Still Collecting

I'm still collecting supplies and donations for care packages for our soldiers overseas.It use to be with Have a Heart/Adopt a Soldier but now I volunteer for Operation Adopt a Soldier.They are a much larger group but they do the same thing: CARE FOR OUR SOLDIERS. They will not let them be forgotten and neither will I,so please continue to donate and collect supplies.Just let me know and I'll come and get them and send them overseas.Don't Forget Them.

Hello Newport Elementary School

Another great group of young adults.The school's 5 th grades were filled with lots of questions for myself and my special guest Staff Sgt. Seavers after our presentation.Aprox.40 kids heard from us about sending care packages to our soldiers and why it's needed.They were shown what a care package looks like and how much stuff you can actually put into one.Then Sgt. Seavers told of his deployment in Iraq and how much it ment to him to get these care packages.This was followed by a very active question and answer period.Examples of the questions asked were: How can you tell the difference between our soldiers and the terrorists? Do you use night vision goggles to look for bombs?Do you send joke gifts in all your care packages? Where do you find these bombs? What kind of animals did you see there? Lots of great questions and sorry to say not enough time to get to them all.The kids said they will write letters and cards to put into care packages that will be sent out to our soldiers.We love to talk to children,their vision is wide open and they see the whole picture and are not afraid to share their feelings.Thank you Mrs.Lowell for setting this up and good luck to your son,the marine,who will be soon deployed.We are very proud of him and tell him thank you for what he is about to do for us.

Great Day at Park St.School in Springfield,VT

What a great day friday was,I got to meet these awesome 3rd and 4th graders at Park St. School down in Springfield,VT. Thanks to their teacher Mrs.Rany,it was a very informative session.The kids all came in,sat down and we began.They were all very anxious to find out who I was and what I did.I explained how we ship care packages and why.I showed them what was in the packages including petey the screaming parrot,which they liked.Then I showed them pictures of some of the soldiers overseas and ones we have lost.The question period was very good,with lots of very good questions to be answered.Time ran out too soon but the kids needed to start working on their cards and letters to the soldiers.I would love to go there again,great kids ,great smiles and awesome teachers.Thank you all for a great day.

Thank You Blue Q

Well today BLUE Q donated over 200 cases of body wash,lip balm,soap and candy to be sent in care packages to our soldiers,WOW what a load of items.This all went to our new care package provider: OPERATION ADOPT A SOLDIER. They came up from Wilton, NY and picked it all up and will ship out asap.Now you are probably wondering why the new group.Well thanks to the IRS wanting a piece of non-profits money they have decided we owe aprox. $3000 in taxes for 3 months worth of shipping care packages.Where are we going to get that from? We're just a small time group of concerned citizens that want our soldiers to get something from home so they know we care.We don't have any money like that,what comes in goes out faster to ship our packages.So as of the end of this month HAVE A HEART/ADOPT A SOLDIER will no longer be alive.Gladys has to sell everything to raise the money for the taxes,it's not practical to try to stay afloat with all this GOV. CRAP. So we'll support the above group and continue on with them.Please continue to donate to me and I'll get it to them to get to our soldiers.thank you. These are pic of the load that was shipped today. http://www.operationadoptasoldier.org/

Thank You Amarah's Chocolates and Blue Q

Thank you both for your great donations.Amarah's Chocolates at Taft's Corners Williston,VT donated enough candy that over 100 care packages will get some sweets from VT. wow thank you so very much.They will just love the variety,licorice,nuts,snacks,sunflower and pumpkins seeds dipped in chocolate,mmmm sounds delicious. Now Blue Q products of Pittsfield,MA has donated 4 skids of body wash,soap and candy.Overwhelming is the least of it.After they did their inventory they found they were overstocked and they called me and gave me first shot at claiming them for our care packages,I'm no fool,I said yes.I'll worry how to get it to my house later.So there are still some businesses that are supporting our soldiers.If you are a business or know one that would like to donate,please call me,we need SUPPLIES BADLY!!!! Thank you.

Thank You " Far from Home " Class

WOW, what a great job Cori Rockwood's "Far from Home" class did on Feb13th. They made almost 2 dozen blankets,collected 2 boxes of supplies and made 30 water bottle Easter Baskets.So cool.I went and spoke to the class and was very impressed by them.They see the Big Picture and they know what needs to be done.They know that our soldiers need to be supported as well as their families.The scope of their maturity isn't realized until projects like this take place.The thought that went into these blankets and Easter bottle baskets was awesome.I would have never thought to cut a water bottle in half,decorate it,put easter grass and candy in it and you have yourself a very cute gift for our Soldiers.I hope to hear from them again because these are the things that we need from our citizens,support for our soldiers.I would love to see the look on a soldier's face when they get these great gifts.If you get a moment please call the Lamoille Union Middle School in Hyde Park,VT and tell them how proud you are to hear about this class of students.I know I am very proud to have met these young adults,very proud to know them and extremely proud of what they have done for our Soldiers. THANK YOU " Far From Home" class. You're awesome.

