Service people stationed in other countries soon will receive packages from Gahanna, thanks to local people who formed a group on Facebook.

"It's nice that they get something from home," said Ann (Conrad) Kim, one of the original organizers.

The Gahanna Lincoln Alumni Supporting the Troops site on Facebook started out as just an idea and has grown to include 190 members, who are now forming a nonprofit organization. The nonprofit group will be called Gahanna Alumni Supporting the Troops.

"It's very overwhelming," Kim said. "There are so many people getting involved."

Kim said the group would have its first packing party Nov. 20. Members are accepting donations individually and at The Pub, 207 W. Johnstown Road. A contact at The Pub confirmed there is a box for items, along with a list of items needed.

Right now, Kim said the two most popular items are Tootsie Rolls and Fruit Roll-Ups.

"We got a list of items from the commanding officer for where my son is," she said.

Kim is the proud parent of two soldiers: Douglas Cameron, 30, who served as a staff sergeant for the U.S. Army, and Tyler Wellman, 25, who is serving in Iraq as a specialist in the Ohio Army National Guard. She also had a brother who served in Vietnam.

That's how Kim got started in the project, with family connections. But she soon learned that military personnel touch so many other lives.

"I've got a classmate who graduated in '79 also serving, Dr. Scott Russi," she said.

Russi is the chief of surgery at Shamrock Combat Hospital in Afghanistan. He has his own project started: He collects shoes for children in Afghanistan.

"He's got two videos of the trauma unit on YouTube," she said. "You look under Shamrock Block."

Right now, Kim and her group are collecting a variety of food and personal items for the troops, including: beef jerky, ground coffee, powder drink mixes, chocolate and snaps like hard pretzels, Cheetos, Chex Mix, Wheat Thins and Ritz crackers. Troops also are requesting hand sanitizer, body wash, shampoo and hair gel.

Full lists are posted on the Facebook site -- Gahanna Lincoln Alumni Supporting the Troops -- under the discussion header.

Kim said she was told by her son's commander that packages will take three to five weeks to ship. She's trying to get at least three finished and ready to mail this week.

"We're trying to get out as much as we can for the holidays," she said.

Though one of the packing parties already is scheduled, Kim said the group will have more.

"We're going to be doing this hopefully for a long time," she said.

The Pub accepts items during regular business hours, noon to 2:30 a.m. daily.

Kim said all posts are currently placed on the Facebook site. Once the group's nonprofit status is approved, she said they will create a Web site, containing information on items needed, packing parties and other meetings. The site also will have information on where to send donations.