Marine's wife asks for support

Updated 11/19/10:  A couple of corrections and updates.   Shane is on his way to recovery enough that the Marines put him back to work, but it didn't last long, he's back home again.
I also received two other families' requests though.  Since these are US destination (Camp Pendleton, San Diego, California) mail time is shorter than overseas. Priority Mail can arrive in less than a week.

11/11/10
"A Proud Marine Wife" wrote me about her husband and is hoping we all can give him some support.  He has served 4 combat tours, was injured and had multiple surgeries.   She quit her job to take care of him (and their 2 little girls).

She would like some cards to show him he is valued by more than just his family. It's hard to believe our troops don't know how special they are to us and how much we appreciate them!

She asked for cards, but I'm also looking for help to get his family some extra presents for Christmas.

 Hi! My name is Korri and I was wondering if I could nominate my husband to be adopted? I do not know if he is eligible or not. He has been in the Marines for almost 13 years and has done 8 deployments and has served 4 combat tours but after being injured he is home now just having completed his 3rd corrective surgery. I just thought I could possibly find an organization that would add him to their list so he could see that he is a hero to more than just me.

He is having a rough time being down with his injury and I could love to be able to put a smile on his face and remind him of the people who are out there who support what he does and what he has sacrificed. After 3 surgeries, 2 steel plates, 14 screws and a bone graph he is finally done and on the way to a full recovery! Now that we have fixed him up physically I need to cheer him up emotionally. He is very stressed out with the holidays coming up for our kids since the last year has taken such a huge toll on us.

If he is not eligible I understand and still want you to know how much we appreciate your dedication to supporting out troops!! Thank you so very much and have a blessed day.

Korri
*Proud Marine Wife*

Of course, since there is no "official" organization here, just me and my laptop, and those of you reading this, her husband "qualifies"!  If you can send a card that would be awesome. I have some local 2nd graders sending birthday cards to her "about to turn 5" daughter whom she says is also struggling with daddy's condition.

While this isn't what "Aunt Nancy USA" usually is involved with, it's kind of a nice opportunity for all of us.

Please consider sending a card, and, if you can, also consider sending one via my fundraiser for the troops.  By buying, and sending, a card through this website, not only will you send a REAL greeting card to her family, but, 100% of the profits go back into "Aunt Nancy USA" free cards for the troops to use to send greeting cards home to their families.
Check it out here:  www.sendoutcards.com/storefront/simcocards

To get their name and address email me at nancy@auntnancyusa.com

I found out they are stationed at a Marine base just 10 miles from my home. I plan to pull together a little something for them for the holidays. If you would like to contribute that would be awesome.  Mostly though, cards of encouragement and appreciation.


Email me for their address for cards.

Thanks for your support.  Maybe we can get a couple other Marines from my neighborhood to send a little holiday cheer to.

This is their family.
Shane & Korri, and daughters:

Candy and supplies needed for the wounded warriors in Germany

From the Wounded Warriors Center at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (Army Hospital) in Germany.

My name is Lisa P. – I am the new Donations Coordinator. Laura Smith is moving to the states in July and she will be missed!!

A needs list is attached. There were only a few changes this time around. We will be doing a more complete inventory this summer and will probably update again in the fall for the colder weather.

I can tell you that we are rapidly going through our candy supply. We tend to receive candy around Christmas and Valentine’s Day and then the supply slims down for the months in between. Some sort of 4^th of July treats would be welcomed. I just started volunteering at the WWMC in January and I’m not sure what you did with Laura for the Christmas Stockings, but I am up for just about anything!

Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you and working with you in the future,

Lisa P.

Wounded Warrior Ministry Center

Pastoral Services Division

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

The Wounded Warrior Ministry Center (WWMC) is an entity within LRMC Pastoral Services that cares for the needs of wounded and ill service members medevac’d from the GWOT. The WWMC provides items of comfort to “fill holes” until the service member’s personal items can catch up with them in the military healthcare system.

The WWMC services more than 750 service members each month. Since the WWMC is a non-funded entity (within DOD), we rely on the generous donations of fellow Americans and others, both substantive and monetary, to provide these items. We truly appreciate the efforts of each and every person willing to share “hugs from home” and words of encouragement with those who have given so much for the cause of Freedom in our world!

This list will be updated periodically. Be sure to read the "NOT Needed" list too!

