i have been looking at the number of men or women needing help to the number of people that have requested the address.

va girl

Hi there,

I have found that one of the hardest things in the Any Soldier support process is choosing HOW to pick your contacts! LOL.

For every AS Supporter (Junkie!), there are probably THAT many different ways to pick the contact.

Here are some of the many ways that have been used:

1.  Sort by "State" and pick folks from your immediate area.  Some do this because they also hope to meet that person  upon their return.  Others because they want to be supportive of their locals and also get involved in Family Resource Groups (FRG)!

2.  Pick by name... same first name, same last name, just a name you really like!

3.  Pick by what they request
4.  Pick by the fact that their address has been listed for a month and still has less than 10 requests for the address

5.  Pick by their location... Iraq vs Afghanistan... or in the Kenagral Valley, etc, etc.

6.  Sort by job title:  Chaplain, Pilot, Medic, Tank Repair, or whatever other job titles you know!

7.  Sort by "children contact"

You name it, you can sort and find all types of listings, requests, etc.

To date, I have picked my contacts as follows.

1.  I try to insure that I have a contact from each service branch.

2.  Thank at least some of my contacts are from here in Maryland.

3.  I picked on guy who had my brother's name

4.  I pieked two guys who had names of my best friend's sons... turned out one of them was her son and she hadn't told me he was deployed! WOW!

5.  I do look at the number of times address has been requested... figuring the small number of requests may indicate NEED.
6.  I also look at the number of folks with whom the contact will share the packages.  I ALMOST always insure that the contact has females in the sharing since I have some ladies groups who have adopted "Women Who Serve" as part of our motto!

REMEMBER, there is no RIGHT or WRONG way to choose a contact.  Just remember to support that person once you've requested the addy... send a letter, a card, a note, a package... they love to know they are remembered!

 ENJOY!

For sure this process can become addictive... thus our nickname AS Junkies!

Take care.

Anna - Baltimore MD

I have read thru all the forums and can't seem to find the answers that I am looking for.  I picked this forum as my question is partially to do with picking a contact. I am new to this website and  do so want to get letters started. First I want to apologize if I am asking questions that are posted elsewhere. 

I first looked at a Cpl that was contact for 15 marines.  I wanted that group but my husband thought  I should pick a smaller gp as trying to write 15 letters at one time might be overwhelming?  Am I correct that I should write all 15 at one time?  If I don't ,does the contact keep track of who he gave the last letters to and pass on the newest ones to those that didn't get them last time?   I am assuming that I would write them and put them all in one envelope which I know is addressed to the contact.  Is the contact person counted in that 15 or would it be 16?  Would you hand write  all 15 ltrs  letters or type them on the computer and print them off.   Seems impersonal to do that. I don't think I could put different stuff in 15 letters.  Maybe a point for picking a smaller group.

Next question has to do with packages that are sent.  When I send a package will the contact show the contents to all the 15/16 and let them take what they want or  do I send 15/16 pkgs  even though they may all have the same thing in them.

Don't know what it is that  I can't seem to grasp about this, it is probably so simple.  Can anyone give me a general idea as to how they handle their  letters and packges. 

Perhaps to start I better find a small group till I  understand.  Maybe I am just thinking to hard about this, but I don't want anyone to be left out.  Am I  making this harder than it really is? If there is  a forum that would be better for me  or might have the answers please feel free to tell me where to go.....

Thank you

We all had those same questions when we started so don't be overwhelmed.  There are many different ways to support our military depending on the group and the supporter. As far as the letters, there have been other threads discussing it but I don't know how to bring up the threads.  But the general theme is.. send one letter to the contact and let him read it to the other 14 (15 should be the total number of people including the contact) or just pick one person and concentrate on them.  Maybe it will be someone that your contact knows doesn't get much mail.  I send a letter to the contact but write it to the whole group. Sometimes I include a bunch of cards  from a cardswap so they can pass some out to every one. Sometimes one in the group will ask for your address and write you personally.  As far as care pkgs. ... once again no one way to do it.  Some of the contacts open the box and put it out for the people to get what they want, some give it to a person who needs mail.  They generally share with each other.  Any way you choose to support them, they will be so appreciative.  So I guess the best advice is just jump in which ever way you feel comfortable and you will develop your own style.  Don't shy away from the group because there are 15 if that group is tugging at your heart.  They will sort it out and you will become a junkie.  However, let me warn you...it is addictive!

Sqdancr,

I hate to tell you this, but every contact has their unique way of handling the mail and representing the group they sign up for.  It is mostly a stab in the dark, but as long as we are supportive, we can't go wrong.  Some contacts read the letter to the unit, some pass the letter around, some give it to the person who doesn't receive mail and seems to need connection with home the most, and some post it on a community board for all to read.  You could direct the contact through a letter to them separately as to how you would like to communicate, but it is still up to them how they handle it.  It is all good, so just jump right in and do it how it is comfortable for you.  You are sure to be a hit with a card or letter.  That is the number one morale booster - right up there with beef jerky and baby wipes.

Happy writing.

Gran

Hi Sqdancer!

Blue & Gold and Gran gave great advice!  Just jump in! LOL.

 As for writing or typing the letters... either or is fine.

Personally, I do type a letter that is general that I can print and send to each of my contacts.  Many contacts share the letter with someone who needs mail, but as said before, some pass them around, post them on a bulletin board, leave them on the break room table, etc, etc...  However, I do only send one letter to the contact regardless of how many are on his/her group.

