Christmas Packages to Soldiers, 2012 Wrap Up

I'm a little late with this post, but it's mostly due to spending the last week or so wrapping up loose ends to what turned out to be a FANTASTIC wrapping and packing event for our soldier babies.

As there is no RSVP for these events, I'm always anxious about what the turnout will be; it's simply unknown...until we know! Slated to start at 1:00, we had 6 or 7 people in attendance at 5 'til. Same at 1:00, and at 1:05. I had a quick, sick feeling when suddenly:

That's kind of how it was.

There was sorting and wrapping:

Stuffing of stockings:

And packing of boxes:

The boxes were tidied and filled with tinsel, then topped off with precious letters from children in Homer and Mahomet, IL, and from Enterprise, Florida (see, I TOLD you that you can help from anywhere!).

One of my favorite vets, Dave Martin, stopped by with a hefty check from the Thank You Veteran's Run. Dave represents at all of our events!

And our last stop, the next day: The post office. Here's a very frazzled Donna, our postal clerk extraordinaire. Even though we called ahead and emailed ahead, and Facebooked ahead, someone at the post office got transferred to another station at the last minute, and they were a little short-staffed.

Most people were understanding, or at least soothed with the homemade cookies we brought to appease them, but there were a few that crabbed at the two poor remaining clerks as if it were their fault.

Oh, and there was one near cat-fight when one lady told another lady to shut her yap, and that if it took FIVE HOURS to process the boxes going to our troops, then they should all damn-well stand in line for 5 hours and be happy about it!! Ooo! That was exciting!

But it was mostly lovely. People did, as they always do when we are taking this many boxes to the post office, hand me cash. It touches me every single time, strangers handing me cash, asking if they can pay for a box, or if they can help.

My favorite part of the post office trip is visiting with Veterans. Older gentlemen leaning on canes as they wait, laughing and reminiscing with us and with each other about care packages they received from their mothers. It is almost always their mothers I hear about, and I think about how young they were when they were in Korea, or Vietnam.

They laugh about the delicious boxes of cookie crumbs they devoured, and how much the letters meant to them then. Their boxes and letters clearly mean as much to them now as they did then, and their reminiscing reinforces everything we do: You know the efforts of this community and these events are still going to be remembered somewhere in this world in the year 2062.

To all of you that continued to work for our troops, to schlep out in holiday crowds and shop for them, to bake homemade cookies and write them letters, and to donate your hard-earned cash to make sure that everyone on our list had a really great Christmas box: 

Thank you.

From every fiber of my being, Thank you.

Spaghetti Dinner Wrap Up

Aurgh, so much to tell, so little time! I'm distraught that time constraints prevent me from telling it all properly, but I'm still here to give you the highlights.

The Spaghetti & the Pasta!

Rob Meister, of Minneci's Italian Ristorante went above and beyond with the spaghetti. And the fettucine alfredo...and the pasta with pesto sauce...AND the pasta arrabiata. All with bread and parmesan, and it was endless; every last person was fed, and fed well. I can't tell you how many times during the evening I heard how great the food was.

If you don't already know it, Rob is running for State Representative; go check him out here!

The Music!

Asking ThreeBird to play was one of the best decisions I made about the entire event; I have no idea what I'd have done to keep people present and entertained when they were done eating. ThreeBird, featuring Jammin' Jimmy Bean, Jesse Frances, and Dave Cooper definitely kept the audience captivated, and this event was more successful as a result of their playing for us that night. The crowd was wow'd, and Clint and I have already discussed future outdoor home concerts at the country casa.

Not to be overlooked, and represented in all of these photos, of course, is Bob Osiek, the Esquire Lounge, and all of the staff at the Esquire. The venue was given to us for nothing, and with bottomless free pasta, I imagine they sacrificed a few burger and pizza sales for us that night. The staff was incredibly accommodating, offering to help out wherever they were needed.

I suddenly have an idea of what it's like to dragged off the stage with a shepherds hook, on an awards show, for carrying on and on while you try to give everyone credit. There were so many that stepped up again. People that show up and work for us and do nice things, and I can't think of anything I've ever done nice for them, except to accept their services.

And oh! The guests that showed up and gave so generously, I can't thank you enough for reaching into your pockets for us. We made $4000 that Sunday night, and when it was all said and done, one thing kept occurring to me: I never directly asked anyone for money. While it was a given that the event was a FUNDraiser, I never wrote letters asking for money (well, one, but I was told to). I didn't ask you to empty your bank accounts. I didn't charge you for Minneci's spaghetti.