Phone cards – Domestic only with no expiration date

Black 30 inch duffel bags (no logos)

Long sleeve t-shirts/shirts L-XL-M-S (in this order)

Pajama pants (men’s sizes L, XL, M (in this order)

Men’s t-shirts L, M (not undershirts)

Men’s Slippers (slip-on non-slip) sizes 8-14

Women’s t-shirts S, M, L, XL

Bras/Sports bras 32-38

Travel Pillows

Nail clippers

Men’s & Women’s Deodorant

Lip Balm/Chapstick

Travel size shaving cream

Travel size Gold Bond Powder

Hand-held electronic games

Healthy snack bars, chocolate, and candy

DVDs (no extreme violence or nudity – no VHS tapes)

iTunes Cards

iPod Shuffles

DO NOT send USED items!

* * * ITEMS NOT NEEDED AT THIS TIME * * *
As of this time we have no need for anything not on the current list (updated regularly).

Thank you for your generosity.

Please do not send the following:

No Men’s white or color briefs
No CDs, Video tapes
No Bar soap, large and hotel size
Bubble bath, salts
Hair conditioner
No Large toothpaste
No Toothbrushes
Combs
Make-up and facial creams, nail polish, etc. including samples
Lotion any size
Baby wipes
Q-tips
Large economy size toiletries
Pre-packaged toiletry kits
Bath towels & face cloths
Lap blankets/double, queen or king size blankets
No Women’s underwear
No Feminine products
No Books, magazines
No Playing cards
Sudoku and puzzle books
Pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners
No Writing paper / Envelopes are needed
Blank greeting cards
Any size batteries - none are required anymore
Over the counter medications/any medications
Coffee mugs
Candles, matches, lighters
Canned food
Any knitted items
Signed holiday cards (Christmas, Valentines, Easter, etc.) Please only send a very few – we receive thousands more than the number of patients that come in all year and cannot possibly distribute them all.
NO Used clothing – or clothing with stains or holes or broken zippers, missing buttons, etc.

For updated list contact: WoundedWarriorMinistryCenter@yahoo.com

April 2009

Donation to the WWMC fund for items that are used for targeted high-demand and seasonal items would be acceptable
(payable to: IMCOM-E CTOF-WW)
_______________________________

I do not publish individual's addresses online.
If you want to help, email me at nancy@auntnancyusa.com

_______________________________

CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS FOR THE TROOPS - 2008

It is very exciting to be sponsoring the Christmas stocking project again this year! It was a big success last year at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) where volunteers handed them out to the newly wounded troops arriving at this US Army hospital in Germany. The soldiers receiving them in Iraq were thrilled too!


CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS UPDATE

WOUNDED: We are all set with the 500 asked for by LRMC IF everyone who pledge stockings sends them.

SOLDIERS IN IRAQ: Also I'm trying to get as many as I can to our troops out in the field. I've had TWO new units join me this week, so I have over 200 Christmas stockings wanted! As I have to keep track of the number going to the different locations, please ask me for the addresses. I do not post that info online. Do not forward addresses I give you to others. If friends want to help have them email me.

For suggestions on what to send, see my blog post on November 3rd about Christmas Stockings to the Wounded Warriors :

LRMC Wounded Warriors Ministry - 500 Christmas Stockings wanted

MAILING DATES: From here on out you must use PRIORITY MAIL!

Packages should be sent out this week or next. Prior to Thanksgiving is usually my recommendation, and it's later this year than last. Mail to Germany and some troops in Iraq takes less time than Afghanistan, so for them the first week of December should be good, again, IF you use PRIORITY MAIL at the US post office.

CUSTOMS FORM: You will need to complete a Customs Declaration form. When listing items on the Customs form it can be a big red flag for thieves. That's always a concern. I never list "Christmas stockings". I write "socks". Of course, the candy and other details you have to list are tempting, but we gotta' do it! I also don't list the name of any candy, magazines, nor dvd titles. Use your imagination don't be too descriptive.
Anything liquid (shampoo, etc.) must be sealed in a plastic Ziploc-style bag.

Safety for the troops is a concern at the other end. Be sure to include a note INSIDE the box with your full name and address, and indicate that you are participating in the "Aunt Nancy USA Christmas project".

Boxes should be very neat and professional. No cute stickers or decorations. Use 2" wide tape on all edges. If the "TO" or "FROM" addresses are not absolutely readable the package may get discarded. Security reasons again.

FREE BOXES: Get your free boxes from the Post Office ASAP -- they often run out this time of year! FLAT RATE boxes have almost always saved me about half the shipping costs. Make sure you get the FLAT RATE Priority Mail boxes for APO mailing! There is a $2 mailing discount! Look for the "America Supports You" logo on the box and/or ASK for help at the post office. You can also order online. Here's what you can use. #3 is best so try to get your boxes ahead of time.

