Matthew T. Lunger wrote "A box of American rocks and a letter will be just as welcome" and also "Like I said, we would be content with a box of rocks."

So........I got this idea.  What if we each found a rock (I'm not talking boulder) and painted the name of our city and state on it and mailed it to them along with a letter and maybe some travel brochures or info about our city.....they'd end up with a box of American rocks and maybe enough for a rock garden.  Paint would have to be something that wouldn't wash off in rain.

Just a thought :-)

Rosemary

Cute idea!  But….  I can't pick up another contact for a long time.  If it doesn’t violate any rules I would get that stuff together and mail to you to mail to them.  I wouldn't want to request his name and skew his support numbers.  Let me know.

I LOVE this idea!

I also agree with npg that taking another contact is not able to happen right now. However, if someone want to be a "rock collector" I would be happy to send that person a decorated rock (it can't cost THAT much.)

A thought on an alternative to actually sending the rocks would be to paint a collection of rocks and take pics of them and send those to a volunteer who would send the pics to the contact.  Another idea would be to get post cards of local scenery that showed streams with rocks or cliffs with boulders according to what you would find in your area.  We could spend a good deal of money sending rocks, whereas the pics and post cards would be minimum expenditure.  Any volunteers for a contact to send them?

Gran:

A thought on an alternative to actually sending the rocks would be to paint a collection of rocks and take pics of them and send those to a volunteer who would send the pics to the contact.  Another idea would be to get post cards of local scenery that showed streams with rocks or cliffs with boulders according to what you would find in your area.  We could spend a good deal of money sending rocks, whereas the pics and post cards would be minimum expenditure.  Any volunteers for a contact to send them?

 *waves her hand*  I'd be happy to do it!  Where I am in PA is in the same postal zone as the NY military post, so I get really good postal pricing... plus I can always do a drive into the city to post them from a NY post office (it's just a few hours from here, makes a nice day-drive if you like to drive and go with friends). 

 I'm ok with real rocks - it will cost you 5 bucks either way to send either pictures or actual rocks, and I have someone who has volunteered to help me with shipping costs and a large FRB can weigh up to 70 lbs, so whatever senders prefer! :) 

You can PM me through the forum or email me on hotmail -- IrishTigress at hotmail dot com  (sorry, don't want trolling emailbots to find me! LOL)

 Christy

aka AS Junkie Rock Collector (hee hee)

I would love to volunteer.

I will contact Gran, npg, and rosepeddles because they started the idea and I don't want to take it away from these creative people.

I am sure between the four of us this idea WILL happen.

Oops!  Nothing like enthusiasm to make you forget your manners.  I saw the comments about asking for a volunteer but didn't realize Rosemary hadn't said anything about whether she wanted to coordinate it.  I'd say blame it on my youth, but it's only my inner child who's that young.

 Rosemary - I'll be happy to step back... sorry if I stepped on any toes!

 Christy

When I was younger, they used to have rock candy.  Don't know if they still make that.  A few years back I saw some pebble looking candy that truly looked like little rocks...very cool.  Maybe that could fit in somehow if we can find some?  Or we could go with Rosemary's real rocks which I think would be an absolute riot.  Can you imagine their faces when they open a big FRB full of real American rocks?!  Too, too funny.

Kathy

Christy,

My thought was that it would only take a single first-class postage stamp to send an envelope with a note and pic or  postcard whereas it would take more postage than that for each of us to get rocks to the contact who is going to send it to the unit.  I can't afford to spend the money for postage for another unit that might take away from our commitment to our current units.  Others may not be in the same situation, and that is fine for them.  I was just suggesting another way for more involvement by those of us who don't have the $ for extra postage.  Either way, I'm sure they will get pleasure from what we send.

Now, can we have a cyber straw drawing to determine the lucky one who gets to do this fun thing?

Kathy,

I know that I have seen rock candy at some of our country buffet restaurants that have tourist traps, uh, gift shops here in Arkansas, but don't know if any of the major candy makers have them now.

Ah, Gran... I usually send a letter for each soldier in a group, so that's where my mind was.  You're totally right about only needing to send a single picture and letter.  D'oh! 

 I was planning to send along a box of those chocolate rocks -- the sugar-coated ones that are kind of like M&Ms (less melty) but look like pebbles of assorted earth-tones and blue-grays.  My friend uses them to decorate cake landscapes and so on. :)

 Cyberstraw's fine with me... that's what I love about AS and the reason I de-lurked to join the Forum...  enthusiasm, heart and soul, all the way! 

 Christy

Well, count me in on the rock thing, I think it would be a BLAST!!!  I also think it would be great to do both photos of rocks and real rocks, plus rock candy, etc.  but just my 2 cents. 

I think everyone's right here….. real rocks, painted rocks, candy rock, photos of rocks, and a letter.  Whoever wants to be the rock collector is fine with me.  Would we rather choose someone who is looking to pick up another contact?  Personally, In addition to the rock I'll send $ for postage and if the rock collector has some rock candies I would send $ for that.  I would also like dibs on sending a letter the Soldier "Gabriel" because I have a little Gabriel at home.  Would we all choose a Soldier to send a letter to (dups are fine but we don't want anyone forgotten)?

This topic made me really smile      (actually bigger than that!!!!)   The whole idea of sending rocks is FUN.   What made me smile is that my hubby goes to Rock and Mineral shows all the time (and has an ebay store).   So the thought of me having to go FIND a rock was funny.     Please count me in on this project.......I think it will be fun to see what we get from all over the US.    Is someone coordinating it???  (or did I miss that post).  

One thing we might want to check is transporting rocks.......as they contain soil and I know that there are PLANT restrictions.    Maybe someone can check out the rock/soil restrictions.......just a suggestion (certainly don't want to rain on the parade......just think we need to find out).

Love peace and blessings.....Anne Marie

Hi Folks,

Thanks in the interest for the rock box.  I can be the rock collector.  I do have some health issues going on but I also have someone who will help me accomplish sending the box out if for some reason I can't.  Anyone who wants to send their rock/letter/city info/whatever to me, I will collect until I have a large FRB full.   This is just my personal opinion but I think anyone who sends a rock should also include a letter.  If I get more than enough for one box, I can send out another.  I have donation money from the VFW that will cover the postage of shipping the FRBs.  Anyone who wants to send their rock to me can email me for my address.  Anyone who wants to send their rock direct to the guys feel free.  One can never have too many American rocks!!

Rosemary