TreatsForTheTroops.US

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Preparing the Christmas boxes to go out in the coming weeks, we have collected candy from halloween to add to the boxes.

Landry's came through with everything our current units needed - from food to cleaning needs.. See the latest here

Landry's helps us out again with donations and post cards for the troops so they can write home. We are getting our boxes out before the 12/10 deadline as planned with lots of homemade breads, brownies, pretzels, apples. YUM!

October, 2018: We just received a letter from Landry's that they are doing another fund raising so they will help with our Christmas boxes!

With our biggest donation of goods from the Landry's company yet, this winter has been very busy.

Not only have we shipped boxes directly to deployed troops and the chaplains supporting them but we have had the ability to also support other organizations that also support our troops.

This has opened the doors for us to help more troops than we could have ever dreamed! We have discovered other great organizations like the Blue Star Mothers, and Veteran's Miracle Center. The Blue Star Mom's ship boxes to their own sons and daughters who are deployed so teaming with them we were able to fill all their boxes with needed supplies that they would otherwise need to buy themselves. The Veteran's Miracle Center is another amazing place that is a free store to any service member or veteran. They can stock up on whatever they need during a deployment or may need when they come home. Its such a blessing to meet these people and be able to help with these other organizations who are all helping our troops.

We are ramping up for the 2017 Christmas shipping. Requests are coming in and looking forward to another corporate sponsored

donation drive from Landry's Inc. Get your donations in before December for shopping time before box preparations and shipping

all in time for Christmas.

Shipping out Christmas Boxes has begun!  We have so many this year it will take a couple weeks!

It's that time of year and all the requests for Christmas packages are coming.. Thanks for the continued support so we can fill them up. :-)

A letter back from some troops... Looks like we almost started a fight :-)

Just got a big donation from staff at Landry's Inc. and repacking in big boxes to ship out.

Sending out all the Christmas boxes ... They seem to be getting to most people quite fast even with the holiday rush.

21 boxes now. Thanks to the people that donate cash, online, cookies and more - we are still able to keep doing it without Walgreens. God is good!

Hosting information table at BOCES opening day for donations

Just shipped out 3 more boxes - Afghanistan and Dijbouti (Navy and Special Forces protecting waters near Yemen - Terrorist Hub)

Walgreens ends their support after many years...

Boxes are being sent to Iraq, Afghanistan, kuwait, Dijibouti (Yemen area) lately...

No chocolate now but lots of other goodies going out.

Here is a letter that came back...

We are now sending to troops in Africa! - Yes the terrorists have taken over Yemen.

Some thank you notes we got ..

Still sending out Christmas boxes... about 20 so far to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan... Busy Season!

Just had a meeting at work and the staff of the organization is going to help us now!

This is great news as we have troops going into Iraq again and they have very little.

Wow - time has passed us by and I'm sorry I havent updated this site to keep you all up to date.

We have had continued support from Walgreen stores and their shoppers so a BIG THANKS to them.

We also would not be able to continue without the continued support from local people supplying their talents with baking cookies

and giving in other ways such as financial so we can go out and buy what has been requested. I can't believe we started this in 2005

and thanks to God we have been able to continue this long. His will be done. We want to keep our troops in our are hearts and prayers.

We also will keep letting them have a little bit of home for as long as we can - God willing! Bless you all for your help!

See what a Naval air medivac unit just sent us!

Easter Boxes are sent! Thanks to Walgreens and Girl Scouts for all their donations!

What can we say, but a big thanks to our biggest supporter - Walgreens Stores & Their Customers

Picked up two boxes of candy donated by Walgreen shoppers at Holland Ave, Albany

as well as 4 large boxes of left over Christmas Candy donated by the store

Walgreens Stores in Albany and Clifton Park & Their Customers have been awesome!

Filled the truck with 14 boxes of Christmas candy from Clifton Park Walgreens including donations from customers

Got this great card from a medical ICU team we're supporting in Afghanistan

The treats not only help their morale but help for those giving blood to get sugar levels back up.

From Capt Colleen Hollis

We received a flag on 5/11/11 which was flown at Camp Al Asad, Iraq

An article in the Troy Record about us!

