Firefighter creates holiday cheer for troops abroad

Troops serving overseas will have a small reminder of home this holiday season thanks to the efforts of Nicole Hardman and her fellow Prince George's County firefighters and medics.

Hardman started a countywide effort to collect items that will be shipped to military personnel.

The initiative, Helping Hearts for Troops, aims to bring the comforts of home overseas. Sometimes items, such as packaged foods or a certain brand of shampoo, can help alleviate homesickness and brighten the holidays for the armed forces.

A small group of Prince George's County firefighters have worked to create donation stations at all Prince George's County fire stations. Hardman, a firefighter for the past nine years, is asking the public to donate gifts and toiletries that will be made into care packages and distributed to troops stationed in the Middle East.