Officials from Prayer Angels for the Military hosted Operation Thank Our Troops on Saturday at the Newhall Library where volunteers created and sent care packages to overseas soldiers.

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“We still have local deployed troops and some have suffered losses and injuries in their units. They still need support and prayers from our community,” said Suzon Gerstel, president of Prayer Angels for the Military.

The organization requested that the community donate snacks, including granola bars, beef jerky, canned soups, canned ravioli, pop tarts, peanut butter, Ritz crackers, tuna kits and ground coffee, as well as practical items like socks, razors, body wash, lotion, zip-lock bags, international phone cards, and batteries.

Volunteers were also encouraged to send letters or cards thanking the soldiers.

Since 2003, the Prayer Angels for the Military has hosted multiple events every year, including Operation Thank Our Troops, Hearts for Heroes, a tree lighting Ceremony and a Valentine’s Day card-making event.

Congressman Buck McKeon awarded the nonprofit with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in 2005, according to the Prayer Angels website.

Related: Prayer Angels For The Military Hosts ‘Hearts For Heroes’ For Soldiers

Prayer Angels for the Military is one of few organizations that tries to center their events and timing of events around when and what soldiers say they need, Gerstel said.

With prayers and mail, the Prayer Angels for the Military supports troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas of deployment, according to their website.

The nonprofit also supports wounded soldiers as well as members of law enforcement.

The group has sent letters and other requested items to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. and to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, according to their website. The organization has served thousands of service men and women since its inception.

Prayer Angels for the Military officials welcome donations and volunteers, Gerstel said.

Tax-deductible cash donations can be mailed to the main site or made online thru PayPal at their website and the organization provides a list of items to donate for care packages.

The nonprofit’s main site is located at 21609 Oak Orchard Rd, Newhall, CA 91321.

Deployed troops can be registered online or by email to receive care packages.

For more information contact Gerstel at 661-799-8865 or email prayerangelsforthemilitary@yahoo.com.

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