You can read it here:

Found this article about one of the EOD (Explosive Ordanance Disposal) units we support, the 79th in Afghanistan

Warriors Log - A newsletter sent to us form one of the units we support

Normally I don't post emails here but this guy says it all. Its why we do what we do. God be with you Jimmie. - Jeff

From: Jay Pugh
Subject: THANK YOU SO MUCH !
Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2011, 6:20 AM

Jeff & Josey,

HI! HOW ARE YOU, YOUR FAMILY, and THE FINE PEOPLE AT TREATS FOR THE TROOPS DOING? I HOPE THIS LETTER FINDS YOU ALL WELL! (I hope your Grandaughter is feeling better and back in to "EVERYTHING" and being spoiled by your husband - ha ha)

I WANT TO TAKE THE TIME OUT TO SAY "THANK YOU VERY MUCH" FOR YOUR UNBELIEVABLE CARE PACKAGE - I CAN'T EXPRESS HOW MUCH I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE MONEY & TIME YOU PUT INTO GETTING THESE THINGS TOGETHER and GETTING THEM TO ME - WOW!!

"BY FAR THIS IS THE BEST CARE PACKAGE I HAVE EVER RECEIVED"!

YOU HAVE ALL OF MY CRAVINGS FROM BACK HOME INSIDE. ha ha

This is one of the MANY reasons why I serve this GREAT NATION OF OURS and WHY I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO STILL VALUE DOING SPECIAL THINGS FOR US LIKE THE OLD DAYS! I AM A HISTORY, DISCOVERY, & MILITARY CHANNEL BUFF and I LOVE LOOKING AT OLD FOOTAGE OF THE GUYS GETTING CARE PACKAGES FROM BACK HOME - IT'S LIKE THEY ARE KIDS AT A CHRISTMAS TREE ALL OVER AGAIN - THIS WAS MY EXPRESSION TODAY WHEN I OPENED YOUR CARE PACKAGE, I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES. ha ha

Well the weather is breaking here, already in the 90's. This means it's gonna be another SCORCHING summer. The threat level & frequency of attacks will go back up to because now a lot of the insurgents will come down from their hideouts in the mountains and increase their attacks. In fact, just two days ago a 26 year old female was killed at the main base in Kandahar from a rocket attack - so sad because I saw her about 3 months ago when I was there on my way here - i'm only 25 miles or so from the main base in Kandahar - so VERY CLOSE!

I know we are in your prayers - I will do my best to stay safe and make it back to my family.

I know it's hectic back there and especially with the economy still struggling - I hope you all are able to weather the storm and continue to make your lives better.

Again, I want to say THANK YOU, YOUR FAMILY, and TREATS FOR THE TROOPS SO MUCH FOR CARING ENOUGH TO SEND SUCH A WONDERFUL CARE PACKAGE - ALL OF THE ITEMS WILL BE ENJOYED FOR SURE.

YOU ALL ARE IN OUR PRAYERS - Take Care,

Jimmie

Subject: RE: Care Package
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 05:15:54 -0500

Josey,

Hi. It's NICE 2 hear from you. O don't worry that you're just emailing me especially since your Grandaughter was in the hospital. Please send my GET WELL SOON WISHES TO HER and HER MOM. I'm not sure of her age but I HOPE SHE'S BACK TO NORMAL and INTO EVERYTHING VERY SOON. ha ha

I want to take the time out to say THANK YOU, YOUR FAMILY, and TEAM FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT, WELL WISHES, and GIFTS!

No problem me and my fellow airman are here in high spirits and we LOVE DEFENDING OUR GREAT NATION AGAINST FOREIGN and DOMESTIC THREATS 24/7 365.

WE ARE THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AND WE STAND BY OUR OATH AND COMMITMENT TO OUR GREAT NATION.

OK I will look out for the care package.

Again, I wish a SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR YOUR GRANDAUGHTER!

GOODLUCK, HEALTH, and SAFETY TO YOU and YOUR FAMILY!

Take Care,

Jimmie

3/5/10

2/7/10

12/29/09

12/26/09

12/25/09

12/15/09

12/09

2-21-09

Latest News from 5/10 - "Pain by Steel Rain"

Updates from the 5/10th

I don't usually post emails here, but I thought this one was a great representation of the Christmas season.

