It's almost the end of the month.  Those of us who've been "holding off" making our full 10 requests can now decide who else we want to add to our list this month.  I went through the "# Times Requested" list to find soldiers who've not gotten many requests.  The need is great, and it seems to me (a supporter for 4 years) that support is declining.  I hate that!

 Valerie Lloyd

Hello ValerieLloyd and everyone!

 With many budgets being tightened. I have all the contacts I can carry, but I have found that in sharing my stories with those I meet in public I get requests for the website address.

 I keep handout flyers and cards available and hand them out wherever I go. When I find a group I can't afford to adopt, I write the contact name on my handouts as a suggestion. I have people who know me that stop by and give me supplies. When ever I hear from a contact I share with these backup supporters by sending copies to them.

 Remember that if you can't afford supplies, that you can be a penpal or unit information researcher. Scour the internet for information that will help your troops. Military.com has information that you can share with your soldiers who have no internet. When I send something important I always mark the top "Please Post"

Thanks for supporting our troops, door

Hi Valerie,

I also feel that the economy is having a big affect on supporters thus carrying over to the warriors.  I never request 10 addresses a month as I feel I can only adequantly support 4 - 5 contacts at a time.  I support the contact throughout a deployment.  I only stop sooner if the contact does not up date his/her AS page or states that he/she no longer needs support.

I'd also like to remind everyone to support our AS family by making a donation to the website.  I wish I had more money to contribute to Marty and gang so that they can keep this web site up and going.  I only hope that the small contribution that I've made did help in some way, and I am hopeful to make another contribution soon. Without them, we would be unable to request even one address.

Thank you, Marty and gang.  Your dedication to the troops does not go unnoticed.