Anysoldier.com
 

Some of you know that I work as a newspaper columnist. I'm preparing my annual "I hate Valentine's Day" column, but this year with a difference. Instead of buying useless stuff that no one really likes (I am not including chocolate - that everyone likes) I am going to encourage my readers (and fellow GCers!) to go to www.anysoldier.com and send a package or letter to one of our troops in harm's way. I got the idea from Whatever with Alexis and Jennifer - my favorite show on Sirrius (www.whateverradio.com). Please consider helping out a member of our military by sending a package with necessities - the women are especially heart-wrenching, as their lists almost all include feminine hygiene products WE take for granted - but all of the items would obviously really help make a difference for the person who receives it. I think this would be a GREAT activity for a chapter - maybe even for a recruitment philanthropy idea. Teachers - how about having your class write some letters or collect items for a package or two? If you can't send a package, send a card! And do read the information on the site - there are some restrictions on what can be sent, and what is needed has changed somewhat over time.
Thanks!

eta - yes, I know the site has been mentioned before - but rather than bump an old thread and make people wade through stuff I thought I'd just make it simple.

Great idea! I have been a supporter of the anysoldier.com website for many years and I highly recommend it.

.....Kelly :)

Bump because i think this is a great thing to do not just for valentines day. . .

Also one of my chapters recruitment events this year was to make cards to send the troops for valentines day we had a lot of fun coming up with funny poems. . .

I just got two addresses, I'm going to have my kids write to them and I think I'm going to talk to my principal about doing a school wide community service for them (raising supplies to send to them in goody bags). I know that parents in my community don't make a lot but I also know that they are willing to help when needed.

LOL....service personnel *love* getting letters from kids. Often their letters are so innocent and touching - especially because they see the Soliders/Sailors/Airmen/Marines as heroes. And, usually, the spelling errors and comments are pretty funny. :)

Also, make sure to screen the letters so that the kids don't write things like, "Are you doing to die?" :o They don't know any better and that may be what they're really wondering.

.....Kelly :)

Here are two letters the my nephew wrote for Marines:

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...dierletter.jpg


http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...ierletter2.jpg


.....Kelly :)