March is here!

[Sue-Pillowcase lady]

I have been in touch with several of my military contacts and have heard back from a couple. 

group 1: forward medical unit in the Afghanistan.   200:  25 sailors, 175 Marines. 15 female. 

3-10-10 update - I will mail the balance of 20 on 3-11-10.  thanks for your help!

 

group 2:  This batch of whatever number we send is going to Afghanistan also.  Dawn is a civilian employee who is retired Air Force.  This is what she said today: 

Did you want the address of a unit or did you want to send them to me to distribute to the female soilders?  Unfortunately there are no all female units.  I will be heading out to some smaller forward operating bases (FOBs) on the front lines once a month and think the pillow cases would make more of an impact there as little luxuries are non-exixtant.  Whichever you prefer.  Also, if you have any bakers...they love fresh baked goods!

 

So mailing to her is the way to go for a personal delivery. Just general ones for now, as I don't know what services she will visit as yet.   I know many of you just mailed, but if you want to send some to this group, email me for the address. 

[Sue-Pillowcase lady]

no not right now. She said she'd let me know.

But I could use your help with the NG unit that Michele is in contact with. Check out the June etc page for details. and thank you!

FYI, I do write back to everyone who emails us a thank you note. pretty much what Dawn posted. you didn't have to put that in there. Dori often writets too and I always hope the mom writes. Isn't it fun to put a name with a specific pc?

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I will be mailing soon. I had said I'd send 12 but may have more. I went back to work and it sure doesn't make it easy anymore to get my sewing done, but it does help pay for fabric, postage and goodies for our troops.

We are suppose to have 70 degree weather today and tomorrow get 6 to 12 inches of snow with blizzard like conditions, soooo I should get lots more pc finished this weekend. Gotta love Oklahoma weather!

[Sue-Pillowcase lady]

That'sgreat Kim. If you can walk thru the blizzard, then you can go to the PO. haha. I didn't realize you lived in a small town.

I mailed 20 pillowcases, pumpkin bread and seeds, and cornflake cookies to Dawn today. That makes a total of 100 sent so far.

I heard from Joe, the man who gave me her name, that he has received glowing reports from her about the pcs. Said that lots of soldiers have smiles on their faces.

[Sue-Pillowcase lady]

I got this yesterday. This batch went to Dawn. I will post more later today or tomorrow. This group has written a bunch of thank yous

Just wanted to send a note to the folks who made the great pillow-case I am now using. It was made by Pat and I love it. I am from Naval Officer from Lynchburg, VA serving in Afghanistan and knowing that I have something sent from home puts a smile on my face. Especially when I heard it was sent from Virginia by Navy mom’s. (:

Really just wanted to say thank you and let you know that your efforts go a long way to support the troops and are appreciated.
Sincerely,
Wilson
CDR USN
Kabul, Afghanistan

[Sue-Pillowcase lady]

Over the weekend, 4 or 5 email thank you's came in. I will get them posted. Cathy (Matt's Mom) did you take pictures of your's? This is from Dawn's group.

I'm a Department of the Army government civilian, retired Air Force
MSGT, serving in Afghanistan for a year. I’ve been in Iraq 3 times
over the last four years and this is my first tour in Afghanistan.

Yesterday a co-worker brought me a bright orange plaid pillowcase so
kindly made by Cathy in Texas. It brightens up a drab
room and makes me think of pleasant sunny days…creature comforts here
in theater are very much appreciated. The fact that your organization
does this for folks serving over here is amazing and I just wanted to
drop a note and thank you for taking the time and keeping us (military
and civilians alike) in your thoughts.

With much appreciation,
Ms. Sumyr

[Sue-Pillowcase lady]

This is the 3rd email that I had from Fred. I always write back to the thank you note writers and sometimes we chat a bit more. I did pass the original one onto my friend Pat in VA.
Pat/Sue,

Here are the photos that I promised you. If it looks like I live in a
box, it's because I do. The newer residence buildings are pre-fab
shipping containers basically, that are converted to living quarters.
It's not so bad.

I really appreciate what you all are doing for the deployed service
members. So many folks are supportive of the troops and want to know
what they can do. What I tell them is just to care and send someone
some greetings. These pillowcases are such a nice gesture. Everyone
needs a place to lay their head down at the end of the day and to have a
little bit of home to lay on is very comforting.

I want Pat to know that my favorite part of this pillow is the heart.
When I saw the heart I felt it was like a letter that was "sealed with a
kiss".

This is my second tour in Afghanistan. My first combat experience was
in the Navy in Vietnam on coastal patrol and interdiction. What they
call the "brown-water Navy". So this deployment is closing out my
military career. March 27 will be my 40 year service anniversary. The
first eight years (Navy) were active duty. I have been in the National
Guard in Tennessee for 32 years.

[Tamara]

Wow, the letter and picture gives me some perspective on how much our military men and women sacrifice to keep me safe at night.

Sue, you have started a good thing. Thank you.

The pillowcase is lovely and brightens up the room.

[Dawn ~]

I love seeing these messages first thing in the morning!! What a way to start a day!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

How do you ladies put the hearts on the cases? I haven't started to do that yet. Would we like to have them on all of them? I can figure out something if I need to.

[LLovesmysailor]

My machine embrioders hearts on the pillowcases. Others sew them on and some people draw them on with a red fabric pen.

[Dawn ~]

Kim, I either draw them on with fabric marker or (when I can find them on sale or have a coupon) I use the iron on ones. But I do put a heart on all of them. I borrowed that idea from Sue when I first started making cases.

[Sue-Pillowcase lady]

I handle so many pillowcases that I just forget about it until I am packing. Usually running behind, so just don't do it. I should put a heart on when they come in-that's a novel idea. haha. especially since I bought some fabric markers and just draw now.

Dawn, have you had any feedback from your interview? It will come. I got a call from a lady 2 month after mine-and all she saw was the promo, but she tracked me down and wants to donate fabric.