From: SuzyQ
Date: Saturday, December 26, 2009, 3:05 AM

Merry Christmas to you too. I cried when I received this ya'll have blessed me so. I do appreciate what you do for the Troops. You made my Christmas complete. I have my other 3 kids with me Ashley 19,Travis 21, Trey 23 all said thank you. I don't think they realize what their brother is going through over there. Though I know they love and miss them. I am just thankful he received the thing he wanted most of all the jerky and you made it happen. Thank you all so much you are very blessed people. You have bless me so. God bless you all....
Susan Torries Kyle And Family

Emails have come back from some of the troops who got their Christmas boxes on time - before Christmas!

Hip Hip Hooray! - the last of the Christmas boxes are on the way!

I just realized that I haven't posted any "news" in quite a while so lets catch up! We are shipping out a donation of over 600 pounds of candy this year from the great dental office in Mass. Its been a great addition to halloween boxes and Christmas boxes and has served both troops and the local children for lots of rasta? I think thats what they call it - aka respect.

Its been a whirlwind of activity with boxes being packed daily and shipped every other day. Everyone knows me at the post office as "The Candy Man" and we've even got donations from one of the post office workers who has to lift my big boxes! Thanks Jonie!

Josey has of course been dipping chocolate treats like crazy and I'm shipping as fast as she can make them.

I've picked up more contacts in Afghanistan lately since they have it rough there now and there are a lot more on the way.

We've got some great donations from girl scout troops lately and I think the boys are getting shown up - Any Boy Scout troops up to the challenge?

Thanks to everyone who keeps supporting our effort! Even when times were tough and we thought we may not be able to continue, God intercedes and provides so we must be doing the right thing. So, by God - we are going to keep doing it!

Any help is appreciated and goes 100% to items shipped! (Donate here)

Jeff

This is a Chaplain we are helping. Thanks for all your support!

“This place builds morale” said Staff Sgt. Chad Logan, the personnel chief with Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 8. “It shows that people at home care about our well being.”

Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Hawthorne, the religious programs specialist with RCT-8, has worked tirelessly restocking the shelves of the small annex on a daily basis with donated items sent from nonprofit organizations and citizens in the United States.

“Hygiene gear is usually one of the big ticket items we stock up,” Hawthorne said.

Throughout the week, Hawthorne picks up the donated goods sent by mail and fills the shelves with soap, shower-shoes, candy, and razors.

“Marines always need razors so they tell me to look out for them in packages,” Hawthorne said.

Hawthorne understands the need of basic hygiene items and makes sure that Marine units that fall under the regiment’s command are constantly stocked with donations.

“I don’t keep everything here,” he said. “I’ll send it to battalion chaplains for other units.”

Spreading the wealth is an understood concept for Hawthorne, but he also corresponds with the unit contacts to make sure only usable items are sent to the battalions.

“I make sure the units have what they need,” he said. “I wouldn’t send them boxes of toothbrushes if they don’t need them or a bunch of feminine products if they are a grunt unit.”

Marines not only enjoy the free items, but because of their busy schedule, they aren’t always able to wait in the long lines at the local exchange.

“I like not having to overpay for hygiene items,” said Lance Cpl. Marcus McMurray, a command-operations-center journal clerk with RCT-8. “Plus I don’t have to wait in line and that’s very convenient.”

Marines and sailors within the regiment, units passing through the camp, and visitors to the camp have enjoyed the availability of the donated items and are thankful for the groups who mail the care packages.

“I wouldn’t be able to fill up these shelves if the organizations back home wouldn’t put their time, money and effort into this,” Hawthorne said.

Check out the Power Point slideshow --- photos taken during mail distribution to 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, the US Marine Corps battalion that was later replaced by 3rd Battalion 8th Marines.

http://www.freeportflagladies.com/nov/nov12/nov12.1.html --- Some of you may not have received this link. The photos were taken by the Freeport Flag Ladies at the airport in Bangor, Maine. They and one other group meet every military flight that lands in Bangor. The military men and women who pass through Bangor are either on their way to Iraq or Afghanistan or arriving back in the USA after their deployment. These photos were taken when 3/8 deployed to Afghanistan in November.

