Dori,

 Hello, My name is Renae Slater and I have just found this forum. I am so glad to hear that you have heard from Eric Ortegren. I realize that this post was on the 8th of August, but on the 6th of August, I sent the guys 2 cartons of Cigarettes.

I am a Store Manager with the Kroger Company. We are here in Georgia and our store is collecting items that are needed for troops that we have chosen from AnySoldier. Our customers and associates drop off items that we have on a list and then my very gracious company, has donated $2,000 so far for Postage.

On, Aug 6th we sent T Shirts, Books, Socks, some Hygiene Items, food, candies and the Cigarettes. I have been looking for something to let me know that they have received these packages.

Today, Aug. 15th the entire lot that we, our Kroger Store, sent to the troops was 42 care packages. About 10 of these went to Eric and his team. Mosquito Nets, (17) bought all they had, Eric a watch, socks, t shirts, hygiene items, Kool Aid drink mix, deet, about 10 cans, I am trying to remember all that was sent to them. We also sent 2 boxes of Magazines and Books. I also bought the other Stephen King books that he had not been able to read and sent those to him as well. I also had a box of leather palmed gloves sent over about 40 pair, directly from the company.

I just wanted to let everyone know what we have sent right now and we will continue to collect for this group. They are our #1 group to send to when we get items that we feel they need or want.

I would love to join in on your conversations and we could possibly coordinate what we are sending. I can post items that are needed for our donation bins.

It is nice to meet you and I hope to be able to talk to each of you.

Renae

Hi renae!

wow!  how awesome that you and your company are doing so much for anysoldier!  i love kroger, i shop there all the time..they also support second harvest which is another wonderful charity.  all of the things you sent will be so appreciated......it is great that you can send in volume so that there is enough for the whole group...i think they have 35 guys with them in the barn???  it is great that they are getting such wonderful support from everyone....they deserve it!!  take care, laura

Renae,

 You guys are absolutely incredible!  At the rate everyone is sending stuff to Eric's group, they are going to have the coolest pad around and everyone will want to hang out there.  If we could just find a way to send lumber, I'm sure we could hook them up with Ritz like accomodations very soon. :0)

 Last I heard from Eric he was going to be about a month without a computer.  That was about a week ago.  I have emailed Justin Crivello to check in and no response as of yet.  I'll keep everyone posted if I hear anything.  LAURA - CAN YOU PLEASE DO THE SAME?

 One of the guys at work just bought 10 cat eye headlight lamps off eEbay for the guys.  As soon as they come in I will get those shipped out as well. 

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who is supporting this group.  I cannot even imagine how much they all must appreciate it.  AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE GENEROUS!

Dori

Welcome, Renae,

Awesome job!  Thank you!  I, too, shop at Kroger, with my AnySoldier card in tow..They're now not surprised by the mass quantities of sale items in my cart.  LOL  I'm so happy to learn of the donation for postage, too, as my local Kroger is working on a similar type effort.  It's been in the works for some time...I suppose getting the required approvals?  Great to have you on the forum, and yes, we've begun to coordinate efforts...

..so WELCOME to the AS forum..we're thrilled to have you and look forward to talking with you. 

Thank you, thank you!  Kroger is a class outfit!

Brenda

Renae,

Check your PM!

Renae,

I sent you a PM.

Brenda

Hi Dori,

I've sent a couple of packages to Justin & his group too. I sent paperback books, some AXE, candy, but mostly letters, but on 8/10 I sent a 13" TV and a DVD player...now I'm afraid they won't surive the "drop".  Silly me, I had no idea they air drop the stuff....guess I should've known.  Ah well.  I sent a box of protein snacks from the AS site & 3 AS pillows.  Planning to send a box of mayo packets w/tuna packets, summer sausage & beef sticks (Old Wisconsin Sausage will probably be donating that).  Justin said it takes 10-12 days to get a package, unless customs holds them up longer.

I read on one site that there water supply is a 40 min. patrol away...that's a long way to go.  Angela, do you know if they have plenty of water for making stuff?  Would it be worth it to send bottled water?

