamed with the Macoupin County Military Support Group to collect boxed, non-perishable food items and everyday accessories to ship to Macoupin soldiers serving overseas in time for Christmas.

The "Christmas for a Soldier" drive starts on Saturday, November 1, and ends on Veteran's Day, November 11. On November 12, members of MCMSG will gather all of the donated items and then sort, pack, and mail them in time for the individual soldiers to receive them by Christmas.

Items can be dropped off at Abella's Restaurant, Ace Hardware, Angus Bailey's, Cheryl Beanblossom/Edward Jones, Boente Food Mart, Bruckert-Daley Inc., Carlinville Area Hospital, Cherry Tree Treasures and Gifts, Dimond Brothers Insurance, Fitness-A-Go-Go LLC, Happy Dog Stay-n-Play Daycare, Heinz Furniture and Floor Covering, My Sister's Closet, Plaza Truck Service, and US Bank.

Suggested items to donate include breakfast bars, "squeeze" cheese, chocolate, crackers, coffee and tea, fruit roll-ups, sausage sticks, beef jerky, trail mix, gum and similar easy to use items. Accessories for donation include bath towels, bug spray, foot powder, shoe insoles, DVDs, gloves, hand warmer packets, ornaments and miniature artificial Christmas trees.

In conjunction with the "Christmas for a Soldier" campaign, the Reverend Gary Farthing will lead a service entitled "Honoring Our Veterans" at Memorial Christian Church on November 9 at 7:00pm. The church is on the corner of First North Street and Charles Street in Carlinville.