1. PRIORITY MAIL Box from the USPS - will get there quicker, but can be costly
   
2. FLAT RATE Priority Mail - one price for up to 20 lbs!! Usually saves me HALF the cost. ($9.80) 2 sizes/shapes available.
   
3. APO BOXES (Army Post Office) Large/Priority Mail box - is also FLAT RATE plus a $2.00 discount off of that. ($10.95 instead of $12.95) 12x12x5.5"

http://www.usps.com/prices/priority-mail-prices.htm

See the following

“This is the first time the Postal Service has offered a special price for our armed forces serving overseas,” said Postmaster General John Potter. “We’re proud that family and friends will be able to use this new larger-sized box to send much appreciated packages from home to our dedicated troops overseas.”

The new Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box (12" x 12" x 5 ½" or 800 cubic inches) will be available in Post Offices nationwide, but customers can order them at usps APO boxes or by calling 800-610-8734. Some of the new boxes are co-branded with the logo of America Supports You, which is a Department of Defense program that connects citizens offering support to the military and their families.

_______________________________

Sending cards to "Any Soldier" is NOT acceptable

Once again this year, there is an email circulating around the internet asking people to send an extra Christmas card or two to "Any Soldier", or "Recovering Soldier" at Walter Reed Hospital. The Army has warned of this mis-informed goal. You do not know where it actually started. While it is a noble idea, tens of thousands of Christmas cards have to be opened and inspected for security reasons, and it just can't be done by the hospitals. Thousands get thrown away.

Here's a link for other ways Walter Reed Army Hospital can use help: http://www.wramc.army.mil/support/Pages/default.aspx

I have names of troops you can send your cards to if you would like to do so.

_______________________________

THANKS! A Special Request for an Injured Soldier

UPDATE: 2/12/08
Tracy is actually spelled TRACI. (click on her picture above to see it larger)
Also, there are two more wounded fellows, so if you haven't sent your card/package, let me know!
Here is a THANK YOU note from Traci, but only for a few emails. She has NO idea of the number of cards and packages coming her way!
...thank you for all of your support as well. it's your support that gets us all
through this hard time. it is greatly appreciated.
the accident happened february 5th and we had 3
anti-tank grenades thrown at our vehicle. our
passenger in the front seat was wounded pretty bad but
he's alive and not going to lose any limbs so that's
good. our gunner got a little shrapnel in his butt but
he's ok and i have a huge bruise on my arm. at first,
i honestly thought my arm got blown off. the grenades
that they threw are the most dangerous ones out there
right now so we are all very lucky to be alive.
I honestly will never be able to express to you how
much all this means to me. It's so awesome to know
that we have such amazing people supporting us and
what we have to go through. I will definitely keep in
touch. again, thank you.
Traci

-------------------------

UPDATE 2/11/08: WOW! I received a tremendous response to this request, and well, I think she's going to need a larger room to accomodate all the cards and goodies!!! You can be sure she'll share with troops there with her.
The other good news is that she's not hurt too badly, although I don't know the details. Apparently, they expect she'll be able to return to duty. (I'm not sure if that is good or bad news!)
She was a return to duty, she is recuperating with her unit.(a lot of
pain and swelling) I will tell her to distribute the care packages how
she sees fit... She is a great person and soldier... She will take care
of other soldiers in her unit, I am sure of it. She just started her
tour there so she is going to be there at least another year!!! So just
let all of your GREAT people thank you from me as well as the troops
over there, and know they have a soldier for the long run in Traci. I am
still working on that pic she sent one, but forgot to attach it. Its
coming I promise. SGT Matthew Kockx (pic below)

---------------------

2/8/08 Today I received this request from a soldier we supported several years ago and with whom I'm still in touch. Maybe you could help?

hello Aunt Nancy!!!! i havent talked to you in a while!!! how have things been? im sure you have only gotten busier huh....
i have a huge favor to ask of you. my best friend is in Iraq right now.... was just injured [by] a IED*. can you get her room filled with care packages???? as a favor to me? i would be forever in your debt.... your #1 soldier SGT Matthew Kockx


I won't post the name or address of the wounded female online, but you may just email me and ask for the information. If any of you can send at least a card that would be wonderful! If you can send some small package: Awesome!
I can tell you she is from a COB (Combat Out Post). Read a recent blog entry below for that description of living conditions

If you are sending her a little "get-well" package, keep in mind she'll probably share with the other wounded troops around her there. And, here's my 3rd plug for GIRL SCOUT COOKIES! :-) Valentine goodies would be nice too I'm sure.

