SALEM — There are a whole lot of packages making their way from North Broadway to soldiers serving overseas. Most have been going to Afghanistan, where Salem High graduate Keith Stickney serves.

Stickney's unit was part of an outpost destroyed in a recent ambush that killed eight soldiers. The soldiers lost everything they owned, including personal hygiene products, clothing and food. The military will replace uniforms, but it won't buy snacks, hand sanitizer or lip balm.

That's where the community comes in, led by Vicki Krikorian, owner of Postal Center USA at 236 North Broadway.

Keith Stickney's mother is a regular customer at Krikorian's store. She came in with a lot of items to send to Keith and it piqued Krikorian's interest. She told her about the outpost getting hit and told Krikorian she was sending things not only to her son, but also to his buddies.

From there, Krikorian said, it was a "no-brainer." She thought it was a good way to get the public involved and a good community project.

That was about three weeks ago. Since then, Krikorian said, she has sent a dozen boxes filled with T-shirts, stick deodorant, sunflower seeds, tuna, batteries and more — all donated by members of the greater community. Some people have helped with shipping costs and Krikorian is donating the boxes.

"We're going to continue until we get everything that can arrive by Christmas," Krikorian said yesterday. "If I can keep it going (after that), I will."

Other families who regularly come into her store to send packages to soldiers overseas also will benefit. She has been notifying those families that their relatives serving in the military also will receive some of the community care packages.

It costs between $15 and $25 per box for shipping. Krikorian said she wants to get everything sent by Nov. 25 in the hope of having the packages arrive in time for Christmas.

"They walked out of those outposts with just the clothes on their backs," she said. "The military is only going to replace uniforms. We're trying to replace the extra stuff that got destroyed."

The response has been excellent, she said. Keith's mother put fliers up and McKinnon's market stuffed them into grocery bags.

Word of mouth has done the rest. A Brownie troop has "adopted" the unit, as has a second-grade CCD class in Hampstead, Krikorian said.

"People have been wonderful," Krikorian said. "Keith has thanked me 100 times. But I told him we are so thankful for what you do for us."

Stickney has been in the Army for two years and this is his first deployment. He just turned 25 and is home on leave. He leaves to return to Afghanistan on Veterans Day, according to Krikorian.

"He seems to be so humble and doesn't want the focus on him," she said. "He said, 'It's not about me.'"

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What's needed

Jerky, sunflower seeds, tuna, Spam, gum

Single-serve packages of Gatorade and Crystal Lite

Canned soup with pop-top lids

Jell-O and pudding cups

Batteries

Lip balm, foot powder, non-aerosol bug spray, stick deodorant

Non-alcohol hand sanitizer, hand wipes

T-shirts, socks, boxers or briefs

Knit caps that fit under helmets

Money for shipping

Where to bring it

Postal Center USA

236 North Broadway, Salem

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.