I didn't have to.

I didn't have to ask because you care, and you understand. And in every letter I write to every soldier I meet, or will perhaps never meet, I stress to them how much you care. How you leave your comfortable homes, and you gather to support them. I tell them, "Soldier, I'm not kidding; people just give me money to take care of you. So tell me what we can do."

Ok, friends, they're giving me the "wrap it up" cue, and it's time for me to get moving on the Christmas event. (Ahem. It's December 4.) I can't thank you enough, I really cannot.

This is a CAKE, made by one of our sponsors,

Buffy Vance, of Madeline's Confectionary.

Former soldier (airman) baby and now vet
Jeremy Jay rocks the Free Hugs apron.

Spaghetti Dinner October 23

Toys for Troops Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

October 23, 2011

Esquire Lounge, Champaign, IL

4:30-9:00 p.m.

Spaghetti provided by Minneci's Italian Ristorante

Music by ThreeBird Acoustic Trio

Raffle items are listed below. Each item will be raffled off separately—you will be able to "vote" for what you'd like to win. If you're after the Cheese & crackers, buy your tickets and put all of them in the cheese and cracker box. If you want to go the grab bag route, mix your tickets up. You need not be present to win.

(ONLINE TICKET SALES ARE NOW CLOSED.)

RAFFLE ITEMS, AS OF 10/18/11

TICKETS $1 EACH OR 6 FOR $5

NOOK E-reader + cover with book light

Sephora cosmetics & skin care $600 VALUE

Illinois v. Michigan Football Tickets (& parking pass) Nov. 12, 2011

Illinois v. Loyola-Chicago Basketball tickets (& parking pass) Nov. 11, 2011

Huge basket of TRADER JOE’S sundries: gourmet food and wine

Cheese & Crackers Deli at Old Farm: Meat & Cheese tray for 12 ($75 value)

Maia Roman Spa, Urbana: Gift certificate for 30-minute massage

Bodi Bronze gift certificate

Triple T Oil & Lube--3 gift certificates

Crave Truck:  3 gift certificates for 2 “Hot Mess” Waffles & 2 coffee

Jarlings Custard Cup: $25 gift certificate

Madeline's Confectionary Arts Studio: Cake decorating lesson ($75 value)

Boltini's Lounge:  $25 Gift certificate x 2

Woodours  Activity Teddy Bear from Checkered Moon, at Old Farm

Circles Boutique $50 gift certificate for women's clothing, shoes, and accessories

Dandelion Vintage men and women's clothing, new and used accessories$25 gift certificate

Jane Addams Book store: 2,  $25 gift certficates

Handmade Illini Totebag, by Carrie Kingston

Basket of hair products and supplies, by Carrie Kingston

Mocha Momma $25 Gift certificate

Ippatsu Salon: 3, $40 gift certificates for haircut

Cabot, Vermont: Gift pack of 8 blocks of cheese

Ultimate Upholstery $130 gift certificate for carpet cleaning

Armored Gopher Games--$25 gift certificate

Flooring Depot: 2'2" x 7'5" runner area rug

ARMY basket, souvenirs from Ft. Hood, TX 

2 copies of When We Went to War.  Interviews with scores of World War II veterans and others from East Central Illinois. Originally published as a huge special section of the newspaper on the 50th anniversary of D-Day, we've made it into a book as the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor approaches. Terrific writing by Greg Kline and Phil Bloomer, lots of pictures. It will sell for $24.99 when it goes on sale.  

Savoy Recreation Center: Parent's Night

Eastland Suites Hotel & Conference Center: Overnight Stay 

 

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

Toys for Troops Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

October 23, 2011

Esquire Lounge, Champaign, IL

4:30-9:00 p.m.

Spaghetti provided by Minneci's Italian Ristorante

Music by ThreeBird Acoustic Trio

Raffle Tickets with great door prizes, & 50/50 

____________

Toys for Troops' last all-out fundraising event was in 2007.  I intend to write about what is involved in putting this fundraiser together.

First in order was securing time, date, venue, spaghetti, and music. I was nervous, but the hurdles  were mental—the first 3 people I approached said, in this order, "Yes," "Yes," and "Yes." Whoo hoo!

Next on the agenda is spreading the word.
 
It's amateur-hour on the advertising front. I am frugal with this organization's money.  I've designed and written all of the literature. I hacked out a newsletter that friends proofread for me. Bright green paper for $12, ink for $40, and 500 posters were printed at home. I had credit on the books at a discount printing house, so postcards were printed for next-to-nothing. I own my own laminator, and will take care of that with my own money. Gas and hours are on my dime too. I put this out there so that you know, for sure, where your donations are going: To Support the Troops! 