I'll be posting updates on her condition soon.

*IED:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Munitions rigged for an IED discovered by Iraqi police in Baghdad, November 2005.

An improvised explosive device (IED) is a bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action. They may be partially comprised of conventional military explosives, such as an artillery round, attached to a detonating mechanism. IEDs are often placed on the curb of roads so as to detonate at passing vehicles or pedestrians, and so are sometimes known as roadside bombs.

__________________________

Other Sites You Can Help With

Friends,

There has been such a wonderful response to recent publicity of "Aunt Nancy USA" that I am unable to connect all of you individually to the troops overseas. (Right now I have no new troops for you.) Since I'm just a small "one-woman" organization, I've been researching some of the many "support the troops" projects that you might want to help with instead. Recently three have been brought to my attention that I'd like you to consider.

• Soldiers' Angels started a couple of months after me and very much like me, except by a Mom and not an Aunt ...they grew very big, and even got a non-profit status! In fact, they told me this week that they have many soldiers waiting for support and not enough Angels. Since I have the opposite situation, we are going to do some coordination. Look at their website directly if you would like. Tell them "Aunt Nancy" sent you!

SOLDIERS' ANGELS

• Want to help with knit hats and slippers to keep the troops warm? It's freezing there this time of year. This group also focuses on the wounded warriors, like the ones we sent Christmas stockings to at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Check out them out for some of the ways you can help send "Hugs From Home":

THE SHIPS PROJECT

• A couple of my former General Motors co-workers pointed me to this Michigan group that sends all the typical goodies, plus pillows, hand-made "Four Freedoms" quilts, even bread makers!, and well, quite a variety of items to the troops. They look very organized! If you live in the area you can get actively involved too.
  

OPERATION QUIET COMFORT
They are tax-deductible too!

These groups may be able to help you help the troops better and easier than I can. Each has a different approach. Take a look and let me know what you think. If you find other groups you like to use, and think I should post them on my Blog, tell me.

Remember, most of these groups are just volunteers like me trying to do the best they can. It's hard to keep up with the troop changes and military addresses, and often overwhelming. Few of us are "experts".

Meanwhile, as soon as I get new soldiers I'll be assigning individuals to those of you still waiting! I hope to keep my project small enough to stay personal with direct contact to the troops and you.

____________________________________

Merry Christmas!

IT'S BEEN A PRETTY WILD RIDE FOR ME THESE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS - OVER 1,700 EMAILS IN 6 WEEKS OR SO!!! HUNDREDS OF NEW VOLUNTEERS! WHAT A BOOST FOR THE TROOPS FOR CHRISTMAS!!

THOUSANDS! OF CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS WERE SENT OUT, AND HUNDREDS OF TROOPS RECEIVED YOUR PACKAGES! YOU ALL DONE REAL GOOD! :)

SINCE HE SAYS IT BETTER THAN I CAN, AND IT'S BETTER TO HEAR THANKS DIRECTLY, HERE IS A "NOTE FROM DREW" I RECEIVED TODAY, (FOLLOWED BY AN EMAIL FROM THE LANDSTUHL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER:

From Left to Right (Squatting) SGT Crittser (Critter), SPC Wray (Medic), SPC Agnor
(Standing) SSG Cantu, SGT Larson, SGT Carter, SPC Hulett, Me [Drew], Santa (Chaplain McCain), SGT Hayes (with Reindeer Horns) CPL Perez, SPC Vargas, SPC Gonzalez, and SPC Mosley
(you can "click" on pictures to enlarge the view)

All,

After a couple of days back here in the Boondocks to refit and recharge, my Security Squad and I are about to head out for a few days again. We'll be visiting a few different Forward Operating Bases (FOB) that are small, austere and are missing the nicer things that we are accustomed to here at the Victory Base Complex in Baghdad.

[Here] is a photo of my guys along with Santa...our Battalion Chaplain, Major McCain. In addition, there is a second photo taken this morning just after we received mail. When I get boxes this is the table I sit them on so the guys can go through and take what they want.

Before we move out today I wanted to send a note and tell each of you how much I appreciate all the support, boxes, packages, notes, cards, emails and letters. My Soldiers and I feel appreciated and feel honored that so many folks back home would take the time to send packages and supporting notes and cards during this special time of year. We know that everyone is very busy during the holidays, and that you each took some of your time to show us your support means a great deal to us. Thank You.

