A local business is making it easy to help support America’s heroes during the holidays.

Sip and Send has again coordinated its Holiday for Heroes effort, with the city of Cape Coral once more taking part. In its 10th year, the drive collects supplies for U.S. soldiers serving overseas.

Sip and Send owner Jonette Kessack explained that a young mother came into her store several years ago to mail items to her husband. When she learned what our soldiers go without, Kessack initiated the drive.

“The first year we did 36 boxes and paid for the postage out of our funds,” she said.

The second year, the store reached out to its customers for donations of items and money.

“They just came through tremendously,” Kessack said.

Last year, Sip and Send sent 980 boxes to three bases in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“It’s just blossomed into its own little thing,” she said.

The goal last year was to hit 1,000 boxes.

“We fell just short of it,” Kessack said. “This year, we’ll be well over 1,000.”

Sip and Send has chosen four soldiers serving in three countries – Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa – whose bases will be the recipients of this year’s effort. Three of the soldiers have ties to the Cape.

“We have two helicopter pilots that pilot in and out of the desert,” she said.

“We have one who’s a medic,” Kessack added.

The mother of the third soldier had her daughter and son-in-law previously benefit from the program when they were each overseas. The last soldier is with Special Operations serving in Afghanistan.

As of Tuesday, donations were already coming in at the store.

“We have collected quite a bit,” she said.

Kessack noted that her landlord donated the space next door for storing the items.

“That room is just about full of supplies to be packed,” she said.

Cape Coral High School’s JROTC is helping to pack up the donations.

The store has also received about 200 to 300 boxes from the community that are ready to ship.

The deadline for donations is Wednesday.

“We’re asking that everything comes in by next week,” Kessack said.

Collection bins are at the 10 city fire stations, City Hall and Chester Street Resource Center.

In addition, the Cape Coral Brewing Company also has a collection bin set up.

“We do our mailing the Saturday after Thanksgiving,” she added.

Sip and Send has a list of recommended supplies, including snacks, single-serving sized drinks, toiletries or comfort items, and miscellaneous things, such as boot laces, greeting cards and games.

“They can pack their own boxes,” Kessack said.

“We do encourage everybody who does a box to put a Christmas card or thank you card in the box,” she added.

Other suggestions include high-protein items, powered drink mixes, especially chocolate-flavored, candies, mints and trail mixes, along with toothpaste, body wash, deodorant and foot powder.

“They can bring us whatever they can,” Kessack said.

“Some people just bring a bottle of shampoo because they can,” she added.

Kessack noted that each box costs $16.75 to ship.

“Obviously, one of our biggest needs is money,” she said.

For the first time, Sip and Send has partnered with the Cape Coral Community Foundation to establish the Holiday for Heroes charity fund. To donate to the fund, contact the foundation at 239-542-5594.

For information, call 239-772-1076 or visit: www.sipandsend.com/.

Sip and Send is at 2135 Santa Barbara Blvd.