Do you know that Mastercard commercial on TV where it's like 'ski equipment - $1200; ski lessons - $500; flying down the Matterhorn (okay, I am making this up!) - priceless!'   Well, here's my AS Christmas version:

Christmas trees, decorations and gifts for 34 army medics, 16 marines, 10 army warehouse workers, and 7 members of an army radar platoon - $2500 (actually, I don't know the amount because I am in denial!)

Packing materials and postage - $500

The thought of those wonderful men and women opening their gifts by the tree on Christmas morning - priceless!

Okay, what's your version?

You know how you want to do a particular thing, send a specific want, but maybe don't have the immediate knowledge, means or access?  I felt that way early on, reading needs for un-obtainium such as tactical items, large power tools, BIG stuff like that seen it so many times, but just had to accept my (only occasional) ramen & oreos position. One of "my" medics posted about how very cold it was running-running-running in the night, his thoughts only on his brothers. That image kind-a stuck with me coming in windswept cold by the Pacific late at night. I'd empty my pocket change (extra laundry quarters, coins from under the seat of the car) other snippits into my AnySoldier jar and read the website, kept writing (no response). Few months in he posted: "If there's a way, I really need boots"; Maybe-maybe - I spilled out my AnySoldier jar and wow, really wow - I had it: just covered a pair of tactical desert boots. I ordered, they shipped APO, and we went to the corner chapel to light a candle - "be swell if these got to him (or one of them)". They did, and I got to know - Oh YES! - Priceless.  

LOL...I was just thinking of that commercial, only my story is sort of in reverse...

A couple of weeks ago I paid a routine visit to the dumpster behind my neighbohood Dollartree to look for shipping boxes.  Much to my surprise, I found an entire display case of little angel pins sitting on the top of the heap.  Each pin had one of four different sentiments engraved on it.  One sentiment in particular caught my eye.

I looked the pins over carefully and couldn't see any defects.  I carefully collected the dozen or so pins that were engraved with the sentiment that appealed to me and took these pins home. 

Last night I tucked one of these pins into a box I was sending to a female soldier.  It was clearly a cheap pin, but I was sure she'd like it anyway.  And that's when the "commercial" went through my head:  Angel pin from the Dollartree dumpster - $0, "Protect this woman" - priceless.

Sometimes it absolutely is the thought that counts.

You are a national treasure.

Jas

Night before our Brownies will be filling Christmas boxes for "their" soldiers:

compose and type letter of explanation to parents that won't offend anyone of any political persuasion...this takes a while....

unpack and unfold FRB for 20...write out labels for 20

write out 20 customs forms...argh!!!

cut out lenghts of polar fleece to make scarves and draw lines with ruler on both sides so brownies can "fringe"( looks like they were chewed rather than cut, but oh well...it is now 1 am!!)

gather materials for the girls to make flags to include

hunt up boot socks, watch caps, blankets and gloves that were begged from friends and relations to go in above mentioned boxes.

Find paper, markers, pencils and crayons for 20 to write letters to be included in boxes.  To bed around 2 am!!!!

Next day....expressions on 20 upturned faces (one of them your own daughter) as you gently try to explain the conditions "their" soldiers are living in and why they need our boxes....See the most wonderful scarf fringing (the scarves being tried on and tested for warmth...they passed the test) you have ever seen and the most efficient box packing..everyone helping eachother to squeeze in one more pair of socks or gloves, one more package of soup or hot cocoa and to read the letters written by 20 seven and eight year old little girls to go in each box...each which includes "Be Careful!!", "We miss you!!", and "I love you!!".....Now that is Priceless.....

 

Laura,

I would love to be there when those boxes are opened up! There's nothing like heart-felt gifts from children... 

Wonderful project, Laura!   Hurray for you making it happen for the contacts AND for the Brownies!

It was worth it all, the guys LOVE getting things from kids.  Bet they will send some letters to them and those little girls will be thrilled all over again. 

Anita