"Nukes & Spooks" is written by McClatchy correspondents Jonathan S. Landay (national security and intelligence), Warren P. Strobel (foreign affairs and the State Department), and Nancy Youssef (Pentagon).
December 23, 2008
The Santa Claus of Taliban country

Greetings from Afghanistan, dear readers. I have been here about two weeks now, and I owe you a smart blog about all the ways Afghanistan is not Iraq. And let me tell you the list grows everyday. I promise it is coming soon. In the meantime, I am happy to report I found one of the most important Marines around these days, the postal chief, Staff Sgt. Jason Dixon, 30, of Springfield, Missouri. Dixon works out of Camp Bastion, which sits on the edge of Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold. His job is to get all the Christmas packages out on time to the 3rd battalion, 8th Marines stationed here and in neighboring Farah province, an area that is about the size of Vermont. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. These days they receive 24,0000 pounds of mail every few days, much of that is care packages from friends and strangers alike.
I am happy to report that Staff Sgt. Dixon and his colleagues are working around the clock to make sure the deliveries make it by Christmas morning. I found him sorting packages around 8:30 p.m. Dixon, who joined the Marine Corps twelve years ago after he was turned down for a job at the Postal Service, does his job with great pride. I have included a photo of him in front of a portion of one shipment. He sorts them and gets them out to the five bases here. And when a shipment arrives at these barren military posts, you will see the toughest, strongest Marines scurrying to the truck, looking for their packages. It is heartwarming and amusing, indeed.
They have received so much here that they are now making stockings for each Marine to hand out on Christmas Day. So rest assured dear readers, the Marines are feeling the love, one shipment at a time.


https://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/Public%2FIIMEFpublic.nsf/unitSites/3bn8mar This link will take you to the 3/8 website!


MyrtleBeachOnline.com
Saturday, Dec 20, 2008
Posted on Thu, Dec. 18, 2008
NC-born singer entertains troops in Afghanistan

The Associated Press
North Carolina native and country singer Kellie Pickler has joined other artists on a USO holiday tour for American troops in Afghanistan.
A news release from the Marine Corps task force stationed at Kandahar air field said the tour stopped there Wednesday and performed for about 200 troops.
Military members also heard from Kid Rock.
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, accompanied the entertainers and praised the infantry troops from the North Carolina-based 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. The battalion is part of a special Marine task force sent to Afghanistan.
Pickler is scheduled to appear later this month on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" on ABC.
© 2008 MyrtleBeachOnline.com and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com
Mullen Views Life on Sharp End of Spear in Afghanistan
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan, Dec. 21, 2008 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff got a close look at conditions on the ground in western Afghanistan today during visits with a provincial reconstruction team and the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines.
The visit gave Navy Adm. Mike Mullen insight into the obstacles and opportunities in the region in ways that briefings or conversations with officials never can.

It was Mullen’s second visit to the region. He was here earlier this year when Marines first moved in to the region.

The chairman flew aboard an Air Force C-130 from Kabul to a dirt airstrip next to the provincial reconstruction team base in Farah. The province is primarily agricultural, with opium poppies its primary cash crop. Some 70 percent of the population lives below the Afghan poverty line.

The PRT here is a mix of Army and Navy personnel, with the sailors from all over the service and carrying a mélange of specialties. Most of the soldiers are civil affairs specialists or members of an infantry unit that provides force protection. State Department, Department of Agriculture and Agency for International Development personnel round out the team.

Mullen held an all-hands call with the base personnel, assigned in a region that’s a hotbed of Taliban insurgents and banditry.

“I’m incredibly proud of the way you are accomplishing your mission,” Mullen told the soldiers and sailors during his all-hands call at the base. “What you are doing is important to our country and ultimately the citizens of this country.” The chairman thanked the servicemembers for their and their families’ sacrifices.

Mullen met with provincial leaders at the base and spoke of the needs of the citizens of the region. Roads, schools, agricultural advice, wells and basic services are in short supply, and provincial leaders look to the Americans for help.

The team leaders explained the transportation difficulties inherent in operations around the region. A portion of the country’s Ring Road links Farah with Kandahar. Dirt roads – some little more than goat trails -- link the towns.

The chairman got a bird’s eye view of transportation challenges as he flew to the next stop of his tour at Forward Operating Base Baqwa aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. During the flight, Mullen viewed a landscape not unlike that of Mars. Knife-edge ridges separated valleys with bone-dry wadis at the bottom. Not a single tree or blade of grass marked the route, a testament to the region’s 13th year of drought.

