No luck with soccer balls so I'm sending frisbees. I've also got pencils and pencil sharpeners, index cards (for teacher), and thumb tacks. Hard candy on sale at the grocery so that's going in the box too. Love the larger box!

 Thanks, Mom

I found some soccer balls at the local Wal-mart. They had a wide range of prices. Soccer balls come in size 3,4,5 depending on the age. #5 is the adult size. I am sending 4 air pumps with the next care package.

Dan

Sometimes Ross has name brand soccer balls for about $10. If you're 55 or over and go on Tuesday, you get an additional 10% off. Yeah! I got carded! When I send soccer balls with Operation Christmas Child, I include a needle, but not a pump. I haven't found a cheap source of pumps lately. And I always keep an eye out at Target for their clearance on soccer balls. I've gotten a lot over the years at 75% off. But my Target is in a small city and doesn't get sold out as quickly. Mellie

Brand New Plain White Score Soccer Balls at Great Price - eBay (item 150227657634 end time Mar-29-08 15:58:16 PDT)

wow- they ship deflated and you can buy in bulk

I just might get some then!!

But if I recall, there have been many posts about sending a pump too and needle correct? So I will pick up one of those too if I get some (great offer though)

That ebay deal could be nice, don't know why it isn't a 'buy it now' listing however. If my tax refund comes in I'll get some, I hope seller will mail direct to APO.

Thanks, Mom

 An update on what I put in my box that I sent last week:  Spiral Notebooks,  packages of Notebook paper, 3-prong folders, 6 boxes of paperclips,  1 roll of scotch tape, 3 dozen pens, a few pencils (didn't count them - just grabbed a handful), mini note pads (2x3 inch), 1 pkg construction paper, and a bunch of art supplies (paint, brushes, oil pastel kit) . I also thew in some spare envelopes with a note that if the soldiers needed  to write home. to go ahead and take them!

His men will get some cards and letters from me as well in the future. I am short on cash for a few weeks, but I will try to get a snack or coffee box together at the end of April or first of May for his guys!

Does anyone know what the school year is in Iraq - Do they go in the summer? I have tons more school supplies, but I do not want to send them if school is out soon. I will save them till fall if the school year is similar to ours. (Our home school is kind of year round - but the public schools here run late August to end of May.)

SSG Matt C. Vinson posted an update on 3/23/08 (Easter Sunday -- probably why I missed it!).  Anyway -- sounds like they're making good progress building their quarters -- but with some unintended consequences.  Sounds like building interior rooms has cut off some air circulation and light -- he's asking for fans and desk or headlamps for his Soldiers.  Has anyone ever sent any fans that could share some tips?  I remember reading on the forum a while back about headlamps from Walmart that weren't too bad -- any thoughts on those?

There's no mention of his receiving any of the school supplies and toys sent -- bet he hasn't gotten them yet given their mail pickup timing!  Boy, I can't wait till he does

--Marilyn

His recent update suggests we are a success in getting tools and other supplies over there. Love to hear positive updates from the troops!

Dan

So, are there people here bidding on the ebay soccer balls? The seller says he uses UPS and not the post office so can't ship direct. I'm across the US from the seller so UPS costs won't do for me even to repack and send on. Bummer.

Thanks, Mom

 I was wondering if the fans and the desk lamps would need to be battery operated.

I thought Sgt. Vinny said their power was mainly 220 volts.

Maybe we need to re-check before sending  just to be on the safe side.  

 

 Joy

 

 

Joy -- in an early e-mail, Matt said he had access to one converter, most everything was run off 220, but he did have one line that was 110.  In his current post he says the Soldiers have "power strips they run to their room for their laptops and what not" -- so I think it's cool to send the plug-in type fans & lamps.  I was also thinking some flashlights might come in handy for them, too -- what do you think?

--Marilyn

 Marilyn,

 

Sent you a PM 

 

Joy 

Got it -- sent you a reply!

--Marilyn

I am thinking small (6 inch) battery powered fluorescent lights that come with batteries. I will have to wait to hear from him to clarify whether it's 220 or 110 before sending wired fans and lights. There are small fans that plug into laptops available at the Dollar Store.

Dan