AUGUST adoption: Fun and GATOR Games with the USS IWO JIMA!!

[Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom]

USS Iwo Jima August 2012 from Marcy Scott on Vimeo.

UPDATE - USS Iwo Jima Homecoming December 20, 2012 - a Cox Video Diary (Kleenex alert!)

Here's a September 2012 update to our amazing August adoption - a wonderful email I just received!!  I want to give a great big THANK YOU to everyone who made the August adoption of the junior enlisted aboard USS Iwo Jima on this long deployment such a wonderful one!!!   Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom 

Received the following email (from a female sailor) today (9/25):  

"The crew and I on the Iwo Jima want to thank you for the lovely care packages that you sent us on this deployment. 

I am a [xxx] on this ship and I have been onboard the Iwo Jima for over a year now.  This is my second deployment and it has been difficult, especially without visiting a liberty port for months on end and the many restrictions we go under for operational security purposes. 

Sometimes, the only exciting thing we have to look forward to is mail.  Most of us are always expecting mail from loved ones but they don’t always arrive on time. 

For some of us that don’t get any mail, instead are blessed with a care package from lovely, caring and appreciative persons like you.  We are just as grateful for receiving your gifts as you are for us serving our country. 

A couple of days ago, all of us in my work center were pleasantly surprised with care packages and let me tell you - we were like a bunch of happy little kids on Christmas day opening our presents! 

We truly appreciate you thinking of us and caring about us and taking the time out of your day to make these packages for us especially for those who may feel lonelier because of not hearing from their family and loved ones for so long.  It truly means a lot to us.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

[XX]" 

August Adoption:  Fun and GATOR Games!   Our adoptees are the junior enlisted sailors (E4 and below) aboard the amphibious assault ship USS IWO JIMA - part of the Navy’s “Gator Navy” - and we’re definitely going for the GOLD with this adoption!  

The Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group is halfway through an eight month deployment (more about the ship, below).  The Iwo Jima ARG is in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation patrolling parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, supporting maritime security operations and critical response capability if needed. 

They’ve been away from home a loooong time, and along with needing PERSONAL CARE items, they are hoping for SNACKS AND TREATS from home (chocolate is a special request!), and have specifically also asked for GAMES to help beat the dog days of summer and keep their spirits up! 

There are 625 junior enlisted aboard, of which about 100 are female.  We hope to send as many boxes as we can.  Lets do our MOLLY best to give these great sailors plenty of treats PLUS fun and games to share.  THANK YOU for ROCKING THE GATOR GAMES!!!! 

We're encouraging individual boxes with a mix of snacks & treats, personal care items and games in each.  If you want to send a common box full of one category, please clearly mark COMMON BOX -SHARE.

Print these MAS Stickers (2"x4", 10/page) and add to your boxes!!

Here’s the ‘Wish List' from our contact, the ships RP1:  (Note: no pillow cases permitted by the ship for this adoption.  

She says in her email...

“My list is compiled from things that I see firsthand some sailors run out of and the ship store does not carry or runs out of.  Movies/TV series (DVDs, any kind works) are welcome.  Homemade treats are the best - cookies, chocolate and brownies.

PERSONAL CARE ITEMS ~

Shampoo and conditioner

Soap

Toothpaste and mouthwash

Hand sanitizer

Lotion

Purex 3 in 1’s (laundry soap) is good

New dark blue T shirts compatible with NWUs

New black over the calf crew socks

Shoe polish (black)

SNACKS AND TREATS ~

Homemade treats - cookies, chocolate and brownies - note:  chocolate is a big request! :)  Recipes and Baking Tips for successful shipping

Candy

Chips/popcorn

GAMES ~

Board games

Phase 10 (card game)

Scrabble

Jenga

Taboo

Playing cards

Dominoes

Jump ropes

Jacks.....”