The Baqwa base is manned by Kilo Company 3-8 Marines. “It’s not the end of the world, but you can see it from here,” said one Marine at the base.

Marines patrol the valley and the small villages, Marine 2nd Lt. Kenneth McKenzie, the platoon commander, told Mullen. The young lieutenant was frank and forthright about the job the Marines are doing under tough conditions. Mullen had a tray ration lunch with the Marines at the base and discussed the mission and their contributions to it.

The chairman then choppered to another forward operating base in Delaram. The Marines share that base with an Afghan National Army battalion, called a kandak, and anticipate more kandaks arriving as the base is expanded.

The Marines at the base are training and mentoring the Afghan National Police and the Afghan Uniformed Police.

This base is next to the Ring Road, and supplying it is a bit easier than at Baqwa, the Marines explained.

After leaving Delaram, Mullen flew to the reinforced battalion headquarters on this British base, where the Marines are tenants. The chairman held an all-hands call with the personnel and received a briefing on the lay down of forces in the region and the threats. He then returned to Kabul via C-130 aircraft.

Mullen said he welcomed the visits to get the sights, sounds and smells of life on the sharp end of the spear. At every stop, he spoke with the troops and asked them what they need and what he can do to help their missions. If he didn’t have an answer, the chairman took e-mail addresses so he could write back personally.

Quote:
2nd Lt. John Langer, a platoon commander with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, walks down an alley in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 22. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Cpl. Pete Thibodeau : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Quote:
Lance Cpl. Harrison Bruining, a rifleman with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, turns around during a census patrol in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 22. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Cpl. Pete Thibodeau : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Quote:
Lance Cpl. Sean Kunis, a rifleman with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, maintains security during a patrol in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 21. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Cpl. Pete Thibodeau : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Quote:
Lance Cpl. Kyle Bower, a rifleman with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, maintains security during a patrol in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 22. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Cpl. Pete Thibodeau : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Quote:
Marines and an interpreter with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, conduct a census patrol in order to speak to the local populace in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 22. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Cpl. Pete Thibodeau : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Quote:
Lance Cpl. Jesse Raper, a rifleman with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, maintains security in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 22. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Cpl. Pete Thibodeau : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Quote:
Marines with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, conduct a security patrol in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 21. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Cpl. Pete Thibodeau : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Quote:
Cpl. Josh Reasbeck, a patrol leader with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, maintains security on the rooftop of an abandoned house in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 21. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Cpl. Pete Thibodeau : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Quote:
Lance Cpl. Kyle Bower, a rifleman with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, patrols through a village in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 22. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Cpl. Pete Thibodeau : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Quote:
Lance Cpl. Sean Kunis, a rifleman with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, maintains security during a patrol in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 21, 2008. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Cpl. Pete Thibodeau : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Quote:
Lance Cpl. Harrison Bruining, a rifleman with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, patrols in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 22. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Cpl. Pete Thibodeau : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan)

Quote:
Lance Cpl. James Welch, a rifleman with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, looks through binoculars on the rooftop of an abandoned house in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 21. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.
(Photographer: Cpl. Pete Thibodeau : Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force

We've just adopted another platoon of 656 troops in Iraq who are setting up new FOB's (Forward Operating Bases) The Chaplin has requested personal hygiene items and DVDs.

Chaplain (Captain) Sang H. Kim with the 1-77th Field Artillery Battalion, stationed in Iraq. He writes:

“Our Battalion is in very isolated locations in order to build new FOB's and to provide full spectrum operations to secure the Iraqi population. We would appreciate it if you would please send your care packages to our Soldiers. Your generosity will make our continuing mission possible.”

These soldiers would like to have some personal hygiene items and DVDs to keep them entertained.

There are 650 male soldiers and 6 female soldiers in this Battalion.

The Troops are receiving their boxes and we're getting all sorts of joyous replies from them. See their Emails

The "Sweathogs" seem to love their Christmas hats - check out the reindeer antlers and santa hats we sent :-)

Send a letter to this soldier - he gets no mail...is a single dad with two kids.

