Cool project

Hi all!
I just wanted to let you all know what's up and What Christopher and I are up to. We are both doing wonderful, Christopher has learned to dance and is starting to stand a little on his own (it seems that he is going to figure out how walking works and then do it, he stands and marches his feet while holding on so we'll see). At his birthday (some of you know this) we asked people to bring something for our adopted soldier in Iraq rather than (or in addition to) gifts (THANKS to you who came to the party or brought something for our box) well it turns out that the soldier we had previously been sending boxes too is now home (safe thank god). So, I requested a new soldier to get our box. The place we went thru has adopted out all of their soldiers, but directed me to this awesome site (which they endorse as a true honest non-profit) www.anysoldier.com.

So, now we basically have adopted a whole Marine troop (18 men and 4 women) this troop have just recently arrived in Iraq and are expecting to be there until May 2008. They are for the most part first timers in Iraq and haven't gotten much contact from their families (some of which are from CA and are safe from the fires) so the morale is low with this troop. There is a small letter from the contact person on their site that you can check out (this is where I have gotten the bit of info I am including here) You can go to the site and click "where to send" and look for his name

Sgt. Paul J. Beaudrie

So the deal is what I send will be given to whoever needs/requested it within this troop. Below is a list of what was needed as well as requested and as I receive contact back from them I can let anyone who is interested in sending along with us know. (Just email me if you want to know what's needed for this group, otherwise this will be the only email you get from me about it). I am excited to have a good amount to send from Christopher's party and I am going to send some pictures as well. This is something I really have a heart for because I want Christopher to understand how much these men and women are doing for his future and I know I'm not just sitting at home expecting them to keep me safe with nothing in return. Regardless of how I or anyone else feels about this war ( I will keep my opinion to myself lol) it's still our families that are risking their lives 24/7 to keep my little man safe!

So, off my soapbox, lol, here's the list of stuff (let me know if you want/have anything you want to send and I will make sure it gets sent. There is also I list on the USPS website with specifics if you want more ideas) MOST IMPORTANT: Letters from the states! Letters are the most requested thing from all soldiers.

NEEDS: All personal care items (both male and female) , disposable schick and mach 3 razors, Brown and Black cotton boot socks, kool-aid packets, hand sanitizer, nutter butters, nutty bars, pringles (I think it's cute that the last 3 things were listed under needs rather than wants but we all know how that goes right)

WANTS: A Zune power cord (anyone know what that is?), magazines, playing cards, maxwell house coffee, MP3 players, BLACK sunglasses, blue/green monster drinks (like Red Bull but called Monster), music and iPods.

They have trailors that have 210v electricity that fit 2 per trailor. as well as a microwave available to them. I am told as well that troops give out beanie babies (and similar size stuffed things) to the kids, so if you have any lying around feel free to send that as well.



Thanks!