October 2014 Adoption--GITMO!

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

I’m so excited to share our October adoption! 

Forever on Thanksgiving Day, the heart will find the pathway home. 

This month we’re adopting 100+ sailors that are assigned to GITMO in Cuba for 18 months.  They’ve been there six months and won’t come home yet for a year.  Let’s send them something from home to remind them we love them!

Here’s the note from our POC:

“I am Chief R, from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, better known as GTMO. All branches are here on both sides of the base doing not only detainee operations but also the regular functions that keep a military installation operational. Living conditions overall aren't horrible, but they aren't home either. There are personnel living in tents and barracks. There are small stores to get food, but selection is limited. Most requests are for Hostess and Little Debbie treats not available here. Homemade treats are always a big hit as well. Mio water flavor drops (or anything to make water something else) are also popular. Most have access to a fridge and microwave.

The largest necessity here for everyone is sunscreen and bug spray....it's always sunny and the bugs are always biting. Everyone loves receiving something from home (the States in general) and not everyone does. I think anything that shows these young men and women that there are people back home thinking about them would do wonders for their morale. There are reserve/guard/active units and members from all over the States here and every branch. I think your organization could help give everyone a taste of home and I know it would be greatly appreciated. ….The numbers I sent was a low side estimate. I will be your contact person and distribute packages to the other Chiefs on base for them to give to their
troops. Thank you.”

Some Iowa and Illinois moms and friends have been working already.  We have gotten a donation of 1000 bottles of Bug Soother repellent and enough pillow cases for this adoption.  So here’s what we do need that he mentioned in this message:

Sunscreen

Little Debbie; Hostess; homemade goodies from trusted sources

MIO

Since then, we’ve added to the list:

Any thing with a Thanksgiving, fall, or football theme

ground coffee
keurig coffee pods
powdered creamer
beef jerky
red licorice, Mike & Ikes, etc.

Cashews

magazines that are fairly current (try for within several months, maybe up to three, but no older)--sports, hunting, motorcycle, cars, fishing, celebrity
Comic books

DVD’s
Soft toilet paper
Christmas cards to send to family and friends
Mach 3 razors
For the gals we send separately marked boxes with girly things including feminine products; nail polish (they can paint their toes any color!); lotions, etc.

Silly stuff--dollar store games. Nerf footballs
Christmas decorations

Dog treats made in the USA for the K9 units

 

A gentle reminder--

  1. No Aerosols

  2. Nothing carbonated

  3. Nothing used

  4. ANYTHING that could possibly leak needs to be in a baggie.

  5. Pack boxes full (Reason #1 – if items can’t move during shipping, reduces chances of damage.

       Reason #2 – most efficient use of postage money.)

  6. Keep food items and toiletries separated.

  7. This time of the year, no chocolate or chapstick (both melt).

 

As you can see, the list is long, but varied.  Whatever is sent will be appreciated.  The Chief has told me that his goal is to have the entire base know about Molly’s Adopt a Sailor and Molly’s Moms.  With that in mind, be sure to label your boxes, but if possible, would you print some stickers with Molly’s website address (www.mollysadoptasailor.com) to affix to items inside the box?  Also be sure to write a letter to include in the box telling about who you are.  As always, cards and letters are most important to bring a touch of home to those who serve.  I think I’ve convinced the Chief to have the boxes opened at one location so that the troops can “shop” out of them. 

 Now, go GIT-MO donatations!

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

Thank you!  It's up now on the MAS page!

[Angela (Kristen's Mom)]

I have hand-made 100 Thanksgiving cards for this group.  I have collected 160 Christmas cards for them to send to their familes.  Will top off the box with Little Debbie snacks.

[Johanna]

Angela...fantastic!!!

[kimstn]

My high school class of 1982 had a bonfire gathering recently and I asked for help/donations.  We have 13 boxes from our packing party that I sending.

Cards, games, snacks, dog treats and lots of candy, too!

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

Bravo Zulu!!!

[Pat L. in IL]

NICE!!!

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

I'm in the process of printing labels with www.mollysadoptasailor.com to attach to as many items as we can.  Also, there's a letter going in each box to let ALL military members (not just sailors) that anytime they're deployed they can request an adoption.  

A special thing about our packing party on Sunday--our POC's mom and sister are coming!  

[kimstn]

How exciting Ruth!!  I know that will be special to participate with their family.  Did I see that you or someone had been a teacher of POC?  Very nice!

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

Yes, I taught the POC!  

[valeriejean]

I have 2 boxes going out this week.  One is full of Christmas cards, magazines and puzzle books, the other is full of snacks.

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

If you're sending boxes this week, please respond to this post with the number you're sending.  Our Davenport, Iowa, packing party yielded 82 boxes of pillowcases, snacks, bug repellent, sunscreen, cards, toiletries, and misc. items.  

[Lorraine]

One box.