Let him know that you got the contact information from a friend of Cpl Papa Jobe.

We received an email from Angel about a Doctor in Iraq and we've adopted her.

She is distributing gifts she receives to many. See her story here!

Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 11:23:06 -0700 (PDT)
From: LiLjosh Wright <liljoshwright@yahoo.com>
Subject: Fwd: Soldiers In Need of support
To: josh wright <liljoshwright@yahoo.com>

"Thompson, Mark E MAJ USCENTCOM 160TH SIG BDE" mark.e.thompson@kuwait.swa.army.mil wrote:

Subject: Soldiers In Need of support
Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 19:53:05 +0300
From: "Thompson, Mark E MAJ USCENTCOM 160TH SIG BDE" mark.e.thompson@kuwait.swa.army.mil

160th Signal Brigade UMT Outreach Programs
Dear friends,
Now that the holiday season is over I find that the donations for the soldier free store have dropped to next to nothing. I am resending a standard letter explaining the possible mission programs. I will always respond to your individual emails and as possible we will send pictures and notes telling you what we have done with your gift. For mailing, we suggest the set fee box as there is no weight limit.
First, some things not to send for the solders we are working with:
1. Writing paper and supplies
2. Stamps
3. Books
4. Religious material (I have a GOOD supply of this and solid funding for more)

Please remember that we can not give out any names or address of deployed Soldiers.

1. Soldiers Free Store (On going)
2. “Operation Hope” Clothing Drive for the Refugees in Kuwait. April & May
3. Afghanistan/Iraq school supply program (On Going)

Soldier Free Store: (These are just suggestions)
This program provides items free to all soldiers stationed at Camp Airfjan, Kuwait. We have lockers that we stock with these items and open the “store” three days a week and upon request. We also make it available for the Soldiers just checking into the unit.
SEND TO:
Chaplain
160th Signal Brigade
APO AE 09366

1. Soldiers Free Store (On going)

Shampoo
Face products
Razors
Shaving Cream
Body wash
Tooth Paste
Floes
Deodorant
Crackers (peanut butter etc…)
Bags of candy
Jerky
Coffee & Flavored coffee
Flavored Tea
Woman’s famine hygiene products
David’s Sunflower seeds
Jelly
Fingernail/toenail clippers
Combs
Micro Popcorn
Micro Brownies
Cookies (all types)
Chips (small bags)
Cereal (small boxes)
Raman
Snacks (all kinds)
Socks
Underpants (Boxers Only, all sizes)
Small Flash lights
Pillow Cases/Sheets (Twin)
Current Magazines (All Types)
Manicure items
Sowing kits
Comic Books
Travel Alarm Clocks
Sun glasses
Finger nail clippers
Toe nail clippers
Manicure items
Sowing kits
Beef Jerky
Bags of candy
Small flash lights
Battery powered wall clocks’
Socks
Peanut butter (Crunchy)
Jelly
Flavored coffee creamer
Any Decorations to put on walls
Any Mary Kay Product
Travel Games
Head Phones
CD’s & DVD’s
Cards
Tee Shirts (Long and Short sleeve with logos, sayings, sports teams etc…)
Sports Teams (Stuff)
Sweat Shirts (Hooded and un-Hooded, Large and up)
Surprise gifts

2. Operation Hope” Clothing Drive, for the Refugees in Kuwait. April & May

SEND TO:
Chaplain
160th Signal Brigade
APO AE 09366

Any Clothing (please wash all items)
Shoes
Hygiene Items:
toothbrushes/toothpaste
soap
shampoo
disposable razors
Non-Perishable Items:
tea bags
individually wrapped hard candy
crackers/biscuits/cookies
bags of sugar
Monetary Donations are accepted by check only – Payable to Operation Hope
3. Afghanistan/Iraq school supply program
This is an on going program to provide for the children of these countries.
SEND TO:
Steven Strem, LTC
Phoenix Base
MNSTC-I, J7
APO-AE 09348
ATTN: Chaplain
25th Signal BN/ITT
APO AE O9320
Back Packs
Children’s Shoes
Pens
Pencils
Chalk (all colors/sizes)
Paper
Note books
Glue sticks
Erasers
Rulers
Pencil Sharpeners
Games
Sports equipment
Toys
Clothing (all types/sizes)
(Any thing I can’t think of teachers)

CH (MAJ) Mark E. Thompson
Brigade Chaplain
160th Signal Brigade
APO AE 09366
DSN 88-318-430-2121
CELL 011-965-720-6376
CIV 011-965-389-2121/864

2-4-08

1-31-08

1-21-08

1-14-08

1-5-08

Valentines Day Boxes go out to Iraq

- Confirmations have come in - they all arrived in time for the Big Game!

