The diplomacy achieved through a small toy can help win the war in Afghanistan, said Bob Kopfhamer, and supplying American soldiers with such material items is needed.

"We're asking the people of Portage to open up their hearts for our soldiers, our children. This is the only way we can win the war over there. It's a lot better than bullets," Kopfhamer said.

The 65-year-old is a Vietnam veteran and a member of Portage Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1707 and American Legion Post 47.

A revolving donation project throughout the area, Operation A.F.G.H.A.N. Lift (Aid From the Good Hearted American Nation), will be collecting items for soldiers and Afghan children at the Portage Public Library until Dec. 1. The donation box is behind the circulation desk, noted by a poster above it. But there is a need for more drop-off locations, Kopfhamer said.

"Our main objective is to get these (care items) to our soldiers, and if we can get toys for them to hand out to win over one village, maybe they (local Afghan people) won't be so eager to fight," Kopfhamer said. The care packages for soldiers include daily necessities not provided to them through the military.

The project was co-founded by Jerome Boyer, of Wisconsin Dells, this fall. His son, Jeff, was deployed with the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Bagram, Afghanistan, and has had luck with the diplomacy toys bring, Kopfhamer said.

"He gave a little boy a toy, and he took it home and showed all his friends what the American gave him. One of the al-Qaida locals got wind of it and was going to find this child and punish him," Kopfhamer said. "The father got word of this, and turned him in to our military."

The packages can hold only four items when being sent to the U.S. Army Base and Hospital in Bagram, and shipping costs almost $12 per box. Monetary donations for shipping also are greatly needed, Kopfhamer said.

Recently, the base received 42 packages from Wisconsin Dells in conjunction with the public, local American Legion/VFW, and Women's Auxiliary. All the military posts in the area are in communication, and support, of this effort.

"It started in the Dells around August to September, and they kind of burned out. So, we'll run it for a while, and when we get burnt out, we'll hand it to Baraboo," Kopfhamer said.

For more information about donations, contact Bob Kopfhamer at 697-0095.

jmccoy@capitalnewspapers.com

745-3519

The following items are needed for daily use by soldiers, and as things they can take on patrol and into other areas.

• Baby wipes.

• Foot/body powder.

• Lip balm.

• Sun screen.

• Shaving cream (non-aerosol).

• Razors.

• Large bars of soap.

• Shampoo.

• Travel-size laundry soap.

• Toothbrushes.

• Floss.

• White athletic socks.

• Gum.

• Crystal Light beverage. powder, single servings.

• Trail mix/nuts.

• Tea/hot chocolate.

• Hard candy.

•Beef jerky.

• Slim Jims.

• International calling cards.

The following are for Afghan children injured in crossfire, by improvised explosive devices or by land mines. Doctors and nurses hand out small toys and gifts to children between 3 and 12 in the field hospitals. Items can be gently used.

• Small toy cars/trucks.

• Small dolls.

• Small stuffed animals.

• Coloring books.

• Hand-held computer games.

• Crayons.

• Picture books.

• Lollipops.

• Raisins.

• Nuts.

• Gloves/mittens.

• Socks.

• Hats.

• Shoes.

• Small hand mirrors.

• Juvenile toiletries.

• Combs and brushes.