Blankets for troops in Afghanistan

Taylor Batten, a 15-year-old Mendon High School student, is conducting a drive for blankets to send to the troops in Afghanistan.

Batten, an honorary Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) for the United States Marine Corps, will be collecting blankets until November 30th.

The blankets can be gently used or new.

Donations are also being accepted to go toward shipping.

Batten says, “It is getting to be very cold over there now and our troops need our support from home.”

Blankets can be dropped off at the following locations:

• Mendon Post Office

• Mendon NAPA store

• Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce

• American Legion Post 170 in Three Rivers

• And the UAW 20-93 Hall on Hoffman Road, Three Rivers.

For more information, call (269) 278-1213, e-mail marinemomb@hotmail.com, or visit Taylor Batten’s blog at www.proudyoungamerican.blogspot.com

The Applebee’s restaurants in Three Rivers and Sturgis are participating in a “Dining to Donate” promotion on Tuesday (November 24th) from 11 a.m. until closing in support of the blanket drive. Dine at either Applebee’s and 20 percent of your bill will be donated to the Blankets for the Troops project. The coupon needed to participate in the Applebee’s promotion can be obtained via Taylor Batten’s blog.