Superbowl Party Boxes have gone out weeks before the big game so they should all have them in time. The biggest was over 50 pounds this time!

THIS IS A MARINE WE HELPED BY SENDING A BOX AT CHRISTMAS , WE HEARD HE WAS ON HIS FIRST TOUR AND NOT DOING SO WELL FROM JOSH WHO CONTACTED OUR WEB SITE.

Josey

From: April B
To: Josh Wright <liljoshwright@yahoo.com>
Subject: Justin Gaines
Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:43:23 -0600

Hey Josh, How are you doing? I hope all is well with you. I just wanted to give you an update. I actually got a phone call from Justin today. He is exhausted and freezing, but for the most part doing okay. He sounded really good.

He wanted me to let you know he really appreciates everything sent to him. However, in a few weeks he will be headed out on various missions. He said the last few months they are going to be there will be go, go, go. He will be going from place to place and therefore asks that you not send anymore packages. It will take extra time to get there and he has no place to put anything anyone sends. Letters are always welcome though. Other than that, he says things are still looking good for him to be home before May, depending on if they are going to have to due a huge post-deployment thing on the coast or not.

I too want to thank you for everything you have done for him. I was so ecstatic in the letter I got today and his phone call and he sounds just like his self and said he was okay.

Thanks again. -April Blackburn

We've adopted 50 new troops in Iraq and sent the first box out today to them . Here is the original note we saw on these troops.

I received a letter from Penni, a concerned Aunt. Her nephew, CPL Lonnie Bowman, is currently in Iraq. She tells me that Lonnie and the 50 other men in his unit live on a base where there is only one little store. The owner, an Iraqi, has taken advantage of the situation by raising his prices outrageously. They have no running water and use wet wipes for washing up. They live in small, old huts on an old army base. Electricity is the only utility they have. They use hard candies when out on marches to keep their mouths moist. Sometimes they also throw some of the candies to little children, even when they don't have much for themselves.

Penni tells me that the guys will share whatever they receive. They could use any of the following items:

Kiddy mixes or individually wrapped candies they can put them in their pockets. Sheet sets for twin beds, 60's music CDs (Motown, Temptations, etc.), rugs or any type of floor covering. Even canvas tarps would help. Wet wipes, hygiene items, toiletries and simple board games to pass the time. They would like movies, but they don't have any way to play them. Maybe if someone sent them a freestanding DVD player. Also, pictures from home, postcards and anything to put on their walls.

10-24-07

People can text a message of thanks to 8-9-2-7-9, beginning at 6am EST on Saturday, November 17, and ending at midnight, PDT on November 22, Thanksgiving Day. Within a matter of seconds, the sender will receive a reply on their cell phone from America Supports You. The reply message will come from a member of the Armed Forces who is currently serving, expressing his/her appreciation for the support, both personally and on behalf of others who are serving.

The goal is to get people to take a moment during the Thanksgiving Day holiday to think about those who are serving this nation, and take an action that signifies they appreciate their sacrifices. Giving Thanks is expected to be a unifying moment for the nation, during a time in which families traditionally come together and express gratitude for things large and small that contribute to their lives. The United States currently has troops serving in 177 countries. The troops and their families will be told how many people have texted in their thanks and will get to see many of the messages.

All of the major mobile wireless providers—AT&T Wireless (Cingular), Verizon, Sprint (Nextel, Qwest), and T-Mobile provide access to The America Supports You Text Message program. There will be no upcharge.

About America Supports You

Since its formation two and a half years ago, the America Supports You program has welcomed over 300 grassroots organizations and 35 corporate sponsors to its team. Many America Supports You team members support the troops through letter writing, care packages, helping the wounded when they return home, assisting military families, sending an email or making a kind gesture—to learn more about how you can help please visit www.americasupportsyou.mil