As many of you know, we’ve been collecting handmade greeting cards for US troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, etc. Through our collective efforts, we’ve provided well over one thousand greeting cards for soldiers to send home to their loved ones. There is a constant need since greeting cards are in short supply or totally unavailable to the soldiers. At present, we need general birthday, birthday cards for children, love you, miss you, thinking of you type cards. Also greeting cards for Valentine’s Day and Easter, 2007, would be most welcome.
If you would like to help with our Stamp For The Troops effort, please make handmade cards (we no longer distribute “purchased” cards) and drop them at the shop or send them to us. We will take responsibility for shipping them and will continue to do so as long as there is a need. Remember, these are not intended to be greeting cards to US soldiers, but from them to the recipient of their choice — their children, spouses, family and friends. Whatever you can do to contribute will be appreciated by people who are far from home and in harm’s way. The cards will be distributed through Karen Dylong and Any Soldier, a group that sends care packages to soldiers stationed overseas. Any Soldier works with members of all branches of the Armed Services in harm’s way. To learn more about this not-for-profit organization, visit www.anysoldier.com.
Thank you to everyone who has helped with this project! We’re doing a Good Thing --making a difference in the lives of people who are away from home and in service to our country. Whatever position we may take on the war, these people, some no more than kids themselves, merit our support. As Karen said, “handmade is special and comes as a gift of someone's time, talent and love.” The soldiers we’ve heard back from have noticed that the cards are handmade and have sent their thanks:
From Iraq:
E-mail from a very happy soldier, received 9/05: “Thanks
from all of us, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I really LOVE the cards
you sent to ALL of us. Thanks from us all. I love them so much I don't want
to mail them to any one, Thanks again from us.
- SGT. Barno Tracy”
E-mail from a Marine, received 8/05: “Thank you for the cards. I
will use them for writing to my two children back in NC. They are 4 and
8. I am sure they will enjoy them. Please also thank your local
rubber stamp store. Most of the stuff that comes in through any soldier.com
is for males. So thank you for thinking of the females over here. Please
continue to pray for us.
Semper Fi,
SSgt Wendy L Silvera”
This posting to the anysoldier web site is from the
wife of a soldier in Iraq. She sends updates since he has limited access
to the internet from a remote site in Iraq. The Valentine’s Day cards
she is speaking of came from us. SSG Prochnow dropped Karen a note saying
that no one had thought to send anything like that and they were picked over
very quickly.
04 Mar 2005
I am once again updating
this site for my husband, SSG. Brian Prochnow. He wanted me to first express
his appreciation and gratitude for all the boxes and letters you have been sending,
he says he puts the opened boxes out in a commons area where they are stationed
and they are emptied with in hours by soldiers needing the items. They really
appreciate all of your kindness.
They have received a lot of toiletries and seem to be well
stocked on them for a while. He says they have a lot of long hours where they
could use things to do, like games for computers, DVD's that can be watched on
personal computers, games, books, magazines, etc. They also need laundry soap,
liquid is best.
They also would like cards for different occasions that they can send home
to their families, such as birthday cards for their children and wives, ( I
cannot tell you what a surprise it was to me to receive a Valentines card from
Brian in the mail, it brought me to tears. Someone had sent Valentines cards
as well as kids cards, so each of our children received a Valentine from their
father as well. It was a very thoughtful, touching gesture that we will never
forget).
They of course always love the treats, sweets and snacks. And please keep sending
letters they all love to get them. Thank you once again, God Bless you and
please pray for all our soldiers and the Iraqi forces training to stand up
and fight with them.
GOD BLESS
From Afghanistan: “My wife is a "Stampin Up Queen", as I call her. As such, I know how much work they are and these are beautiful. Thank you so much for treating us to these cards - bless you, Jim”
From Iraq: “...I made myself a promise in the beginning that I will respond to everyone who sends me mail however small. So with that, here is a big Thank You for your support from me and the soldiers I work with. Through your packages and mail you have made a difference in many lives. For that alone is commendable. Please accept this small token of appreciation on behalf of the finest soldiers in the world. We are who we are because of you. Thank you again . . .your Soldier in Arms... Eric”
From Afghanistan: “Thank you for the attractive cards. Their final destination has been Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan and the 109th Engineer Group of Rapid City, SD. Thank you for your prayers! Blessings, Bryan (MAJ Bryan A. Jacobson)”