[stenteach]

SHOEBOX is a volunteer group in The Villages that is near sending its 1.000,000 care package to our soldiers.

In great need of material for holiday gift bags and material for other times of the year as well.

Please drop off any donations at Betty's at 3123 Bafi -- off of Fenwick Loop which is off of Pinellas in Sanibel--gray cottage on the corner. If you prefer, any donations can be dropped off at Lake Miona on Monday around 12-1:30...take material to the Shoebox Sewing Room for Betty.

Hobby Lobby and Joanne's sell fabric and have coupons as well every week for 40%-60% off that may be used for material as well.

Thank You,
Rosemary

[kathyzapp]

What items do you need?

[cquick]

Originally Posted by kathyzapp

What items do you need?

She asked for Christmas fabric to make stockings.

They meet regularly on Mondays, and they collect money to pay for shipping. I am not sure exactly what goes in the "shoeboxes".

I know there is a list for such items as deodorant, candy, wipes, etc.

[buggyone]

Don't most all troops have access to a Post Exchange where all the items are bought very inexpensively?

[Birdie Dreamer]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Don't most all troops have access to a Post Exchange where all the items are bought very inexpensively?

This response has taken this Forum to a new low.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by Birdie Dreamer

This response has taken this Forum to a new low.

No, it is an honest question.

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by buggyone

No, it is an honest question.

I agree. I think the poster was asking an honest question and Sprinkler Buddy answered it. Let's all look for fabric and gift bags to to donate. I have been involved in this type of effort before, and its a wonderful way to help out our troops.

[marianne237]

When I sent my nephew goody boxes on several of his tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, I included rubber balls, yoyos, motorcycle and car magazines besides the suntan lotion and misc. items. He recently told me that the one thing he remembered the most were the "gummy" candy alligators I sent him from the Russell Stover store in Wildwood. He got the greatest laugh out of them. The "toys" were appreciated since they gave them to some of the children and made friends with them.

Operation Shoebox needs a lot of items and especially support from Village friends. They do a special job keeping our soldiers morale up under strange circumstances that we can never imagine.

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by marianne237

When I sent my nephew goody boxes on several of his tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, I included rubber balls, yoyos, motorcycle and car magazines besides the suntan lotion and misc. items. He recently told me that the one thing he remembered the most were the "gummy" candy alligators I sent him from the Russell Stover store in Wildwood. He got the greatest laugh out of them. The "toys" were appreciated since they gave them to some of the children and made friends with them.

Operation Shoebox needs a lot of items and especially support from Village friends. They do a special job keeping our soldiers morale up under strange circumstances that we can never imagine.

Great tips. Thanks!

[peggyb]

If you really want to know what they need and what they do, please stop by Lake Miona on Monday afternoons and see what it is all about. I have never seen such a well organized, caring group of people spending a few hours every week just to bring a little bit of sunshine to our selfless men and women in the military. Thanks Operation Shoebox!

[stenteach]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Don't most all troops have access to a Post Exchange where all the items are bought very inexpensively?

On a personal note I can tell you that when I am aware of a military member who paid for all their own meals -- even in Iraq.

They paid for their dress blues which cost about 700...they made less than 10,000 a year. They bought their own GPS when they went to war for safety.

They had no warm clothes when temps dropped in Iraq...

They train on terrain that involves replacing their combat boots every several days...they pay for this...

The GI Bill only pays so much...

Military families have a loss in income when the member is deployed...hopefully other Villagers can elaborate more on this issue.

There are many soldiers that receive no mail...except form Operation Shoebox.

Hope this helps answer your question...thanks for your email, R.

[stenteach]

Originally Posted by peggyb

If you really want to know what they need and what they do, please stop by Lake Miona on Monday afternoons and see what it is all about. I have never seen such a well organized, caring group of people spending a few hours every week just to bring a little bit of sunshine to our selfless men and women in the military. Thanks Operation Shoebox!

Yes, they need many items...and Shoebox pays for all mailing.

However, right now there is a great need for material...and teabags that are wrapped...thanks for your time.

R.

[stenteach]

Originally Posted by kathyzapp

What items do you need?

Right now they need material and boxes of tea with individually wrapped tea bags.

If you prefer you can always drop the items off at Lake Miona on Mondays around 12:30 to 1...thanks for your email and have a good eve,
R.

[stenteach]

Originally Posted by peggyb

If you really want to know what they need and what they do, please stop by Lake Miona on Monday afternoons and see what it is all about. I have never seen such a well organized, caring group of people spending a few hours every week just to bring a little bit of sunshine to our selfless men and women in the military. Thanks Operation Shoebox!

Donations can be dropped off there as well on Mondays around 12:30 to 1:30...monetary donations are always accepted to defray the cost of mailing...and yes, we have to pay for mailing.

When a family member wrote home.from war...he did so on the cardboard from a Meals Ready to Eat package they use...he did not have paper or a card...can't describe how that felt when we received it...sealed with electrical tape.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by stenteach

On a personal note I can tell you that when I am aware of a military member who paid for all their own meals -- even in Iraq.

They paid for their dress blues which cost about 700...they made less than 10,000 a year. They bought their own GPS when they went to war for safety.

They had no warm clothes when temps dropped in Iraq...

They train on terrain that involves replacing their combat boots every several days...they pay for this...

The GI Bill only pays so much...

Military families have a loss in income when the member is deployed...hopefully other Villagers can elaborate more on this issue.

There are many soldiers that receive no mail...except form Operation Shoebox.

Hope this helps answer your question...thanks for your email, R.

Look at the 2013 pay charts. An E-3 earns $21,450 per year. An E-3 does not need to buy dress blues. There are lots of civilian families in Florida earning less than $21,450 per year.