I just found this site & love that I can "talk" with other people who are supporting the same group.  To the families of these soldiers, whatever we can send still isn't thanks enough for the sacrifices they and all of you are making.

 Sharon (Irish)

Irish:

on 8/10 I sent a 13" TV and a DVD player...now I'm afraid they won't surive the "drop".  Silly me, I had no idea they air drop the stuff....guess I should've known.

What a shame.  No way you could have known.

Those of you who are in touch with contacts there might want to ask them to include this information in their updates, so that other supporters won't make a similiar mistake.

Irish:

 I sent paperback books, some AXE, candy, but mostly letters, but on 8/10 I sent a 13" TV and a DVD player...now I'm afraid they won't surive the "drop".  Silly me, I had no idea they air drop the stuff....guess I should've known. 

The TV and DVD player may get there just fine! Your boxes will be placed on a pallet with other cargo and then dropped by parachute to the site (as opposed to just tossing your boxes off the plane as it flies by....lol).

Keep you fingers crossed!

Hi Azs,

Thanks for letting me know.  With the grace of God, they'll get there in working order.  It makes much more sense that they'd palletize the items.  I guess when I learned that they air drop the stuff, I thought they'd put stuff together, just didn't think of pallets.  I should have since we (where I work) palletize everything we ship out.  DUH!  Finding this site is really going to be helpful for me to know what to send & how, etc.  Plus it's just nice to talk to others that send stuff to the troops there.  Thanks again.

Take care, Sharon

Hi Dori,

Justin emailed me 8/11.  They went on patrol and he said they'd be back in 5-7 days.  So I'm not expecting any news until Sunday, 8/19.  I figure at least one day to get some rest, eat, and email his family.  His daughter is an absolute cutie!  Just thought I'd let you know, last I heard, he's safe.

Take care Hon.

Sharon 

AWESOME!

 I keep taking the posts from the forum and emailing those to Justin and Eric so they can see what is coming.  I've also asked for new lists based on what they actually have on hand and what is in the pipeline.

 I know Justin was looking for some Rubbermaid Storage units to keep his gear in and plastic microwavable bowls so he could cook soups and stuff.  Suggestions? Maybe an underbed sized storage unit would work?  I am truly at a loss on this one.

Has anyone sent a microwave to Eric yet?  With the new generator in play I'm sure this is one thing they could use.

 ANGELA - Any idea when it will start to get cold over there?  I make no-sew blankets and they are quite warm.  You take two fleece blankets, lay them one on top of the other and cut slits on the sides and then tie the top to the bottom.  Makes then nice and thick.  If anyone wants instructions, just let me know.  Simple to make and only takes about an hour per blanket.  Thought I could space bag a few and send over.  Does anyone know what sport teams they like?  We could do the no sew blankets in their teams' colors.

RENAE - I know canned chili is a big hit over there.  Not sure if you are including in your packages or not.

My friends and I adopted a soldier from our area.  I went yesterday to his hometown and took pictures of his old high school, football field, local attractions and such and thought I would put together a photo albumn to send to him as a reminder of home.  Anyone know where Justin or Eric's guys call home?  If we can find out, maybe we can find people in the area to take some pics for us?  I don't know....too much caffeine this morning I guess.  LOL

Thoughts?

 Thanks again everyone!
Dori

A NEW UPDATE FROM JUSTIN CRIVELLO IS ON ANYSOLDIER.  HERE ALSO IS AN EMAIL I LITERALLY JUST GOT...

 Hi this is Justin,

was reading how you guys said the mail is airdropt. From what I know is that its flown in and then driven by locals to us. They do drop alot of supplys by air here on the KOP(Korengal Outpost) and heads up when they do!. As for the water supply here, it is all flown in by helicopter and we have plenty of bottled water. But what we dont have is Redbull Energy drinks, wouldn't mind having a four pack of that some of these late nights. Any way we are very lucky to be getting a TV and DVD player, now they just need to get our power turned on in our concrete building we just moved into. Also I placed a new pic on Anysoldier and a update. Thanks again for supporting your troops and have a great day.

Sincerely,

Justin Crivello