Lunch with Korri, a new baby, and 800 stockings!!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Lunch with Korri, a new baby, and 800 stockings!!

Today I had the rare pleasure of meeting one of our recipients! After finding out "Proud Marine Wife" Korri was living at a base just 10 miles from my home, we made plans to meet for lunch.
Then, another online friend, Rita, who has been supporting the troops through this program of mine, mentioned she would be in my area this week, so, we all met! A triple blind date!
And we were joined by my sister too.

We had a nice Mexican lunch, talked a lot, walked the coast a bit, and showed Korri a little life off the base!

I never know where this project will lead me, but it's always good!

Thanks to all of you who jumped in to help our 3 Marine families.
Good news for the LeTourneau Family: Dustin came home early from Afghanistan, and their new baby boy also arrived early! There's a lot of adjustment going on at their home, and your notes of cheer and support are a very big help.

Here are some photos from today. Oh, and another 100 stockings were pledged! We went OVER the 800 mark! whoo hoo! Now THAT'S a great day!

Rita, Nancy, Korri, Ronee

It's nice to finally getting more connections with our Marines! (Especially since I live near one of the largest -- THE largest? -- Marine base in the country! Camp Pendleton.) Let me know if you can help.

_______________________________

Holidays Projects

12/17/10 update:
Thanks everyone for making this one of the biggest participation holiday yet!!!

Anyone up for Valentine packages???

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Get ready to send Christmas stockings: due to the mailing time to Afghanistan, we need to mail holiday packages in mid-November when possible!

Even with Priority Mail, it can take 4 to 6 weeks. We want all packages to arrive at least a week before Christmas. For Iraq mail by Thanksgiving Weekend if possible. *update 11/26: Mail has been arriving quickly -- some in just 2 weeks! Many packages are already in the hands of our troops. So we have time to get more out!

And if you are sending holiday cards or decorations of any kind, it is nice for them to arrive 2 or 3 weeks ahead.

For the first time, I'm having a fundraiser to give more greeting cards to our troops to send home, right from their computers.
Consider buying a card, which provides one for the military. $2.99 per card, including the postage stamp. I appreciate the help.
click: Cards for The Troops

See November 22nd posting for mailing information ------>

2010 CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROJECT

STOCKINGS FOR
Troops in Afghanistan & Iraq:
goal 600
609 pledged

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THE WOUNDED WARRIORS at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany:
goal: 200
200 pledged

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Hanukkah gifts:
goal: 7
7 pledged

I do NOT publish any individuals' addresses on this blog nor my website! If you want to help, please email me for instructions. nancy@auntnancyusa.com

Be sure your current email address is SUBMITTED on my website to be included in monthly webmail updates: www.auntnancyusa.com

Please: Never pass along a troops's info. Check with me.

Some soldiers available

At this time I have only a few troops in Afghanistan . I do have a few contacts who would like goodies to pass out to their units. One Chaplain in particular is asking for cookies and candy for his 600+ troops.

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center is looking for candy for the wounded troops.

If you would like to help, send me an email at this email address:
nancy@auntnancyusa.com

Also note: If your Marine/soldier's unit is getting ready to redeploy and exit Iraq or Afghanistan, their Army Post Office (APO) or FPO mailboxes usually close down 30 days in advance.

Ideas of what to send:
NOTE: in spite of what I told some of you, the troops no longer need, or rarely use, AA or AAA batteries! Not all want more music CDs but some do! Send batteries and CDs only if specifically mentioned in my email to you.
Gotta' keep up with the newer technology these kids use! They DO want iTunes cards and iPod Shuffles if YOU want to be a hero! Phone cards too!

They also really like the small energy drink "shots". Small microwavable meals which don't need refrigeration are handy, and they often appreciate a recent magazine.

While chocolate does melt, some soldiers tell me that melted chocolate is better than NO chocolate! Just be sure to put anything that melts or is liquid in zip-loc style bags. Sand gets into everything which makes sealed bags always a good idea. In fact, put everything you can in a sealable bag. The troops re-use them too

And, check out the cool little instant coffee packets Starbucks sells now -- they are perfect for inserting in packages.

ABOUT AUNT NANCY

Just a little FYI here: I began writing the troops when my niece was stationed in Baghdad with the 18th Military Police back in May of 2003. Three of her troops were not getting much mail so I started sending them notes and goodies. My wonderful General Motors Engineering co-workers started joining in, word spread, and well, 6 years later over 2,000 people from around the world are now registered on my website and helping out!

There is no formal organization here - just me and my laptop making connections 1 at a time, trying to do the best that I can.

If you would like to sponsor a soldier or sailor, send me an email request. I do not post names on the internet.
Email: nancy@auntnancyusa.com

If you have a friend or family member serving who could use some extra support, send them my way.

Nancy Simioni
Vista, California

Words of Encouragement

Many times we have heard from our troops that just a simple note with words of support and encouragement can save a soldier. The stress of what they are dealing with often gets to them. You don't have to spend a lot of money sending packages. A friendly greeting card every week or every few weeks can make the difference! (Buying a box or package of cards will keep the cost down.)

It's very hot in Iraq and Afghanistan Summers (it goes up to 120!), and these troops are working 10 to 18 hours a day! They are often out in the field for days at a time. In the Winter it gets absolutely freezing temperatures. They may be on their 2nd or 3rd deployment. If he or she has any energy left to sit back and write a letter, family and friends will most likely hear back first. Even those replies are rare. Of course, they might also just be 19 year olds who hate to write! Frankly, most have NEVER written a letter. But don't quit!

It is OK to stop sending additional packages if you have not received a reply after several months. In fact, I would suggest you send a card BEFORE sending a package. If you want to send a gift tell them you need a response FIRST so you can confirm the address is correct.

Mostly I encourage you to keep mailing notes of support. Sending notes frequently can build a relationship, even if it's only a one way conversation for awhile. Tell them you are there for them if they need you. Remind them that we are thinking of them. Find some funny greeting cards; Send a family photo; a return envelope; Include a local newspaper (especially the sports section!) or a postcard; tell them what's happening in your daily life.

Words of Encouragement: much more valuable than "stuff".

To get email updates about the troops in my program be sure you have your email address SUBMITTED on my website: www.auntnancyusa.com even if you haven't adopted an individual soldier.
And check back on this Blog often.
July 2009

Aunt Nancy USA - Supporting The Troops

Monday, December 6, 2010