Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) is joining forces with State Senator Mike Nozzolio for the Senator’s annual Holiday Drive for the Troops. Also joining in supporting our nation’s brave men and women are Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, Assemblymen Gary Finch and Bob Oaks, as well as Webster Town Supervisor Ron Nesbitt. Palmesano’s District Office, 105 East Steuben Street in Bath, will be accepting donations until December 13.

Each year during the Holiday Season, Senator Nozzolio collects nonperishable items from the community to be sent to military personnel deployed overseas. Senator Nozzolio was inspired to begin the annual drive with the help and support of Belinda McElroy of Sodus. Belinda’s youngest son, Sean, served in Iraq and her oldest son, Patrick, is currently serving in Afghanistan.

“In the United States, we are very fortunate to have so many brave men and women willing to go into harm’s way to protect our freedom and security at home,” said Palmesano. “The holiday season offers us a chance to tell our servicemen and women just how much we appreciate their sacrifice on our behalf. Providing some of the small comforts of home to our troops may not seem lavish, but it goes a long way in demonstrating our appreciation.”

“It is more important than ever that we recognize the contributions of our local soldiers, and there is no better time than the holiday season to think of the troops defending our Nation overseas,” said Senator Nozzolio. “Our soldiers have left their family and friends and the comfort of their homes in order to serve a cause greater than themselves. They have sacrificed so much to serve our Nation and helping to provide them with the little comforts from home is just one way that we all can say ‘thank you’ for their service to our State and Nation.”

Nonperishable items such as snacks, gum, hard candy, instant coffee and dry-mix beverages, such as iced tea and lemonade, can be dropped off at the following locations:

• Senator Nozzolio’s office: 119 Fall Street, Seneca Falls;
• Assembly Minority Leader Kolb’s office: 607 W. Washington Street, Geneva;
• Assemblyman Gary Finch’s office: 69 South Street, Auburn;
• Assemblyman Bob Oaks’ office: 10 Leach Road, Lyons;
• Supervisor Ron Nesbitt’s office: 1000 Ridge Road, Webster; and
• Assemblyman Phil Palmesano’s office: 105 East Steuben Street, Bath.

Other personal items such as DVDs, stationery, pens and small articles of clothing, such as hats or socks, also are welcome. Items can be dropped off until December 13th. Anyone who would like their donated items to be sent to a specific soldier from our region should contact Senator Nozzolio’s office with their serviceman or woman’s name and where they are stationed. Senator Nozzolio’s Seneca Falls office can be reached toll free at 1-888-568-9816 or by emailing nozzolio@nysenate.gov.