UTICA — Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-119, Marcy, is partnering with the Utica Comets, the Central New York Veterans Outreach Center, local American Legions and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, and the Oneida Herkimer Solid Waste Authority to assist members of the New York National Guard who will be stationed overseas during the holiday season.

The organizations are collecting snacks and non-perishable items for the men and women of the New York National Guard 2-108th-Charlie and Alpha Companies and 1st of 69th. Collection bins will be available in the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium during the Comets home games on Oct. 21, 28, and 29; and Nov. 2 and 5, as well as regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Among the items the soldiers have requested include nuts, candy, meals that can be prepared with hot water, beef jerky, and tuna in a pouch, among others.

“It’s tough to be away from home, and it’s especially difficult when it’s during the holiday season,” said Buttenschon. ”With the help of the Utica Comets and our local veteran’s organizations, we hope to collect and ship a variety of non-perishable snacks and candy to our New York National Guard serving overseas. We want them to know we are thankful for their efforts and grateful for their service to our country.”

“The Utica Comets and the Adirondack Bank Center are pleased to partner with Assemblywoman Buttenschon and our local Veterans Outreach Center in supporting the men and women serving our state and our country. As a veteran, I understand the importance of receiving these types of gifts while deployed overseas – a little taste of home goes a long way for those sacrificing so much for our country’s freedom,” said Rick Redmond, general manager of the Adirondack Bank Center.

“The hardest part of a deployment is always being so far away from home and your loved ones, being away during the holidays makes the experience so much worst but, nothing brings a smile to a soldier’s face more than packages from home! I am sure grateful that we are able to do this for service members” said Vincent Scalise, founder and executive director of The Utica Center for Development.

The Assemblywoman and Central New York Veterans Outreach Center will ship the donations the first week of November with the plan that the packages arrive just before Christmas.