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!                

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I'm mailing 3 boxes today. Includes chilling towels, sunflower seeds, starburst, baby wipes, jerky, protein bars, individual drink mix, MIO, Mac n cheese cups and Vaseline for Men lotion.

[Lorraine]

Thanks, Kim. They will love your boxes!

[Gulf Coast Mom]

Ruth, Gun'smom - yes I did put the chapstick in baggies.  I have washed and dried it before (oops!!!) and ended up with little grease spots all over the clothes.  It did come out though when I re-washed.  I used to work as a school nurse in a middle school and we had chapstick to give out.  I gave it sparingly for two reasons - 1) once I gave one out, the next 20 kids in to see me suddenly had chapped lips and 2) I was afraid one of them would leave it in their pocket and mom would unknowingly wash and dry it....and I would have one irate parent on the phone.  I'm anxious for the boxes to start arriving. 

 

[Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom]

Mailed two and a friend mailed one!  My son had some new "boonie" hats in camo and tan that went in, along with a whole variety of stuff in each.  Lorraine you're doing great!!!

[Pat L. in IL]

Lorraine, Thank you so very much for being a GREAT Mom of the Month!!!

[Lorraine]

Thank you for asking, Pat. I wasn't sure I could do it when you first asked, but it's not hard at all. I really enjoyed being on the "inside" track for this one and I can't wait to hear from our group when the packages get there. The July Moms were great and the two packing parties were spectacular! You Moms rock!! I'm looking forward to participating in August!

[Lorraine]

Can you believe it? Boxes are already arriving! Here's the first update from our contact for the July adoption:

"Today I came back from humping ammo all day and there was a huge mountain of boxes waiting there in the office for me.  The amount was 110 boxes today and I'm sure there's going to be alot more tomorrow.  I am going to put up flyers when I get all the boxes.  Right now I have all of them locked up in a shipping container."

 

They are going to have a big party when all the boxes get there.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

That's great! You can read the excitement in his typing!  lol  It just makes me want to do more!

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

HOLY COW ----- I missed so much of July, what the heck this is amazing ---man oh man tee hee ok i am so giggling like a school girl 

[Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom]

That's good Kim, because August is right round the corner and we are going to PARTY for an awesome group of adoptees!!

[Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom]

I love it!!!!

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

Having the inside track to July's POC, I know this much--he won't take pictures of the pile until he gets all of them.  He wondered how many total were sent.  He's received 150!  With the two packing parties of 85 and 62, I know there has to be more than 150.  What do you think?