VIDALIA — Instead of huddling around a fire with family and friends, 116 soldiers in Louisiana National Guard’s 1084th Transportation Company will spend Christmas in Afghanistan.

In an effort to improve the Reserve, La., unit’s morale, Vidalia resident Kathleen Stevens is collecting items to put in care packages for the soldiers.

Stevens said items could be dropped off at the Concordia Chamber of Commerce, any Concordia Bank branch or Reed Insurance — at 107 Cater St. in Vidalia — until July 31.

Stevens encourages Miss-Lou residents to donate the following items:

• handwarmers

• socks

• hunting, fishing or sports magazines

• sunflower seeds

• coffee, sugar and creamer

• playing cards

• deodorant

• shampoo

• aspirin

• lotion

• chewing gum

• other basic food and hygiene items.

Stevens said she hadn’t set a goal to collect but would accept whatever the Miss-Lou community has to offer.

“Every time I have reached out to the community, they have supported everything tremendously,” she said.

Stevens said winters in Afghanistan are excruciatingly cold and encouraged donations that place a special emphasis on the season.

Stevens said she will drive to Reserve and deliver the items.

“It’ll be like Christmas in July,” she said.