Visitors to Chattanooga Market on Sunday have a chance to show their patriotism at the third annual Support Our Troops event.
Each year, the market collects items for a local military unit, said Paul Smith, Chattanooga Market general manager.
"This is perhaps the most touching of all the Sundays we host," he said. "The wives' and mothers' reaction as people give of themselves -- it just makes you pause and think about what is important in your family."
The market will support the National Guard Family Readiness Group (FRG) of the 1-181st field artillery unit based out of Chattanooga, said market spokeswoman Melissa Siragusa, in a news release.
"The Family Readiness Group was established to help the flow of information and provide support to families of the 1-181st unit," she said. "To show local support, the Chattanooga Market, together with the FRG of the 1-181st unit, will be collecting supplies and monetary donations on Sunday that will be mailed to the Chattanooga-based troop, which is currently stationed in the Middle East."
Smith said in the past two years, response to the event has been overwhelmingly positive.
"I always have been so impressed how the great people of Chattanooga display their patriotism," he said. "They understand that giving to these heroes goes so far to let them know how much we care about their sacrifice. The 1-181st is made up completely of local men and women. Help us send them a little taste of home and pray they all make it home."
Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/karennazorhill. Subscribe to her posts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen nazorhill.
If you go
* What: Support Our Troops at Chattanooga Market.
* When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
* Where: Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Reggie White Blvd.
* Admission: Free.
* Phone: 648-2496.
* Website: www.chattanoogamarket.com.
ON THE EPB STAGE
* 12:30 p.m. Jeff Miller and Lon Eldridge
* 2 p.m. Garrett Thorton
DONATION SUGGESTIONS
* Sunflower seeds
* Beef jerky
* Any microwaveable foods (that will only require water)
* Little Debbie snacks
* Powdered drinks or water flavoring
* Socks
* Plastic utensils
* Sheets (twin)
* Towels
* Granola bars
* Razors
* Shampoo
* Soap
* Cotton swabs
* Baby wipes (smaller packs)
* Movies
* Games (computer games or card games)
Source: Chattanooga Market
Feature writer Karen Nazor Hill covers fashion, design, home and gardening, pets, entertainment, human interest features and more. She also is an occasional news reporter and the Town Talk columnist. She previously worked for the Catholic newspaper Tennessee Register and was a reporter at the Chattanooga Free Press from 1985 to 1999, when the newspaper merged with the Chattanooga Times. She won a Society of Professional Journalists Golden Press third-place award in feature writing for ...
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