When I go through the contact list I can't help but get irritated when I see somebody who has 14 months left in their tour and have 25 people and 45 supporters while others have 1 month left in their deployment and have MANY soldiers who don't have a supporter. It would help the soldiers a ton if we didn't request a unit that has been sponsored beyond the number of soldiers it has and instead supported some of the bigger units who need more supporters.

 This would be a valid point but for one thing...the number of times the address has been requested doesn't necessarily have anything to do with how much actual support a particular group is receiving. Some people request an address because the group has listed a need for an item that person has on hand, they send that one package, and that is it for them. (And there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that...) Some people (not many, I hope...) will request an address then never actually follow through with support at all. (Us junkies have a difficult time understanding that..., needless to say...) I do tend to select the troops who have the fewest address requests, simply because I think they are likely to need more support than the ones who have had tons of requests, and I follow through to the end of their deployment with whatever my budget will allow - and always letters, regardless. But if I see someone with lots of requests, and when I read their post it is obvious that they're not getting the amount of support that the number of requests would suggest, I'll adopt them as well. They're our heroes - gotta love 'em!

there is a whole "junkie movement" that is concerned about this very issue... Check out that "Overlooked Contacts" thread if you haven't already, it's a great place to find those contacts whose #requests might speak to not enough support. They are amazing with that effort! At the same time, we should all remember that selecting a contact is a personal choice based on countless personal reasons... No one should feel badly about requesting any contact's address.

One thing that I have noticed about some of the contacts who receive large numbers of requests is that they often are asking for either hospitals, orphanages, or other hearts and minds reasons, so the number they show as being contact for doesn't match who they are supplying.  Some are asking for items to hand out on the streets to the children, or clothing for Iraqi counterparts, etc.  That makes the numbers seem to be askew when it really isn't ... and then there are the ones who are asking for lots of letters also.

Gran

 Something that might also be making the numbers look off is AS contacts info being requested and then the requestor stops sending support for whatever reason & also the more complicated issue of those requesting the AS contact info and using it for purposes it was not intended for like marketing, etc.  That is why there is a message that says please do not request contact info and not support a group because there are people out there who do not use the site for its intended purpose.  AS staff from what I understand is trying to stop this.

Best,

 

I didn't read this thread all the way, but numbers could also be inflated by people that do one time requests. I have done it once, but I told the contact that it was a one time thing, I just had something on hand he needed, and requested his address to send it to him. Is that wrong? 

Heidi

Heidi:

I didn't read this thread all the way, but numbers could also be inflated by people that do one time requests. I have done it once, but I told the contact that it was a one time thing, I just had something on hand he needed, and requested his address to send it to him. Is that wrong? 

Heidi

Heidi,

I have done this a couple of times myself.  I too tell the contact this is a one time thing for special circumstances.  This usually happens when I get big donations of more than my regular AS contacts can use. 

I am unsure of the right/wrong answer.

Best,

Who knows whether someone considers a particular way of support right or wrong?  To me, we all are working together to let them know that we care that they exist, and are putting themselves in harm's way and sacrificing their well-being every day.  We have used a number of various ways of supporting hundreds of them over the years, and don't apologize for doing anything the way we did it because we did the best we could do for them, and that's all that can be asked of anyone.  As long as we keep on doing what we do with a loving and caring attitude, and not trying to profit somehow, that's what I personally feel counts.

Gran

 AMEN!!! Very well-stated, Gran. I agree with you whole-heartedly. We do what we can, and that's all anyone asks. Too many people think just putting a "Support Our Troops" magnet on their car is enough. But reaching out to those deployed to let them know they are loved and appreciated, even if it's "only" a postcard, a letter, an e-mail, or a one-time care package full of items they listed as needs - that's what really matters. They can't see that magnet on someone's car, but they can certainly see that envelope or box with their name on it at mail call. A lot of our adoptees tell us how much better their day goes when they get anything in the mail. So, never second-guess yourself or feel like you're not doing "enough," because every bit of support means a lot to our heroes. Keep doing what you do; it IS enough...the only way to get it "wrong," would be to request a name then do NOTHING for that contact.

To Gran and PatrioticLady:     You are both right-on, and I wholeheartedly agree.  It doesn't matter if we send a stick of gum or 5 boxes of expensive goodies... what's inportant is that we do what we can to give our troops overseas the "warm fuzzy from back home".  Our letters and/or packages are worth more than gold to some folks over there.    (Ask yourself, if you were hiking 3 days in the mountains of Afghanistan with old crappy socks, would you want a lump of gold or a new pair of socks from an anysoldier supporter?)  Regarding the "Number of Times Requested" numbers we see on the listings... they can be misleading as some have already stated.  I adopted a group of 4 marines about a year ago who had 25 requests on their listing but I was the only one who sent packages through their whole deployment.  I only know this becasue they told me so.  The numbers don't always reflect reality.  On some occasions a group from say, an elementary school, might request a soldier's address 10 times or more and the kids all send one letter.   But it's possible that's all that the soldier ever sees.   Wouldn't it be a shame if nobody else contacted that person and sent them something they really needed just becasue he already had ten requests?  What we do for our men and women is essential and ALWAYS appreciated.   I understand the desire to help every single one of them (hence the term junkie), but don't let the numbers prevent you from supporting someone when that little voice inside says.... "yeah, this one needs my help.  I want to make his day!"

Ash, please don't be upset.  This is not a corporation, it is people and as hard as it is to chose, it is harder not to chose.  What you said makes sense.  A small group with 1 month left with lots of requests.  I will bet you they updated often, and they have been "pulled" throughout their entire tour.  A group with a lot of people, with over a year left...odds are they just started posting and haven't been pulled very many times.  The over looked contacts list is a fantastic way to pick up these guys.

I tend to support larger groups lighter...like I have a batallion I sent 500 post cards and only 40 packages to...but I only got 2 emails back, so not even a 1% answer rate.  Oh well.  I know I am not supposed to wish for more, but I am human and my head does not rule my heart when it comes to disappointment.  I like supporting smaller groups, heavier.

There is nothing that says in that 500 troop battallion each squad, bunkmate, shift captain, or crew chief, can't also sign up as contacts, so you may see both a 500 man battallion and then an individual and support for both.

Hugs to all supporters.  I think you are all wonderful