Hi Friends

 Am just posting as I am a bit nervous. Ok,  More than a bit <S>

 Tonight is the collection night at Bingo (why does that make me sound so old? lol) . I have my Raffle Basket ready  (Themed, a Comfortable Afternoon.with lap desk, blanket, scarf, puzzle books, cookbook, mug, cup of soup, candy,etc etc. I had bought some tea but I think I mailed it in one of my boxes ...   giggling...)

 I have small thank you packs to hand out and AnySoldier Cards and Pens. I have star cookies that my friend in Texas made and donated to the cause.  And  I got fresh Apple Cider from the orchard. 

 The thank you packs  aren't much, but  have a Highlighter, a foil star, a few lifesavers and a small Lucky Duck.   I wrote a "ditty" to add in which reads

 "You're the highlight in a drab day

 A real Star through and through

 A lifesaver all the way

 A soldier will feel like a lucky duck  because of you"

 I am hoping that  people will  bring a nice assortment of goodies, but also hope that if they don't bring anything..that they will see the effort and enthusiasm and will bring something next week.

 This all seems so simple but its a first for me and a HUGE step to put myself out there.  Any  Wish Me Luck thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 Guess this makes me a true junkie, huh?

  Smiles

 Amy

Wow!  You are really going all out!  Good for you, Girlfriend.  Cute little ditty too!  You can go to the head of the AS Junkie Class!  Hooah!  I am sure people will be impressed with all of your attention to details and your enthusiasm.

The missing tea - made me smile.  Lucky you, if that is all you "accidentally" sent.   My second set of car keys has been missing for over three years.  My husband is sure that I sent them off to A'stan.  He may be right.  Too much time has passed and too many rooms taken apart for cleaning and painting for me to think they are still in the house somewhere. 

 Good luck with everything.  I am anxious to hear how things went.

Thanks for all you are doing for our troops.

Sandyy

PS  I am going to send you an e-mail too. 

Good luck tonight Amy. I'm sure it will go well. It's amazing how many people will help, if you just ask. I know for me the asking is the hard part. I really admire what you are doing. Keep up the good work!

God bless you.

Kathy

 Sandy

 What a riot about the car keys!!! 

 I'll keep that in mind.

My dog likes to toss his toys around. really toss.launches them off of teh ceiling, walls, etc.  I can picture some of them ending up in the boxes.

  lessons learned

Smiles 

 Awesome Job !!! Your event shows to be well planned out. I am sure it will be a success but I am sending lots of luck and well wishes to you anyway.

You ARE a true junkie........Let us know how it all turns out...I bet is is a whoppin' success!

Best of luck to night!  I just know it's going to be amazing!!!!  Can't wait to hear about it!!!

(... and I can't help chuckling thinking about a hero opening a box and finding new toothbrush, some easy mac, and a chewed dog toy.... LOL)

Amy,

You have really jumped in with both feet + a lot more!  Great job!

A few years ago when I got my Medicare card, I laid it beside the computer where I was working on letters for the troops, and Mr. Gran declares that it went to one of them because I never got to use that one - had to get a new one because it never showed up after an extensive search. 

Gran

Amy, you sound like a MAJOR JUNKIE to me!!! I hope all is going or went well at your collection night! No matter how much or how little you end up with, it's definitely a wonderful cause and a wonderful effort on your part. It sounds like you planned the presentation to attract a lot of interest. GOOD JOB.

Jean from Tampa

   Well I hope everyone enjoyed themselves tonight because you were all with me, right in my pocket<S>

   It was a spectacular collection but I did  collect a huge laundry basket full of packages and them some. About 20 people  brought things in.  Many brought several bags worth.

  Some people said "Oh I forgot" and looked longingly at the Raffle basket.  I was tempted to hold off for another week but I thought that wouldn't be fair to those that did remember or went back home and got their stuff.  And I knew some of them wouldn't remember  next week either <S>

 The best thing though, people were interested.  Many were asking questions, taking business cards, and showing interests. many asked about  giving other items and more items  in a few weeks. 

 I knwo I over did it a bit but  my effort got attentions at least.

  Perhaps the highlight of it all were two ladies who, when handed their papers  (letter of intent and request list) they tossed them out. well  they both showed up tonight with  several LARGE bags full of items and one lady even wrote a long letter and card! She asked about  getting involved and getting kids involved.

 That made my night.

 I have my work cut out for me now. lol.  I think there will be more stuff coming in next week.and in months to come, as several were asking about doing this again.......WOW.

 Sometimes I set my sights too high, and was disappointed that not everyone  contributed..........but..I learned if i could touch one person as deeply as the Any Soldier Site touched me when I first wandered into the pages..then it is worth it. And I think I did.

 Thank you ALL for your support.  Knowing you were behind me and cheering me on  helped me stand a bit taller tonight...

 Thank you!

 Cheers and Respect

 Amy

Amy,

I am so glad that it turned out so well.(Although, your pocket was little crowded.)

 I got all choked up when I read the part about touching someone "as deeply as the AS site touched" you. I know what you mean. This site has changed my life. I spend a LOT more of my time working for others. And it feels good! And you gave others the opportunity to have those feelings too.

You make me proud to be an AS junkie!!!

 GOOD JOB!

Kathy

 Thank you so much. 

 I  would not have been able to do it   without  the support  from here.

We're in this together, right?

  Smiles Amy

Hi Amy!

Sorry I'm a late comer to this but am guessing you must have started this on another thread because there seems to be stuff missing...lol  Anyway, from the bits and pieces I was able to put together you had a raffle basket at bingo and the entry "fee" was something for the troops and you gave each entrant a goodie bag and AS pen and postcard...but they couldn't enter unless they brought something, right?  Others said they forgot...  My thought would have been a big jar for donations to cover mailing costs and they could enter that way as well or in lieu of "stuff".  It's the postage which kills me anyway...I just hate spending the money for that when I could get good stuff for inside the boxes....LOL

All in all it sounds like a great idea and executed wonderfully!  Welcome aboard!  You are a Junkie's Junkie!

 HI Yes this is a continuation to a previous post. (sort of <S>)

 I approached  the head of our local bingo asking if , as part of one nights' bingo, I could hold a collection night for  items for the care packages.

 As an incentive I offered a  raffle prize and also gave out thank you gifts. (small bags)I also had cookies and cider.

 People brought in  bags of stuff.  Not a lot participated but many said they  would like to bring in next week.

 I did not want to get into collecting money. yes postage is what kills me as well.but I just didn't want any  problems with " I gave you a dollar what did you do with it", etc etc. This is Massachusetts and it can be tough with things like that.  If I took money  they could say it was for the raffle and then I'd need a special permit (and pay a permit fee) to hold a raffle. (also,there is often a surprise visit from the State Lottery, which governs Bingo in Massachusetts,)  I did tell people  if they wanted to help with postage I would gladly accept stamps.  The post office clerk said i could just add those to the package and  pay the difference in  cash.

works for me

 Anyway, I am not bold like this....usually.   I think AnySoldier is bringing out some interesting aspects of my personality<S>

 Today I went for a road trip with my dog.  I stopped and took pictures to send with letters to the troops. well then I started seeing  people I wanted to take a picture of, so I asked permission saying I was sending the pictures to the Troops.  Then, at one shop with a great supportive banner I asked a group of people to  WAVE for the picture!  Complete strangers.

 I got a few weird looks but  the other ones  had a great smile and great wave.

 I would never ever ever approach a stranger like that.  My goodness what is happening to me?

 Smiles Amy