Ok, went and did some shopping for the holiday care package I am preparing to send to my adopted soldiers. I have to say it was a wonderful time! I went to the .99 cent store to get the most bang for the buck and it was like stuffing stockings for Christmas and I think its because I know how much it will be appreciated upon receipt.
I already know I am going to have to set a BUDGET for these care packages because its easy to go over board and I want to make sure I spread it out till the end of their deployment.
I have had colleagues and family answer my call by sponsoring packages! its infectious…the more people I tell the more people that want to get involved…I even told the checker at the .99 cent store in West Oakland that everything I bought was going overseas to our troops. She asked how I got involved and what she could do too. We agreed next month when I make another care package shopping trip that I would bring more info.
When I was shopping I was sure to include a couple fun things for the holidays, treats for children which I have been told are appreciated because the soldiers give them out…as well, I kept thinking about BURNING MAN – since I attended the event for 6 years as well as doing some heavy set-up with the electrical team I could really appreciate what was valuable to have in the desert – BABY WIPES for one…also, the little odd trinkets that gave us all giggles…big thing at Burning Man was always BACON / PIGS but I don’t think that would be appropriate for a Muslim country.
Letters / Cards – I want lots of them to send! I am going to bring a bunch of blank cards to a Veterans day event and ask people to fill them out and I think I am going to carry a set with me at all times for waiting in line / or while hanging at the bar or whatever…and tell people about what I am doing & invite them to write a note.
I think this is as good for me as it is for them…sometimes things feel so ‘trivial’…this is valuable.
Tags: care packages soldiers overseas afghanistan home front holidays letters
