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]

[Pat L. in IL]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pictures!!

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

OMG Tears --------------yep tears 

and the shorts was me ---I put the words SHORTS top left every box , but now thinking about it I have no idea the PO may have covered it up when they attached the custom form ( i didnt watch for that ---didnt even think about it , I am always trying to get the right custom form to the right name on the box) oops tell the kiddo my fault big time ! 

[Lorraine]

I'll bet the words got covered up. Hopefully Andrew found them all :-) It is so rewarding to see pictures like this and to hear that we made a difference! Some people may not realize that Molly's grant money purchased the requested shorts. Way to go Molly!

[Lorraine]

A friend of mine who sent a box for our July adoption received a letter and picture by mail. I've blotted out the names on the uniforms for security and I believe this must have been the forward operating group that isn't used to getting many packages. Here is their comment:

I am writing in behalf of my team!! We greatly appreciate the thought and time that went into supporting us! We are currently in the last month of our deployment here but every little thing helps when you are away from your home and family.
Since it was recently Moustache March out here we had a team competition, well needless to say, I lost. I did however get a pretty cool moustache band-aid so that I could take part [:)] Attached you will see the members of our team!
Again we want to say thank you to everyone that pitched in, there is nothing too small for a deployed soldier.

Keep us in your prayers and may God watch over you.
Thanks,
SOT-A 7200
and especially SSG LM

[carols_kitchen]

Lorraine--I sent you a note so we can get that pix on the facebook page.  AWESOME!

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

What a neat pic!!  It always makes me cry when I read the replies!!  Just makes me want to do more and more.

Thanks for sharing  <3

 

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I got the same letter and picture! What a funny picture!

[Lorraine]

How nice that they took the time to contact those whose boxes they received.

[Laura]

I received this e-mail over the weekend.  I put a card in the box wishing them well and telling them that I am a Navy mom and an Army wife.  He is the short but sweet e-mail that I received.

 

Hello-
Just wanted to let you know your thoughtful box of goodies made it to
our location in southern Afghanistan.  It was very kind of you to think of us as
we are serving far from home.  It is deeply appreciated that people back in the
states have not forgotten us. Please tell your son we are very grateful.


Thank you again for everything!

MAJ xxx
Operation
ENDURING FREEDOM XVIII
Afghanistan
UNCLASSIFIED

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

That is such a sweet email message.  It always makes me a little sad when they say "It is deeply appreciated that people back in the states have not forgotten us" and similiar comments.  Makes me wonder why they would think they are forgotten??  AND, it makes me more determined than ever to send mail with the packages.  No one likes to think they are forgotten, but I can't think of a worse group of people to feel that way than our servicemen/women!!