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

[Central Mass Mom]

Hi all...I have been among the missing around here lately, but all of you and your Sailors have been in my thoughts and prayers. I would like to go to this get together, but would really like a travel buddy for the ride. Is there anyone that wants to go and can meet me in the Charlton area for the ride to Lowell?? 

Hi Donna, How are you...I think of you so often and would love to see you again:)

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Pam,

Did you get the message from Jennifer?  She'd like to carpool with you.  She and Bill will be coming so maybe you can hook up with them.  I hope so.  I think of you often and how you got me started with N4M & I've missed you.

By the way you can use my home email address again.  Got a message from Admin this morning.  How come the crazy stuff lands on my head so often?  And, do not suggest it is due to being blonde (got a few blonde jokes this AM!).  Soon enough I'll have to list color as gray, then I won't get any more jokes ... you think??

Talk to you soon,

Donna

[Kathy (AOMom)]

Donna, I sent you a reply to the email. So excited, I live in the next town over from Lowell....will definitely be there for this one.

[Jennifer]

hi

i usually view these on my iPhone and when I respond it sometimes goes through....sometimes it doesn't.  frustrating.  anyway, Bill and I can stop in Charlton on our way through if that is helpful.  i heard from my sailor earlier this week and it sounds like he will be heading to a much safer spot in the world this summer.  at least I think it's safer....it is a least a place I will visit!  he is excited because after almost two years in one spot he will get to try a new place.  i wonder if he'll ever be posted to a ship?  seems weird that he could spend so many years in the Navy and never leave dry ground! 

anyway, hopefully we will have a good sized group for the 12th.  I will also swing by my local post office and pick up some boxes/customs form.  The postal worker there is always very helpful whenever I tell him where the boxes are going...he's a vet himself.

Jennifer

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

That would be great, Jennifer, if you can pick up some boxes & labels.  When I went to Plainville, the clerk gave me a pile of customs forms that I think will last us for a couple of packing parties!  I know we will need some mailing labels.  I picked up 10 boxes.  Just be sure you pick up the large size & that it says Priority Mail Flat Rate.  The flat rate is important.  (I had to repack14 of our 30 boxes from last time because they didn't say flat rate!!  I surely won't make that mistake again.)

I'm so excited you and Bill are coming.  I think I will broach the subject with my husband again - maybe tomorrow when he is not working.  He works Sun-Thurs, so he treats Sat as his day before heading back to the routine.

My son is stationed on dry land, too, but he does pilot a boat.  Not the ones that look like toys for the tub or pool (looks like air is pumped into a big rubber raft with an engine), but one with some nice big guns.  I feel better since he has some metal around him and some big weapons on board.  I'm happier too since he can now fire at his discretion instead of having to call in to command and wait for an order to fire.  He says he is happier now that he can order the guns fired and protect his men and boat.  I guess they usually don't give reservists that choice, but he's made PO first class & they probably figure he is a cop and has had training there as well on when and when not to fire.  Either way, he's happier & Mom breathes a tiny bit easier

[Rebecca Cox]

Donna,

 

I live in Lowell and would love to attend please let me know where in Lowell.   I will see if our student council might be willing to help collect some of the items on the list.  I teach in Lowell and though our population is very poor many of the kids are into helping service men.

 

Becky

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Hi Becky!  I am so looking forward to meeting you.  If you think of it please bring along a picture of your sailor - we display them so that we can start to get to know each other's children.

It would be great if you could get some of the items donated.  Also, notes and letters are BIG items to include.  Since the packages will arrive in Feb. I am going to get some Valentine cards to distribute among the boxes, too.  Feel free to use the idea with your students.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Becky,

Just double-checking, did you get Tami's addy?  If not let me know and I will PM it to you.  It would be terrible if we didn't get to meet you because of a simple thing like lack of an address.

See you Saturday,

Donna

[Central Mass Mom]

Hi to all Navy Moms!

I have found out that my annual Womens get together at our chuch is the same day as the packing party...didn't realize that! Wish I could be two places at the same time. I will be packing a box to send to the group we are supporting. Thanks Jennifer for offering to ride together. Have a fun time getting together and supporting our troops!

[Priscilla]

Hello Donna.  For some reason I am unable to get through to Tami.  I thought you ay be able to help me or forward the info to her.  My daughter and I are planning on attending the packing party in February.  I need the location so we can find our way!!  Also, my daughter is going to see if her school will have the children do up Valentines for the sailors--I know they will be belated, but their little hearts will be behind them!  I am also planning on asking a couple of our local businesses to donate some of the items on the list or anything else that would be appropriate.  Do not hesitate to let me know if there is anything else we need.  I will try to do anything for our sailors!!

 

Regards, Priscilla

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Hi Priscilla,

I sent you a Friend message.  You should have it now and that will help get you what you need.  Oh, how great to have Valentine's cards. The sailors will love them.  If you want some more ideas, I found out yesterday that the ship is the USS Kearsarge and with the chaplain's assistance a room onboard is being made over into Joe's Cafe, a place where the sailors and marines onboard can just go and hang out, get a snack, get a cup of coffee or whatever.  So Navy moms across the country are getting together items to stock Joe's.  Things like 'chips a'hoy' were mentionned because of the "nautical" nature of their name.  Also, puzzle books, magazines, etc.  Also this group has been at sea for around 7 months making only 1 port so morale is getting a little low - this will make cards and notes a premium to include.  I'd love to see us send an entire box of mail to that ship.  If you want to do something like that too, just don't forget to include your name and email address.  You are more likely to hear back by email than snail mail.)  If your daughter does do cards, ask her to send a card of note and say her class included mail for them and put her email, she may hear something back she can share with her class - and us, too.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

NEW INFO FOR OUR BOXES:

We aren't going to be trying to send 1000 care packages -- that is the good news.

Instead they are looking for items to stock their new Holy Joe's Cafe on the USS Kearsage.  It is an area that is being set up by the chaplain as a place where they can hang-out during their down time, get a cup of coffee, read a magazine, play a game.

Anyone know where we might get some gourmet coffees & flavored powdered creamers?

So we need to concentrate on the snack items on their list.  Along with a variety of snack items.

Also, this group really needs mail.  Please take a few minutes to write a few notes or cards.

Shipping will start the last week in Feb. so if you come across anything that is St. Patrick's Day, feel free to include it.

Guess that's it for now.  See you all soon.  Take care and try to stay warm ... I saw a sign today that said, "50 days until spring!".  The countdown begins.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a message or send a PM.