JULY Adoption - Chilling Out!

[Lorraine]

Our JULY adoption is a group of 141 sailors, airmen, and soldiers stationed in Afghanistan – 126 males and 15 females.

 

Our theme is ‘CHILLING OUT’ and we hope to bring some relief to their hot environment by sending some items that cool or bring cooler temps to mind. They live in rooms much like a dorm with power, microwaves, and a fridge with freezer, so any kind of food can be accepted. The summer temperature runs in the high 90’s and can hit the 130’s so this group needs some “cool” things for chilling out.

 

TOP PRIORITIES: DRINK MIX (including MIO), COOKIES, GUMMY BEARS AND LETTERS. Some of them have not received any mail so let’s make sure we send letters (including local newspapers, pics of your town/area, jokes)

 

Here are some “COOL” ideas to help them through the heat and have some fun:

• Cooling towels and neck bands (see note in Pages on making your own bands)
• Powdered drink mixes (Sam’s Club has large Gatorade and Arizona Tea canisters). This group specifically requested a drink mix called MIO.
• Water balloons, squirt guns, water bomb splash balls, and mist bottles/ fans, small ice cube trays (with fun shapes)
• Baby wipes/pre-moistened cleansing wipes
• Flavorice (freezer pops) and Jell-O (does someone have a finger Jell-O recipe to send along?)
• Noxema, aloe, lip balm and burn gel
• Canned fruit (Sam’s Club has boxes of easy open single servings)
• Hard candy (like Jolly Ranchers, Smarties, Sweet Tarts, Skittles, cool burst gum)

 

Other welcome items:

• Coffee, sweetener, creamer
• DVD’s, books and puzzle books (maybe some with a water or beach theme?)
• Games, magazines, writing pads/pens
• Beef jerky
• Energy/protein bars
• Dried fruit, nuts, trail mix, sunflower seeds
• Microwaveable soups/cakes/meals/Easy Mac
• Canned meat (tuna, chicken), Mayo, Miracle Whip
• Snacks (popcorn, pretzels, etc.)
• Wet Mop refills, laundry detergent, air freshener, lotion (like Vaseline for Men)

Personal Care – They have a BX with most of the needed items but you can certainly include some items if you wish like sun screen, non-aerosol deodorant, dental supplies, Mach3 razors, eye drops, air freshener, flameless candles, cough drops, foot powder

Pillowcases accepted - Nancy will send the girl cases this month plus 55 cases from the Rocky Cross church, so we will only need 75 more. Please go to the WSL (We Stitch Love) discussion to add into the pillowcase count. Completed - thanks!

 

Shipping Dates: July 23-25 – address will be posted in mid-July. Boxes will be bulk (specify if female only) and don’t forget the letters. Let’s help these sailors, airmen, and soldiers “Chill Out” this summer.   Thank you!                

[Lorraine]

I couldn't figure out how to add the Neck Coolers directions to Pages, so here it is:

MATERIALS for Neck Coolers:

Use "Magic Crystals" (the watering crystals you put in the soil of potted plants). They swell (A LOT) with water and then give it off slowly to the plants, or to a hot neck in our case. These crystals can be found in the garden department of many discount stores and the ones I got were called "Moisture Plus". One jar will make MANY neck coolers....costs about $7-8 for the jar. Another type is available at joann.com and in dollar stores (the kind used in floral arrangements).

Material and matching thread: Get 44" wide material because it was a good length for around the neck.

DIRECTIONS for Neck Coolers:

It is recommended to wash the material before starting, to make it softer. Cut up whatever amount of material you've got into 3 1/2" strips (by 44").

 Fold lengthwise, good sides together, and sew together, leaving one end open and tapering the other end to a point. Turn the sewed strip inside out so that you have the good side visible.

Now you will make pockets for the crystals. I haven't seen ones that can be purchased made with pockets. They still work, but by sectioning the neck cooler it "bends" better.

