Because of the overwhelming generosity of the community, the Ohio National Guard's Family Readiness Program is shifting its request from care-package items for soldiers to items for families of deployed service members. More than 3,000 Ohio National Guard members are deployed performing Operations Noble Eagle or Iraqi Freedom.

Items requested to support the families include: phone cards, gas cards, grocery or movie gift certificates, disposable cameras, stationery/postcards and postage.

Ohioans who have already purchased such items can take them to the Family Assistance Center, 4100 Reading Road, North Avondale. Information: David Chrzanowski at (866) 278-5757.