The Kids are at it Again!!!

On Feb.13th I will be going to Lamoille Union Middle School where Cori Rockwood's class once again is supporting our Soldiers.They have so far made a dozen blankets to be shipped to wounded soldiers overseas.What an awesome group.This will be my first time to meet these young folks and I'm excited.They see the big picture and are willing to step up and do something about it.Next week I will post pictures and my reaction and their reaction will be posted.Please spread the word to other schools to have their classes take on projects.Write letters,make cards or anything else will help.Thank you Lamoille Union in Hyde Park.

Looking for Donations

I started today writing notes to some schools to see if any of the kids would be interested writing letters,cards and maybe collecting supplies for our care packages.If you know of any schools that would be interested send them my way,phone and email are here. Also Blue Q in Pittsfield,MA. has offered many cases of body wash and candy to donate and said if I had a cargo van or covered pickup they would fill it with cases. All I have to do is drive it down and back and they would fill it up.Anyone know where I could get one to borrow for the trip? It's about 3.5 hrs one way,I'll pay for gas and I only drive automatic.If anyone reads my postings at all please let folks know I'm looking.thanks

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Supplies are almost gone,look around and see what you can donate,if anything,we need to keep shipping care packages. 2 Companies are stepping up,BLUE Q, in Pittsfield,MA. and Bumble Bars from Spokane,WA. have committed to sending us items.We are all hurting alot but please see what you can do for us and our soldiers.Thank you in advance.

It's TOO Quiet Out There!

We knew as the first of the year rolled around that donations would dropoff with the economy being as bad if not worst then we thought but it's alot worse then we thought.Donations are almost non exsistent,even from companies. Please try if you can to donate something,anything will help.They are still overseas and still need care packages from home.Thank you. Oh,forgot to tell you,a girl scout troop in Burlington is making Valentine's Day cards.Pass info to your school child and have their class write letters to our soldiers,that helps.Thanks again.

What We Didn't See on The News

Emailed photos taken in Baghdad, Iraq show 1,215 uniformed servicemembers taking part in the single largest U.S. reenlistment ceremony since the all-volunteer force began in 1973 Amazing how the media is allowed to continue their bias & control what the average citizen sees every day on the news..... what a skewed concept it gives to what is really happening. Largest Re-enlistment Ceremony - Ever... I'm sure you already know about this. It was shown over and over on TV, right? OK, so maybe it wasn't shown over and over, but surely it was shown on TV at least one time, wasn't it ?
This was the largest re-enlistment ceremony ever held in military history. The ceremony was held on the 4th of July, 2008 at Al Faw Palace, Baghdad , Iraq . General David Petraeus officiated. This amazing story was ignored by the 'mainstream' media. For those who have been in the Al Faw Palace, you'll have a better appreciation of the number of people crammed around the rotunda supporting the re-enlisting soldiers. American men and women volunteering to stay longer in Iraq, so that when we leave, the new democracy will have a chance of surviving, is the exact opposite of what the media wants you to think about Iraq. If only a bomb had killed 5 civilians in a marketplace - now that's the kind of news the media is eager to tell you about. A pizzeria in Chicago donated 2000 pizzas that were made and shipped to Baghdad , and were delivered on the 4th. The media did report that 2000 pizzas were sent to Iraq on July 4th... The only part they left out of the report was the event for which the pizzas were sent. I can't help but wonder... What would the opinion of Americans be if they weren't getting such obviously biased 'news?' Pass this on and we will do the work for the Media.
Image credits: Top photo by U.S. Marine CPL Frances L. GochBottom photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jason R. KrawzyckCourtesy U.S. Army
Comments: True. On Independence Day 2008, 1,215 U.S. servicemembers stationed in Iraq gathered in the rotunda of the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad to reenlist and celebrate the Fourth of July. The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by General David Petraeus, commanding general of the Multi-National forces in Iraq. Coverage of the event appeared in mainstream news sources such as the Washington Post, USA Today, McClatchy Newspapers, and the Associated Press. http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=largest+re-enlistment+ceremony&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#

Whats Coming Up.

