CT Navy Moms' 1st Packing Party

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

June marks the official beginning of summer so let’s have a

YELLOW AND BLUE BARBECUE

      Our June adoption is for a “crazy crew” of ABHs aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington CVN73. 

     The ABHs (Aviation Boatswain’s Mate – Handling) are the yellow shirts and blue shirts on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.

     They launch and recover aircraft and work extremely long hours covering day and night flights.  Things get pretty hot working around “the birds” and this crew needs a bit of summertime fun to lift their spirits!  Bulk boxes filled with the ingredients for a fun summer picnic or barbecue would be great for this group!

     Based in Yokosuka, Japan, they are currently on patrol.  The ABH crew consisting of 165 males and 22 females.

They are requesting:

Food

beef jerkey, slim jims

energy/protein bars,breakfast bars, Pop Tarts, mini boxes of cereal, granola bars

dried fruit, canned fruit (easy open tops)

canned soup, cup of soup, tuna (in pouch or pop top can)

crackers, rice krispy treats, sunflower seeds, chips, pretzels, bean dip, cheese dip

cookies (any kind would be great) Jolly Ranchers, Smarties, Sweet Tarts, hard candy, gum

seasoning salt, hot sauce

Gatorade type mix for water bottles as well as the water bottles with straps

First Aid / Personal Care

aloe vera burn gel, lip balm, moisturizing/cleansing eye drops, saline nasal spray, throat drops

vaseline blister care, flexible & cloth bandages, surgical masks, bug repellent, pocket tissues

no-water aspirins, vitamins, cotton swabs, nail clippers, eye glass wipes, Avon Skin So Soft

"hoo-ahh" brand unscented pre-moistened field towels, waterless antibacterial soap, sunscreen

strong flashlight & batteries, air freshener, tablet laundry detergent, perfume, cologne

brushes, combs, foot powder, disposable razors, non aerosol shaving cream, deodorant

Fashion

cooling neck bands, good quality sunglasses, bandanas, black boot socks, padded insoles

Fun

deck of cards, DVDs, Nerf balls, and a big YES to pillowcases.

 

     I know that their list is long but these sailors really take a beating up there on the flight deck so let's send them some fun with a 

YELLOW AND BLUE BARBECUE

Please mail packages between June 23rd and June 26th.  Thank you!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I apologize for the length.  Just a lot of info to get out at the start.  Maybe you can "wade" through it in spurts.  Again, I'm sorry.

The attachments include a letter written by a girl in a local Girl Scout troop.  MAIL IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO INCLUDE.  So, even if you can't purchase things, you can write notes, cards, letters, even postcards.  Remember: the things we send will be eaten or used up, but mail will be saved and read and re-read.

2) The UMass/Lowell cheerleaders approached up about getting involved.  They ended up able to have their own party and the MA Moms just helped with filling out the paperwork.

#3 is the suggestion list.  It is an fyi or guideline.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone.

[MJ~ Erik's mom]

Count me in! I have had several smaller packing parties at my house and have been an ombudsman for each one. 

Would love to meet some more Navy moms in my area.  I live in Wethersfield, CT., just south of Hartford. i'd be happy to host at my house....let's talk!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

OK, I will PM you my cell and you can call me whenever.  This week is a little hectic, but managable.  Tues. I have PT at noon, Wed. I'll be home packing, Thurs. you won't be able to reach me (I'll tell you why not later), and Fri. I will be back home.

MJ, are you also in Molly's Adopt A Sailor?  Just wondering.  When I was trying to catch up on what I'd missed I thought Diane mentionned something about P.P.s in CT.

Talk to you soon.

Hugs,

Donna

[MJ~ Erik's mom]

Donna, I am most definitely a proud MAS volunteer!  I am hooked! I will try to catch up with you later in the week.  Thanks!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I thought I sent you my cell with a friend request.  Maybe I clicked the wrong thing?  I'll try again.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

MJ, I just went to your page and where it used to say "Send Friend Request" it now says "Remove as friend".  I think if you check your list of Inbox Friends you want to send a message to you should find me.

I absolutely love being a Molly's Momma!!  I joined 3 years ago and like you said I am hooked too.  I just recently was asked to work as co-coordinator with Kimmy on SH.  Being a nurse myself, the CSHs are a real soft spot for me!

Actually I think if I didn't have MAS and SH I never would have made it this far in my son's second deployment!!  It has kept me so busy and that is just was us Navy Moms need.  Still, I can't wait for his homecoming.  Soon.  (Just not soon enough.)

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

June 2 doesn't give us much time.

@ MJ, what do you think of the 9th??  And by the way, you should continue as CT Mom's ombudsman since you already know your way around!!! 

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Looks like we are going to go with June 9th.  Time and place still TBD.

But time now to get started getting the word out and inviting other CT Moms and family/friends.  We should know by the end of the week who we will be sending the packages too and within a couple days of that a "theme" (if any) will be chosen.

Again I want to encourage anyone interested to join the group "Molly's Adopt A Sailor".  When the announcement is made it will be in the discussion section with June 2012 somewhere in the title.  This will help if you just want to get a quick start & not have to wait for MJ or I to put it here in the discussion.

[CTmomof3]

Oh darn, I won't be back till the 11th. :(

[Marlene]

I could see if my church would allow us to use our Great Room for a packing party.  It's in Windsor, CT (near Bradley Int'l Airport).

I could probably put a blurb in the local paper for donations for items and seek volunteers to help. 

I could hit up some local businesses for donations as well as solicit Walmart, CVS, Walgreens etc for stuff.

Let me know what an ambudsmans role is - I might be interested in that!

[Valtameri]

I am interested in helping out, but I might not be available on the 9th. I am making plans with another Brownie troop to take our girls on a hike, and it looks like June 9th is the day for that.

[diane {Shawns mom}]

Wow I see NYPD you have been a busy lady!

I received a google alert and just had to stop on by and check it out!

I saw a mom mention "GIRLSCOUTS"/"BROWINE"....this is awesome!

We work with the Girl Scouts all the time! Especially during "cookie season"

Bring them along.......sure to be tons of FUN♥