January + Adoption........It is going to be big !!!!!!!

[lauren]

MOTTO: “GUNG HO” was the Battle Cry of the Second Raider Battalion and the Motto of USS MAKIN ISLAND (CVE 93). “Gung Ho” translated means “Work Together”.

Being a Fast Attack momma I really knew nothing about the Makin Island, but doing a little research I found that their motto :GUNG HO” meant work together, I thought that since we as Molly moms would fail if we did not “Gung Ho” it would be a great battle cry for us.

So let’s GUNG HO into the NEW YEAR together. Since the size of the group is extra large, we will not be shipping till the middle of Feb. Since the timing will not be making any special holiday I thought that we could just make it a "All Things New" packing Whether it is a new snack or new game or something new to learn.

This is the wish list that was provided to me..... BE AWARE there might be a little special request coming soon....

They stay pretty strict with regulations so there will be no pillow cases shipped with this adoption....

Any other Ideas, PLEASE bring them on........I'm still waiting on a head count of men women marines

shipping date to follow but since such a large groug will not be till middle of February

I have the numbers for you.

These are round about numbers and of course not exact; they change all
the time.

Sailors
744 Male             -59 = 685
225 Female   -44 = 181
Marines
1150 Male        -219 = 931
51 Female       DONE

Can I ask for everyone doing bags to send me their count in a personal message so I don't miss the count in the conversation...thanks all

Also I am going to be "MAKIN"  a scrap/photo book to send to the Makin for them to remember that MAS is thinking about them. . If you would like to be apart of it, please send me any pictures or small notes you would like to share with them to [e-mail]. Please put scrapbook in subject line...thanks

Also they are in need of Children's books that they can use for the United in Reading program. This is where the parents read a book while being recorded and then send the DVD and book to the child....what a get way to be a parent while away.

Shipping will be Feb 24-25th

All items in red are totally taken care of

Wish List Snack Ideas:
** Beef Jerky   DONE
Sunflower seeds all flavors
Pumpkin Seeds
Holiday Cookies
Pop Corn all flavors
Gum
Coffee
Creamer
Tea
Summer Sausage
Skittles
Hostess Snacks
Top Ramen
Hot Chocolate
Tuna
Cup Noodles
Hormel Chili
Spam
Seasonings
Crackerfuls
Granola Bars
Oreos
Single Drink Mixes
Candy
Hot Sauce
Healthy Snaks
**Doritos
Chips
Crackers: Triscuts, Chicken Biskets, Wheat Thins, Cheeses Its
Easy Cheese
Cookies
Chocolate
Nuts
Pistachios
Energy Drink Done
Baked Goods
Fruit snack
Gushers
Hostess baked good
Asian Noodles
*Pepperidge farm items

Coffee DONE

Personal Products – Male
Axe body spray
Razors
Body wash
Deodorant
MACH razors
Disposable razors
Personal Products – Female
Body spray
Lip gloss
Make-up
*Lotion
Midol
Hair bands
Bobby pins
Higher end feminine products

ALL
Toothpaste----you go CO.
Mouthwash
Toothbrushes---you go CO
Face Wash
Deodorant
Hand Sanitizer
*Chapstick
Cough drops
Q-tips
Personal drinking bottles
*Foot powder
Baby powder
Phone/gift cards
Sock – black – white
Batteries
Loofas

Entertainment ideas:
Card games
Board games
Video games
Doodle pens
Markers
Headphones
New music
New movies
Magazines – Car and Driver
Gaming
Muscle
People
Cosmo
Books – new or used – any kind
Puzzle books – Crossword    DONE
Word find
Sudoku
Logic
**Annotates several requests for marked items

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Hey Nancy, I think that is a clever and cute idea!!  You are so creative!  I can copy someone else's ideas but to come up with an original of my own is pretty rare.  Last idea was mmmmm, last Feb/Mar that crazy scrapbook of the MLB teams!!  Ok it has been nearly a year, I should be due an idea pretty soon!  LOL

[Kat (MM Nuke)]

I got a couple of packages of black socks yesterday, I think 7 pair in each package, crew cut.  I hope that is the right thing.  They aren't Gold Toe, but similar, from Kohl's.  If I dont use them for this adoption I'll definately use them for another one and stuff them and tie off with a nice ribbon or something.  A question:  are the girls socks different than boy socks?  I started thinking about that when I was looking at them.  I mean, I'd think they'd want the thick ones, just like boys, to wear inside their boots.

[MJ~ Erik's mom]

Put me down for 25 boxes.  A mix of all kinds of goodies to eat, as well as toiletries, DVDs etc!

[TN Navy Mom (Stennis Nuke Mom)]

So far I have 30 goody bags of snack items.  One full box of female toiletries, one full box of entertainment (magazines, books, cards, games, dvds.  We'll see what else I can come up with between now and shipping date.

[lauren]

Oh the Makin has NO IDEA ....what an AMAZING group of MOM'S (and loved ones) that are about to rain a WHOLE BUNCH of love on them ....LOL.......There are planning on taking pictures for us ...........lol

[carols_kitchen]

Hi -- does the chapstick have to have the screw on lid, or can it just be a capped one?  My dog groomer, who is also with Avon, gave me 14 sample hand lotions.  She has lots of their brand chap sticks, on sale for 50 cents.  Just wondered if I should buy them up.

[Jenny...CBmom "CAN DO"]

did somebody say chocolate? our local Blue Star chapter was given 50+ boxes from Walgreens of mostly candy bars. We ship boxes each month to the troops but this is more than we can handle LOL! We have been able to share with the USO and some local Veteran organization's but need to get rid of it before it get's hot, and in AZ that will happen soon. Happy to ship some to the Makin Island!

[Pat L. in IL]

@Jenny, Have to tell you a funny story about chocolate. The girls in one of our adoptions pleaded for chocolate even though it was getting pretty warm in A-stan. So we sent chocolate. It was melted when it arrived so they cut off the corner of the package and drizzled it on Chex Mix. They were HAPPY CAMPERS!!!!!

[Kat (MM Nuke)]

I stopped in at Bath and Body Works today because I had another of those coupons for a free purse size lotion so figured I'd get it and add to the pile for goodie bags.  Was talkiing to the gal there and told her about our adoptions and how I'd just bought a bunch of the $1 mini hand sanitizers and lotions and used the $10 off $40 coupon.  She said well, I have a bunch of those hand sanitizers for 37 cents if you need more.  OH YA.  It felt like Christmas to me.  I bought a bunch more, perfect for our goodie bags.  So if you'd like some, check soon in case they disappear fast.

[lauren]

@ Carol this time of year I believe any chapstick will be fine, just in case maybe put them in plastic.

@Jenny Chocolate should be fine too, and loved by all...lol

@KAT thanks for the info ...our B&BW told me that they stick the ones they don't sell in the backroom and bring them back out later, but I'm going to go over and check as soon as I can bring myself to shovel me and the neighbor out..lol

Just a little more info, the scrapbook I'm putting together is going to go into the study room that the Makin is putting together, they thought it would be great to have so they can build on it....so please if there is anything you want included send to me...they will have our love to keep

[Kat (MM Nuke)]

Maybe you could call B&BW before you dig out to go there, just to see if they do have them at that price.  Otherwise they have a bunch at 5/$5.

 

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

My neice is a couponer  and has a blog and many other things to get her groceries free. She is trying to help get toothpaste and has also posted this. http://www.dealsearchingmama.com/2912/help-donate-to-uss-makin-island/

Please check it out to make sure it is ok. Thank you!