Well here it is,the after the Holidays withdrawals. Now the real slow down in donations will take place. We all know how bad the economy is,we're all in it together but please look around and see what you could possibly do to help our soldiers and their families. A card,letter,cookies,supplies,money or just about anything , we'll send it overseas, we're low on everything.We sound like the Food Bank,Salvation Army and United Way rolled all up together but we need your help,too.We are a non-profit,too and are a tax deduction if you are looking for an angle.Please help us. Here's a bright spot,the Lamoille Valley Middle School are making blankets to send to our Soldiers and I'll be over there Feb.13th to meet these great young adults.By the way it's their second year doing this.Thank you

Here are The Glover Kids

These are the Great Kids from Glover Community School who collect all the great supplies for our Soldiers.These articles were printed by the Newport Daily Express.Thank you Glover for having Awesome Children who know what the big picture is and how to help those in need.Click on image to enlarge.

AWESOME GLOVER 4TH GRADERS

WOW,AWESOME,FANTASTIC, just a few words to describe Mrs.Baker's and Mrs.Leblanc's 4 grade class at Glover Community School.They collected in 4 weeks,over 100 pairs of sox,100 toothbrushes,toothpaste,floss,foot powder.Incredible accomplishment.Not only that but the project was started by the students themselves first, then the teachers guided them along.The respect and priviledge of getting to know these kids is overwhelming.I am so honored that they shared their time with me and allowed me to get to know them.What great people they are.There are not enough words that I can share that tells you how I feel about these kids,the very biggest of THANK YOU'S go out to them for what they have done for our soldiers.Their parents and teachers should be very very proud of what their children are turning into,very special human beings,thank you kids.So now let me rewind it alittle bit and tell you how it all started. In Oct. I sent out a small but pointed news blurb to the radio stations and newspapers that our organization had run out of sox for our soldiers for the first time.The article was printed in the Newport Daily Express paper.In the mornings the students and teachers read the paper.They read the article and the kids thought they could help.Shortly thereafter I get a phone call from a very fine 4th grader,she made the first contact with me and wanted to know what they could do to help,I explained what we do and what they could do.She proceeded to relay the info to her teachers,they had group meetings,designed collection boxes,put out the boxes and collected those amazing totals.A date was setup with me to meet with them,describe to all about what we do and then for me to say THANK YOU. I hope to never loose contact with these great young adults,I am so very proud of them,they are our future,wow are we in good hands.

More Thank You's

Lets start by saying thank you to everyone that is helping us fill care packages to our soldiers.First off is the Eagles of Milton,Vt. They held a craft fair and gave us over $2300 to sponsor soldiers for the year and give them packages from home.Next is Blue Q of Pittsfield,MA. for donating 20 cases of body wash,soap, and candy.http://www.blueq.com/ They are incredible!! Go to their website and check out their stuff,awesome! Next is Cabot Hoisery of Northfield,VT for donating 100 pairs of sock,greatly needed as we are out of socks again,thank you.Up next the kids,Bishop Marshall School in Morrisville,VT for sending a package full of pictures and letters to our soldiers,many care packages got these special letters.Lamiolle County Moovers,a 4H club that sent us cards for our soldiers,great job.Vermonter Candy for two 5 gal.buckets of the best peanut brittle around.Liberty Orchards for a case of Applet Candies. Thank you so very much for your support.

New Barrel Site

We have just dropped off a barrel for supplies at RITE-AID in Essex Jct.,It's been there for 4 days and we have already emptied it twice,what a hot spot.Also Price Chopper on Shelburne Rd. is very hot as well,emptied twice there too.Please keep up the great support of these businesses who are helping us collect supplies for our soldiers.They know how hard the times are and they have stepped up and shown great support of our cause.Thank you.

THANK YOU DRM for your Support

I would like to thank DRM of Burlington for the last 4 weeks of outstanding support for our soldiers.They kept a barrel for only 4 weeks and they filled it twice.WOW! would love to have that barrel there forever but I'll definitely accept those 4 weeks of great help.Maybe next year if we are still doing care packages ( I'm Sure we Will be ) They could help again and encourage those on the sidelines to get into the game.Once again THANK YOU DRM. Well done and greatly appreciated.

Another Supply Dropoff Spot

This great group of supporters has been helping collect supplies for our soldiers care packages for several years now and they too will accept donations and supplies for our care packages.This bunch is the Pat Speilman-Morris State Farm Insurance Office in Essex Jct. Please drop-in and tell them thank you for caring about our soldiers.They have NOT FORGOTTEN THEM. They help everyday to bring joy and hope to our soldiers overseas.So if you want to add to the care packages we send,drop them off there and they'll get them to us.Thank you.