HOWEVER, on the other hand, if someone responds to me from one of these letters, they then do get a more personalized letter in return.  I have acquired several contacts in this way.  For instance, Kim responded to a letter I sent to Scott who passed it along.  Kim now gets her own letter, her own care package, etc.

It is really hard to do this WRONG! LOL.

Some people do pick smaller groups of say four and then send each of the four something... and that's ok.

At certainly holidays like Christmas, I do  try to send each one of the group a stocking... for valentines day, they each got a card and a goody bag of candy...  and so on, but let's face it, if my contact has listed a huge group of 50, 100, or more, I can't send each one something... but that is ok too!

One thing is for sure, you need to decide how much time and how much money you can use for this project... and then try very hard to stick to it.  It is ADDICTIVE!  You will want to do more and more and more! 

Fortunately for me AND the troops, I'm in a position where lots of people are donating the items to me that goes into the boxes.  I also have access to inexpensive auctions for pallets of items such as coffee, cookies, etc.  So it really stretches my budget.  On top of that, I have some great supporters who have helped with postage from time to time. 

As an individual doing this, you may want to mention it to your fellow square dancers and see if there's anyone who wants to contribute -- a letter, a card, or postage...  You may be surprised how quickly people are willing to do a little or a lot.
Some of my donators started out with a couple boxes of kool-aid and moved on to a case of it!  Some started with a dollar or two here and there and now give me $20/month and they apologize that it isn't more!!!

So, SQDANCE!  GO FOR IT!  You will find it is one of the best projects you've ever gotten into!  Your heart will be warmed as much or more than the heart of the one receiving your items.

Take care and ENJOY!

Anna - Baltimore, MD

Thanks all for  your advise. It has made my decision much easier.  I am going to go with what my heart first picked out.  I keep going back to that group so I am going to stick with that group.  I wrote my first letter this morning and will have it in the mail on Tuesday.

Sqdancr

Anna said..."One thing is for sure, you need to decide how much time and how much money you can use for this project... and then try very hard to stick to it.  It is ADDICTIVE!  You will want to do more and more and more!"

 When I started in Nov. I had no idea how much it would take over my life. I feel like a junkie. I CANNOT got to a store (discount, department, pharmacy or grocery) without picking up some things I know my soldiers will want. (After all-its on sale) 

I cannot let a Saturday go by without mailing at least one package. The folks in the PO know me well

I wake up around 4 AM because I know I will have an email or two waiting from 2 different Marines that I talk to each day. I also turn on my computer as soon as I get home from work and before I go to bed-for the same reason.

I also mail several letters each week because I have gotten names from my contacts of some who get no mail. I cannot let that happen. I cannot let someone be lonely all the way around the world when I have the power to send a letter and hopefully make someone smile. 

My hubby thought this passion would only last until Christmas. But SURPRISE my addiction has a stronger hold on me than ever.  It has become a very expensive "hobby". It was expensive when I started scrapbooking too, however this is so much more rewarding.

I tell people every where I go about anysoldier. Others can see my passion. I have had three different people at 3 different times offer me money to send a box or two (or nine!) When I recieved the money to send nine boxes, I included the name of the family who gave me the money. I was hoping that at least one contact would send a brief note to him. I included a SASE with the donors address on it. Two contacts have written the family. The last time I saw them the comment was "next time you need postage money-see me." This person doesn't have time to shop and pack but wants to support our troops.

Anna and others are right-welcome to junkie world. Beware of interventions!

Sqdancr:

I am going to go with what my heart first picked out.  I keep going back to that group so I am going to stick with that group.  I wrote my first letter this morning and will have it in the mail on Tuesday.  Sqdancr

That's great. Sometimes a name or unit just jumps out at you. Even if you do not hear back, you'll probably get the feeling that whatever was sent was greatly appreciated.

I sent a package in March to a Marine who shares my first name and she hasn't been heard from for over 50 days.  I hope my box got to someone who could use it and I hope she logs in to site soon!

What is her name? Maybe someone else has heard from her then you won't need to worry.

Hi There... I fear the ones with the most need are the ones who are unable to contact us to sign up.(my son is with this group).  I look carefully at the contacts and there requests....some just want some fun stuff...others are asking for food and hygiene.  I tend to gravitate towards the practical side.  I have only just recently found this site myself and I am sending a lot of support to my son who is not on this site. I have however adopted 2 contacts.  I know when our guys are OTW they need to be able to carrry stuff like protien bars and jerky with them.  I am totally against tobacco use, but understand the need to stay alert to stay safe so I have even sent copenhagen, energy drink and powdered tea to put in the water bottles.  Anything I can do to help them stay safe.I have to admit that I have been really surprised with the remoteness of the places in A'stan.  I like so many others had my attention focused on the other front.  Thank you for helping.

DieselGirl53 Hello!

Remember that the 50 day notice does not mean that they have moved. It just means they haven't checked in. Do you happen to know what the cut off date was that they had included. I have had many drop off because they couldn't get to a computer but I kept sending because I got a letter. Don't worry just send her a followup letter with your email and return address and phone number. Let her know that her address has a notice on it and you want to send more and if she can't renew with anysoldier to let you know if she is still there and wants to stay in touch.

Many times they don't have much room and have to drop off because of too much support: we can always hope that is the case.

Thanks for supporting our troops, door

Her name is Cori L. Taylor and I think her address was removed around the end of March.  Her address had not been requested very much - maybe 6 or 7 times.