In addition, as 2007 comes to a close and we prepare for the New Year, I want to thank you for your support during 2007. It was a long, hard year and much has happened...but we all know that we have much to be thankful for and we are in good spirits as we get ready to finish off these last 5 months.

Finally, from the guys of the 720th Military Police Battalion "Soldiers of the Gauntlet", MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I hope each of you have a wonderful holiday.

Sincerely,

Drew

Some of the guys from the Headquarters going through some of the many boxes we received:

----------------

FROM THE LANDSTUHL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IN GERMANY-
Together we sent 1,000 beautiful stockings to these Wounded Warriors!

Hi Nancy,

Thank you for the greeting! and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Yes, we have been giving out the stockings and will through Christmas day and maybe a bit beyond. It has been fun giving these to our wounded and ill Heroes. They certainly have enjoyed receiving them and knowing they are supported by people back home.

Thank you for all you have done to make this possible and please send a big THANK YOU to your groups from our Heroes here.

Sincerely,
Sharon

Sharon Southwell
Donations Coordinator
Wounded Warrior Ministry Center
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

______________________________________________

NEWS! Now you CAN mail cards to the wounded troops!

Here's good news! The Military has come up with a way to send cards to the wounded troops around the world! Security has been the big issue. I received this email a couple of days ago. Check it out:

Below is the correct information until 27 December, 2007.

Holiday Cards to Injured Service Members This Holiday Season

The following message is from Neal Denton, Senior Vice President, Service to the Armed Forces: This holiday season, we have a great opportunity to bring a touch of home to wounded warriors recovering in military hospitals across the country.

As you may know, the American public has a strong desire to send holiday cards to soldiers staying at Walter Reed and other military medical centers. However, for security reasons, the former military program was discontinued. One of our colleagues at Walter Reed suggested, "If

anyone can find a solution to this - it's the Red Cross."

We're proud that this season, communities across America are invited to mail holiday greeting cards along with personal messages of support to wounded soldiers at military hospitals around the country, through a unique partnership of the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Mailing Solutions.

Now we have a solution that will not only benefit soldiers at Walter Reed, but also recovering soldiers at military hospitals around the nation. With the help of the Department of Defense, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Pitney Bowes, between now and December 27, members of the public will be invited to mail their holiday cards to:

We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross
PO Box 419
Savage, MD 20763-0419

Red Cross volunteers will sort the cards for appropriate content and repackage them for shipping. Our steadfast partners, Pitney Bowes, will ship the cards to Red Cross stations at the military hospitals.

This project provides a great opportunity for chapters and station offices to coordinate resources and volunteers. Staff members at national headquarters will call each station office before packages are mailed to that military hospital. Those station managers will be looking for chapter volunteer support to help in accepting, storing and delivering the cards.

We realize this is short notice. It took some time to work out a plan with the Department of Defense to revitalize this wonderful program and provide a way for people to express their support. I have every confidence that Red Crossers will want to participate in this joyous project. Already, we have had a very positive response at national headquarters to help with the sorting and packing.

Thank you for your support of SAF. And our office hopes that you enjoy your holidays surrounded by friends and family!

------------------------------

CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS FOR THE TROOPS - Update

CHRISTMAS PROJECT:
1,000 STOCKINGS FOR THE NEWLY WOUNDED TROOPS!

Current pledges: 1,000!!
We made it!
New pledges are still requested for groups
stationed in Iraq.

Can you help? I am trying to get families, Scouts, work, church, and school groups who will sign up to purchase, fill, and ship Christmas stockings for the troops.

We've met the goal for stockings to the newly arriving wounded at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center! If you told me you would send some stockings to them, do so. Any NEW requests will go to soldiers in Iraq, such as those below.
The stockings should be filled and ready for "Santa" to hand out.

Christmas packages need to be shipped by Thanksgiving if possible! Since Thanksgiving is a week early this year, PRIORITY MAIL boxes shipped the week after should still arrive before Christmas Eve. Late packages to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany will still be good as the Chaplains will continue to pass out stockings to new arrivals into the first week of the new year.

LRMC patients are a bit different than at Walter Reed Army Hospital (D.C.) or the Brooke Army Hospital (San Antonio). LRMC patients come directly from the "battle field" with no belongings, and are temporary -- ASAP they are sent to the Army hospitals in the USA. That is why we don't have individual names. They come and go frequently.

