February 2011 packing party

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

 

 

 

 

Well MA Navy Moms, we couldn't pull off a January packing party, but we ARE going to have one in February.  It will be Sat., Feb. 12th at 1:30 pm  Tami will be our hostess.  She lives in Lowell, MA.  So this is a different area of the state and we hope to see some new Moms there.  Send her a personal message to get her address and phone number.  Her member name is  Tamijzr07 'Ship14 Div190' .

It will be the same format as before - bring the items you have collected to be sent, we will provide boxes, labels & custom forms.  Also, bring a snack to share.  Tami will have coffee, tea & punch.

And now some info about Feb.'s adoptees:  They are from the USS Kearsage and there are 1,028 on board.  The chaplain gave the following items from their 'wish list':

• BEEF JERKY!
• Sunflower seeds
• Single packet drinks
• Coffee / powdered creamers / sweetners
• Personal hygiene products
• DVDs
• Board games (the portable kind)
• NO HARD CANDY OR CHOCOLATES

 I still have labels & custom forms.  I also started picking up boxes.  If anyone wants to go to their post office and get a few just make sure they are the large ones and have Priority Mail AND Flat Rate printed on them.

Don't forget to write a note to put in every box, if possible.  I also thought that since it is Feb. and the SuperBowl and Valentine's Day are in Feb. we could make that a theme for our boxes.  Maybe a couple of us can pick up the Valentine's Day cards that come in a package that kids give out at school.  Also, Hallmark has the 99 cents cards.  Since we don't know who will be in the SuperBowl, maybe include some snacks that would be served at a SuperBowl party.

Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated, so let's get the discussion going...

Please add your RVSP/response to this discussion.

Thanks,

Donna

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Please take a minute to read the comment I left on MA Navy Moms.  I don't want to repeat myself, and annoy you, so if you read it there you'll be ahead of the game.  We want to send lots and lots of mail to this group.  Cards, notes, postcards (of our snow??!!), letters - whatever you'd like to do.  Tami and I want to fill at least a med. size shipping box with just mail.  So break out your writing materials, Moms.

PS  You can get 6-8 Valentine cards (w/colored envelopes) in CVS, Rite-Aid & Stop and Shop for $2.99.  I'm going to look for anything with colored envelopes.  Do not forget to put your email address in your note, you just might get an answer!  And if you do, make sure you post it so everyone gets to read it.  That way everyone can enjoy hearing.  What we do as a group is just that for the group.  So even if you write one letter, you are part of the whole project and you might be the only one who gets a response.  Just leave out anything that could possibly jeopardize security (like names, location - well, you know the drill.)

Thanks!  See some of you next week.

[Central Mass Mom]

Donna, you mentioned the cafe on the USS Kearsarge is being set up by a chaplain. If it is possible to get the chaplains name and address to send to I can submit it to get a case of military camo covered devotional books sent there. But they must go directly to a chaplan. And they are free..you can PM me if you are able to get this.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Let me see what I can find out.  I think he may just be our contact on the USS Kearsarge, but I'll do my best to track down his name and addy for you.  That would be so great!!

I've got our church's 2 youth groups writing cards and letters so we can fill hopefully several boxes with mail.  I also checked with the Christian school at our church and the principal is going to present it to the teachers.  Hopefully I will have the school's mail by the end of the day on Friday, but I think the youth group will take a bit longer.  Oh well...

But let me get on this for you.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Hey MOMS, anyone still looking for things for our packing party?  I just went out to several supermarkets - Stop and Shop and Shaw's.  They will give you a gift card for $25 to spend in the store.  I got 2 and have a promise of 2 more.  So I bought flavored coffee, Starbucks (yes, they do sell it in Stop & Shop - I never knew that).  I also got some flavored powdered creamers, hope they will work as well as liquids!  And I got some individual drink packs, the kind you can add to a bottle of water.  I also checked out some other things while I waited for my gift card.  They have card games too.  Several different games in fact.  So you don't have to just pick up more coffee, you can buy snacks or games too.

So, write a letter or pm me and I'll send you a copy of mine and you can just edit it and go ask for some freebies.

I also went to Dunkin' Donuts and Honeydew.  Have to go back tomorrow to pick items up.  DD said they will always support things that go to the troops.  Good to know.

There you go -- have fun and gather some free stuff while you are at it!!  Just introduce yourself from Molly's Adopt a Sailor, a national non-profit & you are part of MA Navy Moms who work with them.  Tell them a little about the Kearsage, and ask them for a gift in kind of ___ whatever you want.  Make sure they know you want a gift in kind (a nice way of asking for free stuff) so you aren't stuck paying for something you hadn't planned on.  If they say no, just say well maybe next time.

One last thing, get the manager's name (or asst. mgr.'s name) and write them a quick thank you.  It'll help smooth the way for next time we need something.

Need any help, call me or pm me and I'll call you.  Or I can send you a copy of what I used to ask for stuff.

[Tamijzr07]

Donna, your the best! Your really on top of this:)

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Thanks, but so are everyone else.  This is an "us" project!!  And on top of everything else you are our hostess, so thanks to you.

[Tamijzr07]

MA Packing Party!!!! February 12, 2011

[Tamijzr07]

I guess I have to re set the date on my camera.....Oops :)

[Tamijzr07]

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

You guys look good!!!