NEW Barrel Locations

We have 2 new barrel locations.First is at: Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC in downtown Burlington and at : Price Chopper on Shelburne Rd. S.Burlington.Please take a moment and drop off supplies at these great locations and support our soldiers overseas.

Also remember we have barrels already at the Milton Town Library and A+B Beverage in Grand Isle.

Wow Great Job All

It was a great success this past weekend,we collected $585 cash and 48 bags of supplies between Green Mtn Harley and Hoagies.Great job,just remember it doesn't have to stop here,keep collecting and giving to our care packages for Soldiers.thank you

Supplies for Soldiers Collections

On Oct. 24th I'll be collecting supplies at Green Mtn.Harley-Davidson in Essex Jct. I'll be there from 9-5 rain or shine.Please help us send care packages to our soldiers.We need supplies and donations.Anything you can do will help us out.I know the economy sucks but we still can't forget our soldiers. On Oct.26th I'll be at Hoagies Pizza and Pasta in Essex Ctr. from 11-9 rain or shine.For those that donate Hoagies will give you a coupon for 10% off your purchase.Please stop by and help.

9/11 SHOULD NEVER BE FORGOTTEN !!!!

Today - September 11, 2008 - marks the 7-year anniversary of the most horrific attack by terrorists against the United States. Please take a moment to stop and think about where you were when you first heard of these awful attacks taking place against our nation, and the thousands of lives lost on that fateful day.
We made a declaration as a nation: "never again." We swore we would not forget, and that we would not allow apathy to set in. Yet as I send this NOTE to you this day, it seems that so many Americans have forgotten what took place that day, and the on-going war that is being waged by radical Islamists against the West.The passengers aboard Flight 93 fought back against radical Islam on this day 7-years ago, and we must not ask anything less of the American people in continuing that fight until that threat has been defeated.by"Joe Wierzbicki".

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL' You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I. I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.' I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night. ; I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.' I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered. I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them. I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me? I want yo u to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor. Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there. I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me? Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.' I will be in the stairwell of your final moments. God NEVER,NEVER, FORGET WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE ON 9/11 2001

Sorry for the Inactivity

I am sorry that I haven't been able to do as much as I was once doing but I haven't stopped shipping to our soldiers.Due to upcoming paycuts at IBM,where I work, I've had to take a second job to make ends meet.I will still collect and ship to our great soldiers overseas.I just won't be as visible as before.I'll be working the computer and phones but I still accept all donations for them.I will never FORGET THEM, none of us should !!! Thank you for your continued support.

Thank You for July 28th Also New Barrels are Out!!

It was a great success.We collected $492 cash and 13 bags of supplies.That will allow us to ship and fill 50 care packages,awesome.Thank You Essex Citizens Bank for helping to make this a success again.Thank you so very much.Keep a look out for my next set up.There is a possiblity of Keene,NH next time.We'll see.thanks again.Also thank you to radio STAR 92.9 for having me on air on tuesday to report the results and talk about what we do and what we need for help.By talking to them they have decided to put a collection Barrel in their Lobby for the general public to drop off supplies,also We got a Call from A+B Beverage in Grand Isle they too are very excited about having a barrel in their store.The more the better.Remember will still have that barrel in the Milton Library,too.Come on everyone lets collect supplies for our Soldiers.Thank you.

Supplies for Soldiers July 28th

I'll be at the Citizens Bank in Essex Jct. On July 28th from 9am-5pm rain or shine.They are located in the BIG Lots shopping center across from the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds.I'll be collecting supplies and donations for our care packages.We need your help,we're out of supplies and the funds are drastically low.Please let as many people know as possible that this event is taking place..Our soldiers can't be FORGOTTEN. Thank you Howard Longway 802-879-6068 Personal Items Needed

Magazines Puzzle Books Head Lamps Socks ( black/OD Green Black knit hats Black Knit gloves Small Blankets Small games Phone Cards (international) CD players DVD's Silly String Air fresheners Hygiene Items Needed:

Toothbrushes Q-Tips Shampoo Men/Women Deodorant Disposable razors Tampons Baby Wipes Chap Stick

