The ISU College Republicans will be holding a collection this week to gather items for care packages to send to U.S. troops overseas this Christmas.

The organization will be running the collection 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday from and then again from 5 – 8 p.m. The collection site is at the foot of the stairs by the Memorial Union’s revolving door on the west entrance.

“A small gesture really goes a long way,” said Jason Covey, chairman of the ISU College Republicans and junior in political science.

Last year, the group sent baked goods and homemade cards to troops for the holidays. This year’s drive will create care packages as part of a state-wide collection drive that will send the packages to Iowa troops overseas.

The items requested for the drive are small bags of cookies or chips — large ones collect dust or get crushed in transit — jerkey, playing cards, socks and any other small non-perishable item that can provide comfort or stress-relief.

The ISU College Republicans do not have any other charity events planned so far, but Covey said the group is always looking for suggestions.