--------------------------

If you are new and want to send some stockings, please send me an email and I will give you a name and address for troops in Iraq whom I'm collecting for.

-------------------------

November 29, 2007

Hi Nancy,

Yes, the stockings are beautiful. Attached is a picture of some of them - just a few. We have many more and are receiving them daily. I believe we have over 500 now even though we haven't actually counted them. Pictured with the stockings are Staff Sergeant Jones and volunteers Mark Tillery and Jenny Clinton.

Thank you for organizing this stocking drive for our Heroes!


Sharon
Wounded Warrior Ministry Center Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

--------------------------

Hi Aunt Nancy Simioni,


We had several boxes today of stockings from your wonderful donors who have put together incredible Christmas stockings! Thank you for all you have done to get these to us. We will start distributing them on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. 750 is an incredible number and we appreciate all of them. Will let you know as they continue to come in that we have received them.


Thank you again for all you do for our wounded and ill Heroes - they certainly appreciate the support from home represented in every stocking - hand packed with love.


Sincerely,
Sharon
Wounded Warrior Ministry Center
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center


OTHER STOCKING PROJECTS:

720th MPB: Stockings are also being collected for "Santa" Craig to pass out at Christmas Eve Services.

An Air Force unit would also REALLY appreciate some cheer! As of Dec 31, our troops in this unit will no longer be "in theater".


18th Military Police: If you have a soldier in this group you may send stockings to SGT Delonda Allen for distribution at their Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

NAMES SHOULD NOT BE ATTACHED TO A STOCKING. They should be "generic".

Dollar stores usually have very nice 12" red and white fluffy stockings for, yep, $1 each.


IDEAS FOR FILLING THE STOCKINGS:
Christmas music CD

DOMESTIC company phone cards (like AT&T)
Unbreakable Christmas ornament
Mini-candy canes (they don't break like the big ones)
Microwave popcorn packets

DVDs (no VHS)
Body lotions - small bottles (seal in a baggie)

Travel size shampoo and deodorant
Twizzlers, mixed nuts, and Beef Jerky
Holiday cards signed by family and friends
Cookies, Snacks & Candy, Lots of Candy!!
-- fun stuff for all the holidays! (Drug store shelves are full of fun holiday candy)
Small dice game: LCR (Left/Center/Right)
Nail clippers
Hand-held electronic games

Comic books
Toy cars (MicroMachines), paper or balsa wood airplanes, etc.
They love chocolate, and it's a fairly cool month to ship. (just in case: enclose in sealed baggies!)

The Vets suggested maybe something sports oriented like anything from the Red Sox, Yankees, Lions, Red Wings or Bulls. Baseball caps or hey, even baseballs. Don't forget college teams! I'm told that any day of the week they would rather have received something that reminded them of home more than shaving cream!
Santa hat or silly reindeer antlers (again, FUN things!),
Postcards of USA and Christmas scenes
Groups filling many boxes might use these Weblinks:
http://www.orientaltrading.com
http://www.mninternational.com/Patriotic/Catalog.cfm/iCatID/1472
Deck of cards: http://www.shindigz.com/catalog.cfm?pgp=6w035g

Once you start shopping you'll find LOTS of ideas of your own!

Tie a PINK ribbon on any stockings specifically for the women.

A note from Sharon at LRMC about phone cards:
People get the cards from Sam's Club, Costco and sometimes, I have heard, even the Dollar Store. AT&T is, of course, well known. The most important thing is that they are DOMESTIC cards. They can connect through a base in the United States so they get the total amount of minutes on the card. If they call through the overseas lines on an international card, they won't get as many minutes.
Calling cards are a great item - and much appreciated by the patients.
Thank you,
Sharon


For holiday packages please print out and include a note such as:

We are gladly participating in the
Aunt Nancy USA
"Operation Santa's Helpers" project
www.auntnancyusa.com
Your name/Group Name
Followed by your own personal message
(including a picture of yourself/family/group makes it personal)

It may also be a good idea to include a self-addressed (no stamp required) return envelope in each stocking if you want to know who got it and maybe a reply.

Mailing HOAX - sending to "Any Soldier", etc

There is an email circulating around the internet asking people to send an extra Christmas card or two to "Any Soldier", or "Recovering Soldier" at Walter Reed Hospital.

DO NOT DO THIS!

For security reasons the Military will not accept such mail, and, the hospital would not be able to handle that many cards either.

The same is true for sending packages overseas.


Please pass this information back up the email chain if you have received such an email, or get one in the future.

