DEAR READERS: I get asked all the time about what to do with the small toiletries that accumulate when traveling. One hotel stay can yield shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, small packaged soaps, hand lotion, a package or two of coffee, sweeteners and even notepads and pens.
There is a wonderful organization that will be so happy to have the unused, unopened items. They will be boxed up and sent to our troops overseas. Operation: Care and Comfort collects lots of items for troops, but one of them is the toiletries. This is a perfect way to pass on these needed items to our troops. Ask family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and others to save the toiletries for this heartwarming and helpful project. In no time at all, you will have a box full of items ready to go!
They also accept new greeting cards (any occasion) and stickers.
Send the donated items to: Operation: Care and Comfort, 2392 Walden Square, San Jose, Calif., 95124. If you have more questions, you can visit the website at occ-usa.org, or call (408) 373-8635. Please cut this out and put it on your refrigerator or post it at work, and take the time to send some items to a soldier.
DEAR HELOISE: I read the hint about returning vases to the florist - excellent idea. When I give a bouquet, I use a vase that I got with a floral gift.
I put in flowers without water, so all the hostess has to do is add water, and the flowers are ready to display.
- Kathryn in Warren, N.J.
DEAR HELOISE: I have a black sport utility vehicle that looks like a lot of other vehicles. To find it in a parking lot, I have attached a large sunflower to the antenna that sticks out from the back of the hatch. It’s easy to spot.
- Laura Franklin in Houston
DEAR READER: The longtime Heloise hint is to do something similar using a bright-colored tennis ball. Funny story: When this was first printed in the 1960s, within a few days you could not walk out of a grocery store without at least every other vehicle having a tennis ball on its antenna.
DEAR HELOISE: We recently moved, and being tech-challenged, I decided to use my cell phone to take a picture of my TV/cable-box hookups before disconnecting and packing up. It made setting up a breeze!
- A Reader, via e-mail
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio,Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail Heloise@Heloise.com
Style, Pages 32 on 03/19/2013
Print Headline: HELPFUL HINTS
Comments on: HELPFUL HINTS
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