Sew a line widthwise about 14" from the tapered end. Pour into the open end ¼ tsp of crystals and make sure that they slide down to your sewn line. Measure 4" and sew another line widthwise, making that first pocket about 4" long. Do this 3 more times until you have four pockets filled with crystals.

Now just sew up the open end, and you've got a SUPER-DOOPER NECK-COOLER.

One note of caution: You will be tempted to add more crystals to each pocket, thinking that more is better. However, these crystals swell A LOT, and packing them too tightly will leave your soldier with something that won't bend enough to go around his/her neck. (1/8 tsp swells to about 1/3 cup of gelatinous balls) You might decide to make your neck-coolers a bit wider and that's fine, but remember that most of our soldiers are wearing Kevlar and body armor when out in the heat. This does not leave much room around the neck....better to let them wear two if two fit rather than send one that is too big and makes them uncomfortable.

 

OK, that's it -- all the soldiers have to do is soak the collars in water for up to 30 minutes (the first time is the longest) until they swell and then tie them on. The crystals eventually wear out and will not absorb as much water. However, they should last a month or two.

 

Directions for Using Neck Coolers

(Include a Copy of These Directions With Each Neck Cooler Sent)

There are "magic crystals" sewn into the four pockets of each neck cooler. In order to use your cooler, soak the whole thing in water until the crystals in the four pockets expand and the pockets bulge. The first soaking may take 10-30 minutes before the crystals absorb as much water as they are capable of. You can then tie the neck cooler around your neck -- the crystals will slowly give up their absorbed water and the evaporation of the water should cool you for hours. The neck cooler can be re-soaked and used again and again. It should last about two months before the crystals lose their ability to absorb water. We know of no negative skin reactions to the "magic crystals", even with long-term use. However, should you develop any skin problems, discontinue use. In addition, wet crystals are VERY slippery. For safety reasons, we advise discarding ripped neck coolers.

[Lorraine]

Ruth says these aren't a good idea for this group because of the extreme heat but you might want to try them for yourselves!

[Pat L. in IL]

Lorraine, My grocery store had Flavorice on sale, so I bought 10 boxes to send. Molly's also received a huge donation of DVD movies, so count me in for 40.

[Lorraine]

Thanks, Pat! I've already been shopping, too. We're off to a good start.

[Paula]

Lorraine, I have 2 boxes going out this week- 10 packs of unscented baby wipes, gum, hard candies, drink mixes and some fun water bomb toys.

[Lorraine]

Thanks, Paula. I hope you join us for the August adoption. Can't wait to hear who we're adopting next!

[navymom3]

Lorraine on the neck coolers do they need to be a certain color or anything fun?

[Lorraine]

Tan or camo was recommended but see Ruth's comment below.

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

Since I personally know about this adoption, I have to discourage the neck coolers.  Texas mom Brenda sent half a dozen because I couldn't find them.  The sailor said that the water immediately turns hot and they dry out within minutes.  Temps are hitting 116 with 7% humidity so I can understand that! 

I haven't counted the pillow cases I have, but will today.  Not all have to be decorated as they actually want some to sleep on.  Twin sheet sets are also needed.  A woman here is also having a group make pillow cases--how many do you get out of 14 yards of patriotic material?  That's what they're making.

Mach 3 razors were requested, too, as well as gummy bears.

A local Walgreen's, Sam's Club, and Paul Mitchell Academy are making donations in my area.  Those 15 women will get some good boxes from here.  Last year we sent 60 boxes from a packing party.  I've ordered 100 boxes for this adoption.  We do it big in the Quad-Cities! 

[navymom3]

Ruth each pillowcase will take 1 yd of material. So you will get 14 cases.

[Lorraine]

Thanks for the input, Ruth. Personal experience goes a long way in making these adoptions the best they can be for the group. And THANKS for the super support from your packing party. Can't wait to hear the final results!

[Lorraine]

75 cases are still needed. Nancy promised to keep track in the WSL discussion. Thanks, Nancy!