AUGUST IS FOR THE ATTACK SQUADRON THE SHADOWHAWKS

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

 The Shadowhawks are an Electronic Attack Squadron & are deployed on the Bush aircraft carrier in the Gulf.

 

There are 216 sailors assigned to the Shadowhawks -- 190 men and 26 women.  They received pillowcases when they arrived on the ship, so no need to worry about pillowcases for this adoption.

 

I received this sweet message from our POC:  “…it is so hot out here.  But it seems wrong to ask for anything.  Whatever you do will be received well by our Sailors.  And, thank you for what you are doing, not just for us, but for every Sailor life you are touching.”  He went on to say that our ideas for them would be far better than anything he could think of & he didn’t want to ask others for input as he wants this to be a huge & total surprise.

 

So, Moms we have our work cut out for us …  One thing I thought we should keep in mind is that they will be receiving their boxes right around  9/11 – the reason they are deployed & still fighting this war on terror that the other side started 10 years ago.  Let’s make certain that our sailors know:

                         “We Will Never Forget.”

 

Many will have sad memories of that day – NYC, DC & PA, let’s do our best to put a positive spin on things. I was thinking for a theme - “Picnic in Central Park”.  Central Park is a GREAT place for a picnic!

 

And, August is ‘National Picnic Month.’  In Central Park, people read, play ball, throw Frisbees, children blow bubbles & draw pictures with sidewalk chalk. There are artists painting & drawing, people writing or talking.  Of course, we can’t do anything about walking a dog (& pooper-scooping), but people jog, do yoga & catch some rays while playing in the fountains.  And, of course, eat!!!  (So we need food/snack items.)

Perhaps items can be red, white & blue to acknowledge American endurance on the 10^th Anniversary of 9/11.

Shipping will be August 22 – 27^th.

 

These are just my thoughts.  So, let the discussions begin … !!!!

 

MESSAGE JUST RECEIVED THAT THE FEMALE SAILORS ARE BEING TAKEN ON.  If someone wants to help in some way, contact Lauren.

[kresgeball Div 291 PIR 9/9/11]

What about $1 store water guns?? (Just make sure they are the clear plastic colorful kind) I was also thinking peanuts. Big bags pretty cheap at BJ's, they could be re-bagged in smaller plastic bags.

[kresgeball Div 291 PIR 9/9/11]

they also have at $5 below....collapsable picnic baskets. They are kinda neat, could be nice for toting things around. I am wondering if we called there corporate headquarters if they would donate them.

 

[carols_kitchen]

Wondering if they would have room for collapsible baskets, or if they would be sent to the fishies.  Limited storage space. See how small they collapse to--I have a collapsible picnic basket, but it's still large when compressed.

[kresgeball Div 291 PIR 9/9/11]

Took a shot and left a voicemail with $5 below corp headquarters. They are a customer of mine on the transpo side so maybe they could donate something.

[kresgeball Div 291 PIR 9/9/11]

Was just playing with mine! Collapses to 10x10x3 Length and width 10 inches and 3 inches high. So it would take up a little less room that a folded pair of pants would. Well, a pair of civilian folded pants.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Just like Molly said at the beginning of this discussion -- pic-a-nic baskets!!  Good idea.  Sounds like fun.

[diane {Shawns mom}]

A tisket a basket a pinic in a basket….

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Just got my answer from the business I had in mind for the water bottles.  We don't fit their qualifications for contributions.  Very disappointed, but will just have to move on.  Could not even qualify for business to business discounts.  We'd have to order a minimum of 500-700!!!  That is the minimum and we'd get a 10% discount only.  The water bottle are 18 oz. size and cost $12.99 each.  Way out of our budget!  On to other things...

[Sue]

Holy cow!  Time to hit up our recruiters!  I haven't heard anything either from my employer, but I know Molly's Adopt-A-Sailor didn't fit in THEIR qualifications either when I tried to apply for a grant here for them. Sheesh. Looks like we will have our work cut out for us regarding donations - gotta love this rotten economy (don't get me started on THAT topic!!!)

[diane {Shawns mom}]

Wow NYPD….unAMERICAN….we can do a lot better then that….don’t worry…..we will work it out….

**DON”T MEET THEIR qualification*** screw em. don’t mess with NAVY MOMS…..Bad mistake on their part…..he$$ with them…..

[lauren]

Oh lets not stress, remember that a no somewhere, just means that there is a BETTER yes somewhere else...and I know us we'll find it.

I have a couple navy water bottles.....have we gotten a price from Gator Gals?

 

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

Speaking of not qualifing ---I did a nasty get even thing yesterday

((back story))

When we first became a 501c3 I was so excited I wrote to tillemook beef jerky in Oregon and told them we were an OREGON NPO and looking for jerky as donations for tax write off

WELL the email said we dont qualify and they supported other causes vs ours

WELL just yesterday I wrote an email to them again and proceeded to say

"jack links beef jerky has donated over $3000.00 worth of jerky in feb, and that we have bought 500.00 worth of Lowyers in washington and I now need more and have money to spend ---I asked them what it would costs us and what we buy will they match as donations or a great wholesale price !!   (then truth is Im going to jack links because THEY did help us out)