I also tell you to reiterate that I can't do this without you.  With a minimal advertising budget, our success really does depend on your help and your word-of-mouth. If you can tack up a poster, make a donation, spread the word to someone who can donate a gift certificate, I need you.

Posters have been printed. If you would also like to hand out or post a poster, contact me!

Postcards for vendors/donators are being delivered today, to use as a calling card when I go door-to-door, asking the nice people of this community to donate a gift certificate or two to the cause.
There are some that I'll have to tack a stamp to, but I'd really rather look you right in the eye and ask.

I also like to remind you: It doesn't matter where you are. Whether you're right by my side in this town, or if you're on the other side of the country, you can help.  Email me at ljstewart@gmail.com if you want to know how, or if you have any questions. I'll try to do frequent updates here!

Yeehaw, we have work to do, people!

They Keep Going, and Going...

My soldier babies, that is. Word is that they're all coming home, but they keep going and going and going to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jerrica, one of my first Toys for Troops supporters, is waiting in Kuwait in 121-degree heat to begin her second tour in Iraq. Pictured on the right, she told me in a quick Facebook chat today that she can't wait to get home.

I attended a going away party for my friend Laura's son, Maxwell, a few months ago.

 He's serving in Afghanistan right now.

• A California friend added 30 to my mailing list in April.
• A young friend in ROTC has given me a few more addresses.
• One officer has 27 guys that would like beanie babies.
• I received a letter today from another in Afghanistan that works in an area that has 8000 kids. They swarm him every day for toys.

Brian worked the airport at the base last night, sending off 600 of his, to Iraq. The mood was grim, he said, because "by morning they'll be in Germany and Kuwait." He sent me photos throughout the evening. The first read: "I do not miss this."

And this one, with the message: "He's writing a letter to his wife. Old school."

A few more, of them waiting, and this one, with a text: "Prayer."

And finally, this one.

1 army base.  1 evening. 2 planes. 600 soldiers. Away from home for 1 year.

At this point, Brian is still using his "Dwell Time," finally fully granted. There's a chance he will not deploy after all, this year, and maybe for the next. It's almost too much for me to believe. I talked to him this morning, and he admitted that last night was a tough night. "There was a lot of emotion in the room," he told me.

There's a pit in my stomach, because I know this. I know there's been a final goodbye. I know cell phones still allow some contact, some last minute I love yous, and text messages read "still waiting," "heading for the plane," and "will be in touch ASAP."  I know the phones will then probably be put away for the next year, and the next word will come from Germany, through email and Facebook. It might be tomorrow. It might be a couple of days.

And, with a sudden sense of panic, I know I have to get busy.

I got soldier babies overseas, and I got some motherin' to do.

Christmas Gifts to Soldiers Eve-Eve

Goodness gracious, it's here, it's upon us!

Toys for Troops
Christmas Gifts to Soldiers

Village Inn Pizza Parlor

Champaign, IL 61821

Sunday December 6, 2010

1:00–4:00

I haven't pushed this event very much on my blog this year, but I've still been working in the background to make it happen, Sunday afternoon. I'm not sure where the time goes; I'm constantly writing blogposts in my head, but it seems they get tucked away at day's end.

Anyway, it's happening! Our mailing list is smaller this year, but it went from 2 to 60 in the last 4 weeks. We're hoping to send 2 to every soldier.

Our local paper, The News Gazette, has been a great friend and supporter since this organization started, and I can't thank them enough for highlighting us in their paper 3 times since Veteran's Day. A little nudge here and there to the community to shop for a soldier, or to contact me for more info has been invaluable.

The community has rallied, and I remain in wonder at those folks that read those articles, pull out their checkbooks, seal an envelope and send us money. I can't overlook a donation that came to us through the newspaper, made by the Central Illinois Unit Marine Corps League Auxiliary. I opened an envelope last Friday afternoon that had a $500 check in it, with a note that said they'd read about us in the paper. This is another moment in which you'd think that cartwheels would be your response, but really, all you can do is sit down and stare, and wonder at how nice people are, and how much they care.

Yes, the community has rallied. They've asked for our flyer to print and hang in their offices and churches, and I'm getting phone calls every day about where to drop off donations. My car is full, my dining room is full, and I have notes and messages about more rolling in this weekend.

