Since Nov. 5, K2 Solutions Inc. has been holding its second annual K2 Cans, Coats and Cash Drive to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sandhills and the Moore County Coalition.

Collection sites for this four-week drive include Panera Bread, Mellow Mushroom, Trident Marketing, Watch My Wag and Sport Clips. Any non--perishable food items and gently used or new coats are welcome and needed.

The drive continues through Dec. 7.

New to this year's food drive is a -partnership with the Reindeer Fun Run, which will be held Dec. 1 in Aberdeen, as they and K2 both work to support the Boys and Girls Clubs in the area.

In addition to the four-week drive, K2 Solutions will also be collecting goods and cash on race day at the K2 booth to stock the Boys and Girls Clubs kitchens through the winter.

Donated cash will go toward keeping the Aberdeen location open through the summer months.

In 2011, The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sandhills provided more than 26,000 meals and served more than 2,000 -members in our community. Funding for these programs comes in large part from donations and fundraising efforts. The Reindeer Fun Run is the Clubs' single largest fundraiser and has raised more than $77,000 in the last 5 years.

The goal for the K2 Solutions and Reindeer Fun Run partnership in this year's K2 Cans, Coats and Cash drive is to increase the cash donation and to -provide enough goods for the season. It is a lofty but attainable goal with the -community's help.

"The sixth annual Reindeer Fun Run is going to be bigger and better than ever," says David Petsholt, chief marketing -officer at Trident Marketing and -rganizer of the Reindeer Fun Run. "There will be more fun, more surprises and more -support for a very worthy charity. This year, we are especially excited to be -partnering with K2 Solutions to further our support of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sandhills through the K2 Cans, Coats and Cash campaign."

As one of the largest employers in the area, K2 Solutions is committed to its mission of continued service, not just to the country at large, but to its own -community here in the Sandhills. With outreach efforts such as the Special Operations Warrior Foundation golf -tournament and events that support other veteran organizations, K2 is -similarly dedicated to reaching its -neighbors and friends with the K2 Cans, Coats, and Cash drive in partnership with the Reindeer Fun Run event.

Those interested in participating are encouraged to drop off goods at any of the five participating businesses: Panera Bread, Mellow Mushroom, Trident Marketing, Watch My Wag and Sport Clips. Cash donations will also be -accepted at the K2 Booth on race day, Dec. 1.

About K2 Solutions Inc.

Founded in 2003, K2 is a defense -contractor with facilities and offices in Southern Pines, Derby and Jacksonville, N.C., Albany, Ga., and Twentynine Palms, Calif. With nearly 300 employees and nearly 280 located in the immediate Sandhills area, K2 provides a variety of services to the Department of Defense, as well as commercial and private -industry, including research and -development, training for Special Operations Forces and other public -safety entities; subject matter experts in counter-IED technologies and combat training; intelligence, programs of instruction for assessment and selection functions, logistics support services, and canine and handler training.

For more information, visit www.k2si.com.