Also, my contact at Walter Reed Army Hospital (shown on my website) is no longer there, so do not use that address for cards either.

US Army warns of holiday mail hoax

Networkworld.com website

The US Army is warning the public of a hoax e-mail asking recipients to send holiday mail to soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The e-mail instructs recipients to send Christmas cards to "A Recovering American Soldier," and lists Walter Reed's Washington, D.C., mailing address.
While the idea sounds good on paper the medical center cannot accept and the US Postal Service no longer will deliver such items. Under a 2001 policy designed to improve security, the medical center can't accept mail addressed to "Any Wounded Soldier" or "A Recovering American Soldier."
According to an article on the ArmyTimes.com Web site, Lt. Col. Kevin Arata, a spokesman for Army Human Resources Command, said his office has been inundated with inquiries from the public about the e-mail. "It's not true," he said. "Don't do it."
Instead, the public is asked to military's "American Supports You" Web site for information about more than 300 nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping U.S. soldiers and their families.

The Walter Reed Web site offers these sites if you want to show support for service personnel:
USO: http://www.usocares.org/
US Army site: http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/tooursoldiers/
Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org

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ADOPTING A SOLDIER - Christmas Status

THANKS FOR WANTING TO JOIN IN AND SUPPORT OUR MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE FAR FROM HOME, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS, AND SERVING IN SUCH DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.

Since Disney's "FAMILY FUN MAGAZINE" November issue included an article listing my website, I have been overwhelmed with requests to help -- over 900 new volunteers and 1,700 emails in the last 5 weeks! WOW! I expect that number to keep growing over the next few weeks too. It was a great idea. Unfortunately, since there is no "organization" here, just me and my computer, I have been struggling to keep up (and awake at my computer).

As of November 27, 2007: I have completed my Christmas project. No additional names will be available until after 1st of the year. Thanks for all your support!!!


Although complete for this year, here's what was available:

You can choose to "adopt' a soldier throughout his or her full deployment in Iraq or Afghanistan. Or, just participate for Christmas gifts and cards.

I can give you a name of a soldier for a Christmas package (rather than the full year-long "adoption"). If you would like to do that, send me an email with "Christmas Gift" in the SUBJECT line of your email.

I'm asking for help with the Christmas stockings for the troops in Iraq-- see the Blog entry below. Some have already started arriving! We only need a few more pledged!

When you agree to "adopt" a soldier for his or her full deployment, it is nice if you can send at least a card every 3 weeks or so. Every-other week would be awesome! You don't have to write a lot, you can use commercial greeting cards. It is nice if in your first letter you tell them a little something about yourself, and even include a photo (just like we would like them to do.)

We are not "adopting" to be pen-pals though. Some soldiers will write back (or email) frequently. Some will not respond for months. Many never do. We are doing this to send support and cheer, and to not let them feel forgotten as so many have.

If you want to send a goody package now and then, that is great. Even a manila envelope with a pack of gum or microwave popcorn is fun. You don't have to spend a big sum of money. Do as little or as much as you want.

If you find you are not getting around to supporting the troop you are responsible for, just let me know, it happens. I can assign another volunteer.

Likewise, if you lose your information, I can resend it. THAT happens a lot! :-)

If you have not already done so, be sure to enter your name on my website e-mailing list so you can get group updates. Go to www.auntnancyusa.com enter your email address, and click "SUBMIT". And, check back here on my Blog often. You can add/delete your own email address on my website yourself.

If you to adopt a wounded soldier, contact "Big John" below:

http://adoptasoldier.bigjohnmiska.com/ - helping wounded troops

"Aunt" Nancy Simioni

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WOUNDED WARRIORS MINISTRY CENTER

For the 3rd year in a row I am encouraging support of the Chaplains' "WOUNDED WARRIORS MINISTRY CENTER" at the LANDSTUHL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER in Germany. The WWMC is an entity within LRMC Pastoral Services that cares for the needs of wounded and ill service members medevac'd in from the "theater". They provide items of comfort to "fill holes" until the service member's personal items can catch up with them in the military healthcare system.

They are a non-funded entity within the DOD, and rely on the generous donations of fellow Americans and others, both substantive and monetary, to provide the items.

They truly appreciate each and every person willing to share "hugs from home" and words of encouragement with those who have given so much for the cause of freedom in our world.

LRMC patients are a bit different than at Walter Reed Army Hospital (D.C.) or the Brooke Army Hospital (San Antonio). LRMC patients come directly from the "battle field" with no belongings, and are temporary -- ASAP they are sent to the Army hospitals in the USA. That is why we don't have individual names. They come and go frequently.