Our Annual Customs Forms party was Wednesday night at The Esquire. I supplied pens, forms, and beverages.* Elves supplied the handwriting.

It was a fun evening. We were all tripped up over the "newfangled" customs forms, and they might not be quite perfect in every way. Some first names are first, and as long as I've been doing this, I'm still not sure of what is what on a military address, so the zip codes might appear in the state line. There is one from "Stewart (COMMA) Jeremy" because Jeremy just started putting down his own information.

The forms demand to know just how many of what is enclosed in each box, and we got kind of general. "Snacks and DVDs and socks," they wrote. By the end of the night the elves got a little loopy and started to make up a few other donations. Some soldier out there is going to be sorely disappointed when he doesn't find a silk tie in his or her box. We assume the real contents will make up for the lack of enclosed neckware.

This organization touches my life in so many ways. I worry, sometimes, that I'll be come tedious with tales; at the same time, the most amazing things still happen on somewhat regular basis, that I just have to tell it. For example, it isn't every day that someone crosses a parking lot to ask me about the sign on the side of my car, and then hand me cash, but it happens. I don't meant it just happened once, I mean it happens.

Today, an elderly woman from another county called me. She was on a fixed income and couldn't give much, she said. She also didn't have the means to shop, or to deliver a donation for the event. But could she send a check for $10?


$10 is beautiful, I told her. $10 will send an entire box of goodies to a soldier. SHE will send an entire box of goodies to a soldier, and her $10 will change the direction of someone's day, someone's quite-possibly-lousy day. And I told her that my kid just came home, and he tells me firsthand how much those boxes mean.

 I love the $1s, and the $5s and the $10s every bit as much as I love the $100s and the $500s.

So, the event is 2 days away, and I'm anxious. I never know what's going to happen on Sunday. Will people tire of donating? Will we meet our goal? I pour over the budget, and try to do you proud with your donation money, shopping wisely, setting aside enough for shipping, and saving an emergency fund, in the event that we don't fill enough boxes for every soldier on our list. (Oh, we will send a box to every soldier.)

Also, a surprise. I've been a tad bummed that Brian's one-month leave was going to put him in this berg by....December 7. He'd miss the event by 1 day, how much did that suck?

I was deeply concentrating at work today when it was pointed out to me by coworker Kurt that someone was waiting to see me. I jumped, expecting to find the UPS guy standing behind me...

SURPRISE!!!

Nothing against the UPS guy, but this was WAY better! Brian! Brian is here! He will be here for a Toys for Troops event! My kid! My kid that got one of those boxes last year! He isn't there! He is HERE!  ::dance dance dance::

And just for old times' sake, to make him feel completely at home, I'm gonna put that boy to work.

See you Sunday!



*Please rest assured that your donations are not in any way dispensed in the feeding (or beveraging) of Toys for Troops Elves.

Christmas Gifts to Soldiers

DECEMBER 5, 2010

1:00 to 4:00 p.m. 

VILLAGE INN PIZZA 

1801 W. Springfield Ave., Champaign, IL

HOW YOU CAN HELP BRING A GIFT FOR A SOLDIER BAKE A DOZEN COOKIES WRITE A CARD OR LETTER  SPONSOR THE COST OF SHIPPING 1 BOX ($11.95)

GIFT IDEAS

• Gift cards to online companies that ship to APO addresses (Amazon.com, Netgrocer.com, drugstore.com, etc)
• CDs/DVDs
• Phone cards (good from Iraq)
• Handheld electronic games
• Current Magazines
• Small board games
• Coozies for bottles and cans
• Tan, green, or black t-shirts
• Black or tan mechanics gloves
• Boot-length socks
• Small white ankle socks (female)
• Med/sm black cotton underwear (female) 
• Shower gels (male/female)
• Sunglasses
• Times watches
• AA batteries
• Leatherman/Gerber tools
• Metal-bodied flashlights and headlamps
• Home made cookies or gourmet snack items
• Anything you can think of for a male or female soldier to open on Christmas morning.

• DROP OFF & PICK UP
  If you can't make it to the event, you can still drop off donations at Village Inn anytime between now and the event.
  
  If you can't deliver, we can schedule a pick-up. E-mail me at ljstewart@gmail.com

• 
  
  
  THE MORE, THE MERRIER!
  If you're not "from around here," you can still participate! 
  Families from all over the United States are joining us to send Christmas gifts, letters, and goodies to soldiers. E-mail ljstewart@gmail.co for a name & address, and some mailing tips!