wickedbrowndog:

Unfortunately, you can't serve dinner to the in-laws from a flat rate box!

Why not?  You could put a little "donation envelope" in each box with a place card on or at each one that says something like 'this is the 'plate' our Soldiers eat their meals from - care to contribute to an upgrade?   It takes a bout xx dollars to fill one of these up - Thank you:) 

The craft stores all have the cutest little place card holders in the form of tree ornaments with little thingeys on top to hold the cards.  You could use those and let everyone take them home as a reminder of how much we have - put the envelope (pre- addressed to you) and the place card in there with a mili-themed sticker on it.  Hmmm - I just figured out how I'm serving Christmas dinner:):):):)!!!

Thanks you Kate for the inspiration:)  This site is so great for ideas.  I just sent a chocolate package to a contact based on Amy's idea from this thread - Thank you Amy!!

Happy Turkey Day,

Ann

ps If you're a card maker, maybe just put cards in it for people to sign and write a message on.:)

only days after cleaning up the "soldier packing room" aka..guest room....I found myself packing up 7 more boxes....Thanks to the genoristy of my co-wokers who overfilled the "two boxes" that were put out for donations. And in the process of collecting, another junkie was created!!.....just warms the heart!!.....

Help! I am SO addicted!! I started by just reading the soldiers requests. I am so blessed. Then I started praying and picking which soldiers I would support.

 In one week, I have sent 4 boxes (to 4 different addresses) and 4 letters to others.

 I am so excited to be able to start in a big way. I am afraid I have asked for too many addresses and I am cut off.

 But I NEED those addresses to keep my addiction going......

 Welcome to the addiction Deb! First....breathe in. Then...breathe out. Do that a few times and you'll be great!

 You're only cut off for a day; the rule is 2 addresses per day, 20 per month. So pace yourself, figure out who you want to support, and you can go ahead and ge the items for them but just hold on til tomorrow to ask for addresses.

Hope that helps! :)

you realize that to a servicemember in a war zone, maybe some stories should be told in a slightly different order.

(Last Sunday I was at the opera in downtown Los Angeles, attending an educational lecture before the performance.  The presenter was enthusiastically lecturing away, when suddenly there was a dull boom outside and the glass windows behind her rattled.  After a moment's pause, another attendee explained that the space shuttle was landing at Edwards AFB north of L.A. County.  The boom was the sonic boom of Endeavor returning to earth.)

if you are excitedly looking forward to the day after Christmas sales when lotions, candies, Hickory Farm stuff all go half price.  This day will be more exciting than Christmas itself.

Then my next new holiday will be Martin Luther King Day (in January) because the stuff that didn't sell usually goes to 90% off!!!!

Even more good stuff to send to our guys and gals!

When asked for your christmas list you make it out with things you can send to the soldiers.   And yes I also had to clear my dining room table to be able to serve christmas dinner.   I converted my sister when she found out why I wanted the stuff on my list and now she is bringing stuff over for the boxes!   By the way I found out you can order special military (APO/FPO) flat rate boxes that are $2.00 cheaper to send,  from the UPS website.  I found a few of them at the post office just recently also.  I'm still waiting on them to arrive!  The mail is sooooo slow in my little town. 

there is a gift under the Christmas Tree with your name on it with the sentence "for your soldiers".

PS It was a bunch of DVDs.

....if you're told you have a business trip next week and you immediately start making postcards for people on the plane to sign! (Captive audience!!)

Yikes - You must be an AnySoldier Junkie when....   in the grocery shaking hands with that cammied warrior on mid-tour leave, you can't quite let him go... and ask if you can support him & his grp because "your" guys have just redeployed home.

You laugh until you cry because you get a thank you card from a male soldier thanking you for the box of feel better supplies and especially the Pamprin because he was "feeling bloated and moody" but now he is cured.

*snort* Thanks for the giggle. Gotta love our guys!!!

You must be an AnySoldier Junkie if you wonder if Marty would set up a wedding registry in the AS shop....hmm...

I so laughed... then laughed again realizing that I've actually sent receiving blankets, children's books, toys (101 Airborne action figures), romantic mementos, letters directly to a spouse etc. all with postage-paid packaging (inside my box) so the warrior had something and the means to send it home for an event (he) said he was missing.  OMG! ... a registry is not so far fetched (laughter).