FOOD/SNACKS NEEDED Peanut Butter Peanuts Little Debbie Snacks Candy Bars Gum Soup (pot top lid ) Crackers Cheese Wiz Beef Jerky Drink Mixes Coffee Twizzlers Popcorn Cocoa Poptarts Sunflower Seeds Beef Sticks Slim Jims Breakfast Bars Energy Bars Power Bars Tuna/Cracker Snacks.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY - REMEMBER OUR SOLDIERS

HAPPY 4TH EVERYONE!!!!! Please take a moment out this weekend and Thank a Soldier for all he or she has done for us.Remember if not for them we would not have the Freedoms that we still enjoy today.Just think what it would be like without these Freedoms.I can't imagine what it would be like.They have given SO MUCH it's time to GIVE BACK. Enjoy this weekend but Take a moment for them.Send your prayers and thoughts out to them.If you post them here I'll send them to our soldiers in their care packages that we send,Please drop us a note to send them.Thank you.

June 25th Set up a Success

It was a success on June 25th,we collected $400 cash and a box of supplies.Great job. People always come up to me at my events and ask if I'm happy with the results and I always say yes.No matter the amount collected I tell them " I start the day with zero,if at the end of the day I have gotten something the day was a Success" Thats how I measure success.I know times are tough but we have to keep supporting our soldiers overseas and their families at home.Please take a moment and look around and see if you might have something that we could send to a soldier away from home.Thank you all for your support and your support of our soldiers.Please keep it up.

Supplies for Soldiers June 25th

On June 25th I'll be at the Essex Discount Beverage Store on Rte15 in Essex Ctr. just before The Price Chopper Shopping Center and right after the Outlets In Essex at Lang Farm.I'll be there from 9-6pm collecting as many supplies for our care packages that we send to our soldiers overseas. If you can't drop off supplies but want to help,cash donations are gladly taken to help pay for the shipping which is $11 per box,it adds up fast when you ship close to 150 boxes per week every week.So please stop by and help us out.Thank you.

$10,000 !!!!!

On June 6th and 7th Martha and I went to Gettysburg,PA to support Freedom Alliance,this group gives scholarships to children that have lost a parent in the war or one that has gotten seriously wounded.What an event! $10,000 was raised to put into this great organization. The Dream Cruisers PT Club kicked off their third fundraiser for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund on June 6 th & 7 th at The Outlet Shoppes in Gettysburg, PA. While the weather was HOT and steamy everyone rallied to the cause. Through selling cash raffle tickets, Chinese Raffle tickets, the 50/50 raffle and t-shirt sales we were able to raise $9,830.00. A check, as well as money raised through t-shirt sales, were presented to Shannon Sullivan who was there representing the Freedom Alliance. Since the event, more cash has come in and our grand total on money raised for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund is now at $10,000.00 We have not only met our goal but we have surpassed it. Everyone worked hard very hard to make this happen. A good job was done by all.

Memorial Day in Essex

A Great day and a great turn out.Weather was cool but sunny,parade went really well and of the course the food was good.

Lamoille Valley Cruisers for Soldiers

This event was May 23rd in Morrisville,VT put on by the Lamoille Valley Cruisers. The weather sucked but we had a great turnout.We collected $605 cash and 8 large boxes of supplies.We had 35 classic cars present as well as 2 PT'S. We had a hurricane with hail at 3pm,cloudburst at 5pm and a closing downpour at 9pm.Soggy wouldn't describe it.The diehards were there and the results were great.Thank you to our Hosts: Lamoille Valley Cruisers and Hoagies Pizza.Great job all.

Late Results---sorry for delay

The Cruisers for Soldiers event on May 10th was a big success.We raised $987 cash and 28 bags of supplies for our care packages.We had 24 cruisers attend.6 members of our armed services were there.We had a car detailer,window tinter,car cleaner and a dragster.Weather was awesome and the music great.

Cruisers for Soldiers

A benefit car show for our soldiers.They've Givin All It's Time to Give Back! We will be collecting supplies for care packages and donations to help pay for the shipping of these care packages.It's May 10th 9-3pm Open to the public,Free,come and look at a wide range of custom PT.Cruisers as well as get to meet some of our Soldiers.There will be music,vendors,raffles.All proceeds go to Have a Heart/Adopt a Soldier,a non-profit that ships 100 care packages each week,every week, to our soldiers overseas.Please bring supplies for our care packages.If you own a PT.Cruiser drive it in and show it off.If you don't own a PT still drop by and help out in supporting this great organization and cause.It will be held at the Freedom Chrysler Dealership on Rte.7 Shelburne Rd. S.Burlington,VT Remember THEY HAVE GIVIN ALL IT'S TIME TO GIVE BACK!