In addition to our Christmas Stocking project, here is their year-long request, mostly for monetary donations.

LANDSTUHL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

WOUNDED WARRIOR MINISTRY CENTER

CMR 402

APO AE 09180

13 December 2006

Department of Pastoral Services

Dear Potential Donor:

On behalf of the staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, I want to thank you for your generosity in assisting our wounded service members and the families of our wounded warriors. The Wounded Warrior Ministry Center, formerly the Chaplain's Clothes Closet Ministry, started in October 2002 at the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom and strives to meet the needs of our wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Wounded Warrior Ministry began when wounded soldiers started arriving at Landstuhl dressed in operating room gowns. Our medical system is so responsive to our wounded that from the time a soldier is injured downrange until he/she arrives at Landstuhl can be as little as six hours. The Wounded Warrior Ministry Center provides new sweat suits, underwear, black duffle bags, athletic shoes, toiletries, sundries, winter coats in season, phone cards, and other helpful items for all wounded soldiers whether they are in- or out- patients. The items are provided to all US service personnel regardless of branch of service (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard), component (Active Duty, Reserve or National Guard), or race, religion, national origin or gender.

The Wounded Warrior Ministry Center is managed by the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Chaplain's Office and is supported by military and civilian volunteer efforts, and by individual, organizational and corporate gifts and funds. To handle the volume of donations, a special projects non-appropriated fund sub-account (the Wounded Warrior Fund) approved by the Army Chief of Chaplains was established at the Installation Management Command – Europe, Chapel Tithe and Offering Fund. The Installation Management Agency Europe Resource Manager, Chaplain Timothy Meador is the Chaplain Fund Manager and the account is subject to strict management controls in accordance with Army Regulation 165-1, Chaplain Activities in the United States Army. The Wounded Warrior Ministry Center serves an average of 780 patients per month. The Wounded Warrior Fund also supports the ministry of the chaplain who cares for the out-patients housed at Kleber Barracks located about 12 miles from the hospital. When the Global War on Terrorism ends and there are no further demands on the Wounded Warrior Ministry Center, the funds remaining in the Wounded Warrior Fund will be sent to support the work of the chaplains at the Center for the Intrepid, The National Armed Forces Physical Rehabilitation Center, to be built at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The remaining clothing items will be sent to unit religious ministry teams downrange, for distribution to the needy of Iraq and Afghanistan.

In the past, many groups have offered check donations to the Wounded Warrior Fund

(payable to IMCOM-E CTOF-WW)

which were used to buy specific targeted seasonal high demand clothing items such as winter coats and gloves. Others have elected to provide new clothing directly to the Wounded Warrior Ministry Center. The sorts of items that are most useful and that have been donated previously include black duffle bags, “three packs” of men's and women's underwear, sweat tops and bottoms, men's and women's athletic shoes, telephone calling cards, DVDs, portable DVD players, and toiletries of all sorts. One hundred percent of all donations go directly to support our wounded soldiers since there is no organizational overhead.

Our mailing address is:

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center,

ATTN: MCEUL-CH/Chaplains Office,

CMR 402, APO AE 09180

and our direct donor phone line is 011-49-6371-86-7419.

Please continue to pray for our wounded warriors and their families, and again thank you for your interest in the Wounded Warrior Ministry Center and the Wounded Warrior Fund.

Sincerely,

James R. Griffith

Chaplain (Colonel) USArmy

Chief of Pastoral Services

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If you prefer to send items, currently they are looking for help with some special needs:

1. Polo shirts L-XL-M-S (in that order)
   
2. Men's ankle socks and crew socks
3. Boxers and Boxer briefs (colors) Med & Large
4. Hand-held electronic games
5. Phone cards 60-120 minutes (Domestic companies, ex. AT&T)
6. Ladies and Men's travel size deodorant
7. Nail clippers
8. CD's (no violent lyrics)
   

This list changes regularly; I will update it as I can.


Here is a weblink that was recently sent to me. It plays "America the Beautiful" while showing beautiful scenes from every State in the USA. Only at the end did I find it can also be a fund raiser for the "Wounded Warrior Ministry"! http://oldbluewebdesigns.com/mybeautifulamerica.htm

You can purchase the CD. It would make a great Christmas present for family, friends, AND of course, our troops! The sales raise money for the Wounded Warriors fund. Check it out!

Treat yourself while you work or surf the net --- play the music and pass it along!

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