I linked our old threads above so you could check out that I've been doing the care packages for soldiers thing since early summer of 2001 here on FR. I started calling our informal, volunteer grassroots group of troop supporters the Merry Band of Patriots, but we are not incorporated as an organized charity.
This thread is a continuation of threads going back for some time.
Jim Robinson once sent me a check himself, so I guess he thinks it's okay for me to continue these activities. We've met a few times at the Blackstone and Shaw troop support FReeps in 2001-2 and the FReeper picnic this year, and once at the Air National Guard terminal in Fresno to welcome President Bush in his first months in office when Air Force One flew in and then the president choppered into a national park.
However, these projects have been costly for me this past year as our soldier casualties have mounted. I spent as much out of my own pocket as was sent to me. Kind of a dollar for dollar match. But now I'm trying to pay off my mortgage and can't afford to do this project alone.
If Spanaway Lori is only willing to guarantee one purchase of one headlamp among her circle of friends, then it doesn't look like we are going to get enough takers from her friends to make up a 50 bulk order.
I'll check with the Hobbit Hole and see if they have any interest in putting their bank accounts on the line for our soldiers.
I've spent several thousand dollars of my own money sending care packages to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan this past year.
Have you been doing something yourself? Do you want to join our effort so what you can manage goes into a bigger pool and makes for a bigger bunch of packages?
How are you fixed financially? Can you pledge any of your own funds to this project? Do you know people who are troop supporters who would be willing to help?
My ping list has maybe 150 people on it who have contributed in the past, many of them only able to do prayers and moral support, or write letters, and several dozen who are blessed financially and able to sent money, too, in amounts ranging from $5 to $250, with $25 and $50 being the commonest amounts sent.
I keep a record of all the contributions and all the receipts from stores and the post office, in case anyone is ever interested in auditing them.
But $1400 is a big commitment for bulk ordering at this time for me, as I went into the hole doing the Christmas packages.
I'm mulling about just doing a few at the higher cost, and in a couple months when my bills are paid, doing more.
But first I'll check with the Hobbit Hole.
This is the thread.
Let me know if you know anyone at the Hobbit Hole who would be interested in joining forces to do a bulk order of 50 headlamps for the troops.
My share would go to our adopted company in Stryker brigade at Mosul. I could guarantee to foot the bill for 20 of them.
The particulars are in the posts near the beginning of this thread.
patriciaruth - I wouldn't expect anyone, no matter how well healed they are financially or not to go out and buy lamps without having donated funds in hand to do so.
For me, providing financial support right now is difficult. I am unemployed and my husband is disabled, but I am still willing to donate $10. which isn't much I realize but if it is added to what someone else can donate, soon a soldier has a light. We all do what we can.
Seems to me however that the first thing we need to do is come together on a plan. I may be wrong but right now it seems this thing is going in several different directions all at once.
Just thought about this... If there is interest I would be more then happy to set up a webpage for this if needed. We could purchase a domain name "Operation Lights" or so and put a paypal button on it with the appropriate info.
That way people can donate to you via Credit Cards etc..
Troops could contact us directly for lights as well...
Let me know...