I am SO excited! I’ve been thinking for several weeks about adopting a soldier. At first, I thought I just wanted to do something for the holidays. I was looking into it and found several websites offering matching services. I found it was hard to tell which sites were legit, but over and over I kept seeing the name Soldiers Angels.
Some info about Soldiers Angels from their website:
Soldiers’ Angels is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission of providing aide and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard and their families. We were founded by Patti Patton-Bader, mother of two American Soldiers–one who returned home from a year’s deployment to Iraq in 2004, and another who began a 15-month deployment to Iraq in late 2007. We are an international organization with members in all fifty states, Puerto Rico, and several friendly countries who support America’s men and women in uniform, and were incorporated in the state of Nevada in June of 2003.
I was talking to my mom and telling her I wanted to do this but thought it might be “too hard” or “too much work.” But then we decided, these soldiers are away from their families fighting for US and our Country. Talk about being “too much work.” I felt like a sissy.
So after some thinking and debating and getting over the “what if it’s too hard” mentality, I did it. I adopted my Soldier.
The agreement with Soldiers Angels states that I can’t tell you his name. But he is serving in Afghanistan and is not scheduled to come home until March (ish). I am to send him a weekly letter/card and a monthly care package box. At first it seemed like a lot, but really it’s so small in comparison to what he is doing for me. It’s the least I can do!
I would LOVE to have you (my beautiful, generous, smart and savvy readers) participate in this. If you have any messages you want me to add to the box, feel free to send them. You can leave comments and I’ll print them off, or if you have something longer you want to send, then use my contact form and I can print out your good wishes and send it along. I think it would be really fun to have lots of encouraging messages to send him.
I would also LOVE to be able to send him an entire box of Holiday cards. Wouldn’t that be FUN? If you are interested in sending along a card contact me and I’ll give you my address for mailing (sorry but I don’t want to post it here since it’s my house). I will need all holiday cards by December 1st to ensure (hopefully) that they get to him in time for Christmas.
I will be sharing my experiences with Soldiers Angels and my adopted here. I think it’s such a small thing that we can do for the brave men and women that are serving this great Country of ours. If you have ever thought about adopting your own soldier, be sure to! Don’t let the “it’s too much work” mentality hold you back.
Now, off to create my first care package. What should I put in it?? Ideas needed. Thanks!
We’ve been a Soliders’ Angel since September of 2007. We are apart of the Cards Plus Team and occasionally write for the TLC team. It’s a very wonderful organization and are proud to be apart of it. Can’t wait to hear how your experience is with adopting a soldier!
Really?! I’m so excited. I’m thinking of joining the Ladies of Liberty team to send stuff specifically for the females, but wanted to ease into it and not get over my head.
How nice of you! I know that the soliders like basic supplies…chapstick, bath supplies, coffee, sunblock…I will be sure to send you a holiday card so that you can put it in!
Cool beans!
I totally didn’t even think of coffee. Wonder if it should be instant or if I can send the good stuff…hhmm…must find out.
That is so awesome! I am going to have to look into that.
Instant coffee things like VIA or the Nescafe ones are a biggie so I hear! I always love these projects and so wanted to do it this year like we did a few years back but finances don’t allow. I suggest: instant coffee packets, Mrs. Dash!, Crystal Light powder, Fresh Pouch Tuna, Gum, Snack cakes, Chapstick, Magazines, handheld electronic games and foam footballs.
I thought about tuna packs but wasn’t sure. I also wanted to get some instant coffee but ran out of time at the store (had to pick up at school). So thats going into the next box for sure.
As odd as it may sound, baby wipes were always welcomed, no-matter where you are at… in the desert, on a ship, etc. It’s something that helps when real showers are not something that you get time to take (if even available) on a regular basis, so baby wipes help to freshen up and make you feel a little cleaner when in conditions where you have sand, dirt or salt water spray blowing around. Chapstick is good, but sometimes melts and makes a mess during shipping.
Carefully packed cookies are always good too, I spent many nights before heading to bed grabbing a handfull of homemade cookie (crumbs) because a little taste of home was always good…
Thanks George! I do have 2 packs of baby wipes in the box and a tin of cookies. I was hoping the tin would keep them from getting totally ruined.
I’ll post later today what everything I got in it. I hope it’s okay.
Rhea you rock!
I suggest Deodorant, Jelly Beans, Beef Jerky, playing cards, batteries
What a generous idea–I’ll contact you so I can send a card before Dec 1!