Friday night’s Pinecrest football game against New Hanover has been designated Military Night at the John W. Williams Athletic Complex.

In addition to free admission for members of our armed forces, including retired and reserves, Pinecrest freshman Elizabeth O’Brien will be leading the collection of items to be shipped to troops deployed in Afghanistan.

It has been a continuing platform project for the 2012 UNCP Outstanding Teen under the banner “Footlockers for Soldiers” sponsored by Military Missions in action (MMIA).

Aberdeen Elementary and Southern Middle School were involved in recent collection drives, with the winning home room earning a pizza party.

People attending the game are asked to bring toiletry items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, soap and shampoo, etc.; snack items such as gum, sunflower seeds and peanuts; and entertainment items such as magazines and playing cards. Canned goods are not part of the program.

An area with boxes will be set up inside the stadium gate for collection of the items.

O’Brien has been inspired to undertake the project by her father, ISG Matt O’Brien, who has been deployed three times.

Her efforts, combined with the generosity of the community, have resulted in about 100 boxes of items already being sent into the war zones.