JULY Adoption - Chilling Out!

[Lorraine]

Our JULY adoption is a group of 141 sailors, airmen, and soldiers stationed in Afghanistan – 126 males and 15 females.

 

Our theme is ‘CHILLING OUT’ and we hope to bring some relief to their hot environment by sending some items that cool or bring cooler temps to mind. They live in rooms much like a dorm with power, microwaves, and a fridge with freezer, so any kind of food can be accepted. The summer temperature runs in the high 90’s and can hit the 130’s so this group needs some “cool” things for chilling out.

 

TOP PRIORITIES: DRINK MIX (including MIO), COOKIES, GUMMY BEARS AND LETTERS. Some of them have not received any mail so let’s make sure we send letters (including local newspapers, pics of your town/area, jokes)

 

Here are some “COOL” ideas to help them through the heat and have some fun:

• Cooling towels and neck bands (see note in Pages on making your own bands)
• Powdered drink mixes (Sam’s Club has large Gatorade and Arizona Tea canisters). This group specifically requested a drink mix called MIO.
• Water balloons, squirt guns, water bomb splash balls, and mist bottles/ fans, small ice cube trays (with fun shapes)
• Baby wipes/pre-moistened cleansing wipes
• Flavorice (freezer pops) and Jell-O (does someone have a finger Jell-O recipe to send along?)
• Noxema, aloe, lip balm and burn gel
• Canned fruit (Sam’s Club has boxes of easy open single servings)
• Hard candy (like Jolly Ranchers, Smarties, Sweet Tarts, Skittles, cool burst gum)

 

Other welcome items:

• Coffee, sweetener, creamer
• DVD’s, books and puzzle books (maybe some with a water or beach theme?)
• Games, magazines, writing pads/pens
• Beef jerky
• Energy/protein bars
• Dried fruit, nuts, trail mix, sunflower seeds
• Microwaveable soups/cakes/meals/Easy Mac
• Canned meat (tuna, chicken), Mayo, Miracle Whip
• Snacks (popcorn, pretzels, etc.)
• Wet Mop refills, laundry detergent, air freshener, lotion (like Vaseline for Men)

Personal Care – They have a BX with most of the needed items but you can certainly include some items if you wish like sun screen, non-aerosol deodorant, dental supplies, Mach3 razors, eye drops, air freshener, flameless candles, cough drops, foot powder

Pillowcases accepted - Nancy will send the girl cases this month plus 55 cases from the Rocky Cross church, so we will only need 75 more. Please go to the WSL (We Stitch Love) discussion to add into the pillowcase count. Completed - thanks!

 

Shipping Dates: July 23-25 – address will be posted in mid-July. Boxes will be bulk (specify if female only) and don’t forget the letters. Let’s help these sailors, airmen, and soldiers “Chill Out” this summer.   Thank you!                

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

Today the Auxiliary showed me a small pile of items they've received so far--popcorn, some canned goods, jerky, lots of small shampoos and lotions, recent magazines, and I don't know what else.  I also picked up the money from Walgreen's and bought 56 Mach 3 Razors, 16 Venus razors.  Some people donated the larger drink mixes, so I'm sending a box this week to my son that has a gallon pitcher.  

[Lorraine]

Great job, Ladies. I'm confident there will be plenty to go around when our packages get to the July group!

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

I was asked to speak to a small group of home extension ladies today (nothing military related), and to my surprise, they'd seen the article in the newspaper.  I have another big pile of donations from them!  One of them just handed me money.  Then I got a call to come pick up a check tomorrow at the Milan, IL, Legion.  Going to take a nap now!

 

[Laura]

Ruth - as a side note, Brides Across America is absolutely wonderful!  My son's fiance went to the one held near our town in Illinois and was able to get a beautiful designer gown and veil in the style that she loves!

Nicely done with this month's adoption!  I haven't packed my box yet so if you are missing any requested items let me know and I will add it to my box.

[Lorraine]

Ruth, You have been very busy this month! I hope you get to rest after the mailing next week :-0

Laura, I'm sure the group can still use eye drops, lip balm, and Ruth's son specifically requested Vaseline Lotion for Men. I think the gummy bears, drink mixes, and cookies are still a good idea. I included some envelopes and pens in my boxes but didn't have any writing pads. I'm sure whatever you send will be well received. Thank you for helping this month.

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

Since I didn't know about the Vaseline Lotion for Men, I went to the Walgreen's that's been so good to us and bought four big bottles on sale this week--the store brand, but exactly the same thing.  They also have small tubes for $ .99.  I have no idea what we have and what we don't at this point!  And I don't know what's coming on Sunday as donations, but I think we'll have a lot.  My husband picked up a check at the Milan Legion tonight for $20 made out to MAS that I will give to Pat on Sunday.  I just need to get the forms printed now and start filling out custom forms. 

 

[Lorraine]

Thanks, Ruth. I think this group is going to be well blessed when those boxes arrive. They will receive some of everything on the list. Shipping Monday thru Wednesday next week, everyone. Thanks for all your tremendous efforts!

[Lorraine]

I mean this week :-)

[heidil]

what is the address I just filled up a box and I will overnight it on Monday

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

It's on the MAS group page, heidi.  Thanks for packing a box!

[Lorraine]

Thanks, Heidi. No need to overnight it. You can use any box -- or the best deal is the postal large flat rate box because they give $2 off. The address is posted on the Molly Adopt a Sailor Project page. scroll down just a little to the link Click Here for Adoptees ADDRESS. Then scroll down to our July adoption and click on it for the address. This process provides a bit of security for the group. If you have any trouble, read the page New Moms--Read this first. Or reply back here and I will get more info for you. The preferred shipping dates are July 23-25. Thanks again for filling a box. Hope to see you back here in August for the next adoption.

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

Talked today to the contact for this month's adoption, my son!  He told me that he's got a shipping container ready for all the boxes to be stored as they come in.  When he thinks they're all there, his office will put out posters and an email to everyone to gather somewhere for the big surprise of an unpacking party. 

I don't think I mentioned that his little girls and I stopped at Gigi's Playhouse, a Down Syndrome Awareness Center yesterday.  The kids made a huge poster with pictures they drew (lots of flags!) and also photographs of themselves with their tutors.  It is just darling!  Also have to post a picture of a poster at the Paul Mitchell Academy I saw yesterday.