♥ And of course - cards and letters of support from home are the most welcome of all ♥ :)

Add a Molly's Adopt a Sailor sticker to your box!  MAS labels

Measuring 844 feet long (about the length of three football fields), the USS Iwo Jima and her 1,100 sailors provide the platform that can deliver up to 1,900 Marines (currently from the 24th Expeditionary Unit) to any contingency in their region.  

This eight-month deployment is longer than the norm for a routine rotation.  The ARG’s deployment also marks the maiden voyage of the USS New York, whose bow is forged with steel from the World Trade Center.

The Iwo (LHD-7) serves both as a warship and as a medical provider of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.  Her extensive medical department includes operating rooms, a blood bank, laboratories and patient wards.  When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, the Iwo provided a floating command center and hospital, while her crew assisted in search and rescue operations, plucking almost 3,400 people from rooftops and saving them from rising waters.  In 2010, she provided healthcare and humanitarian aid to eight countries in the Caribbean and South America, and in 2006, evacuated nearly 15,000 American citizens from Lebanon.

 

 

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

I shipped two boxes today to the Iwo Jima.  Each large priority box=114 decks of cards=25 pounds.  I have a former student on the Gunston Hall in the same battle group, so a box went to her of goodies (she specifically asked for tampons).  I also sent two boxes to last month's POC because the sailors are getting food poisoning and IBS symptoms when they eat at the Army mess hall.

[valeriejean]

I am sending 6 boxes;  1 each to male and female individual;  the common box games/candy (2); common box all male personal care items (1); common box all female personal care items (1)

[Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom]

This Adoption is so amazing, YOU ALL ARE AWESOME!!!   

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

I mailed two boxes on Tuesday.

[Pentwater98]

Shipped 2 individual boxes today.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

The 42 boxes from Massachusetts Moms will likely go tomorrow or Saturday.  I love the excitement of the shipping time ~ makes me want to go out shopping again, but don't tell my hubby!!!

Super job, Marcy!!  Really you did good girl - you hit this one outta here!  (Sorry I had to think of a sentence to put the Boston accent in somewhere, so you'd feel like you never left us!!!  But we won't even think of "outta here" in reference to our poor, but beloved Red Sox.  Once again, the frustrated Red Sox nation sighs...)  :/

[DramaSoul]

Although I grew up in LA and now live in the Oregon, for some reason, we are Red Sox fans. It is a frustrating season, to say the least. 

[Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom]

So what you're saying is we did wicked good and hit this one over the Green Monster??  Thanks for your kind words, I am wowed by each and every Molly member here and the awesome effort for our sailors!  

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

Absolutely Wicked Good!!!  Way over the Monster seats!  And, closing in on the Citgo sign!!  :)  Maybe we Navy Moms should try and help them out!  I bet we could hit and throw better than anyone they have right now...  And, what we could do with a salary like they are getting.  Good grief!  Molly Mommas would be rocking the sandbox, the high seas and everything in between.

@ DramaSoul, I can't quite figure out how that terrible misfortune happened to you  :/  But, girl, I knew you were extra special.  We have to stick together, we only have each other - the boys of summer have let us down once again...  And, thanks again for helping SH!

Ah, well, at least the Pats are back!

[Pat L. in IL]

Marcy, HUGE THANK YOU!!! Great job "Mom of the Month"!!!!!!!!!!

[chowchow]

Marcy Sorry forgot to update you I sent one box of common - share of cookies.  I did write common - share on the box & I couldn't believe I got all those cookies in one box.  Amazing how much those boxes hold.  Just an update.  Also You Rocked this month thanks!

Chow

[Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom]

Chowchow thank you, you were awesome with this project just as EVERYONE here was!  Have to laugh at your description of packing in cookies, I know what you mean!  I just sent my son his favorite salsa and Doritos chips (if you haven't tried the black-bean-and-garlic chips, they're great).  I emptied the full bag of chips into a Rubbermaid Take-along plastic container with lid, 6"x"6"x4"deep (I just measured it) and they all fit!  Too funny.