I wanted to give myself a Christmas Present. I have a friend who knows a young man in uniform in Aghanistan. So I got his address and I begin this as a community service then things changed and I changed it to, Lord-guide-me-and-bless-this-effort type project. So I contacted all my neighbors and friends. A few gave and I bought so much stuff and made little treat bags from Christmas fabric. One of the biggest need this group asked for was boot laces. How simple was that?? Very, I found salvage places with scads of things that help them and entertain them and nourish them. Reading materials and toiletries that have no perfume and are in travel sizes. Everything was put in ziplocks, that was the second request. They needed ziplocks to keep their stuff fresh and clean. Being a frugal person, I want you to know, I packed 13 of the APO boxes for them and mailed them 22 November 2010....got word last night. Mission Accomplished !!! What a wonderful Christmas gift to me, to know they got there with little messages through out all the 100+ packages and goodies. They will know this One Grandma loves them and prays for them. I just wanted to share. Anyone you know with a relative or friend 'over there' get their address and at least send a card. I send more than I should, but cards they can carry and look at over and over. I love this board and all you wonderful people. You are another blessing. Thanks to the owner of this site and the workers and all who participate. I never fail but to learn when I come in here and read. Thank you. Ruth

What a wonderful story. I know they appreciate your wonderful gifts. Merry Christmas!!!

That was a lovely thing to do, Ruth...you truly are blessed.

Thank you for supporting our troops! My son was the recipient of several "goodie" boxes (not just from family) while he was stationed there!

As the wife of a soldier who just returned from a deployment I want to thank you. Selfless things like you did for those soldiers means so much to them. My husband brought all the cards and things he received while being deployed home to show me and his face still lights up when he talks about it. God bless you and Merry Christmas!

Awww! mrspete that was so wonderful of you to do that. You know that they appreciated everything that you sent.

Ruth, what an amazing thing you did that will impact so many.
I'm speechless here. Blessings to you, my dear :)

Bless you for your work and Merry Christmas

God bless you Ruth! You are a sweatheart!

You are an absolute angel for doing this. This has to be an especially hard time for all the troops who are away from their families at this time of year. I am sure that you made it a little bit easier for them knowing that people care about them.

Thanks for supporting our troops, great gifts that you sent to them!

Job well done!

Beautiful selfless act! Blessings to you and yours this Christmas time and throughout the coming years.

WOW you are an Angel...such a blessing you are to those men and women. I am certain they are happy to have gotten thier unexpected surprises.

It warms my heart to know there are still good people out there willing to go the extra mile and support our troops!
May GOD Bless you.

Just to give you an idea of how much the smallest thing can mean to ppl at war,my DH is a Korean vet.That was a long time ago & he can still tell you the names of those who wrote, kept in touch or sent small goodies.He has a small display box with some things he's kept all these yrs.
Thanks for sharing with our soldiers.

This is so kind and generous of you! (((HUGS))) :D:D:D

God Bless you! Every little thing we take for granted here, they cherish there. You are one super Grama that is for sure! thanks for sharing.

Thank you for showing our troops someone else cares! I have two military sons and one just retired from Afghanistan (more than 20 years in). I sent boxes every couple weeks and was hard pressed to do it. My family boxes were the only ones he got. But, I put enough in for him to share around. They loved it so I know your guys will too. Give yourself a hug!!

Mrspete As the mother of a soldier about to deploy again , Thanks from the bottom of my heart.There are so many things that we take for granted but to our troops are a luxury.The women in my DD unit needed tampons which our Army does not provide. We sent a case and the women still say thanks. I don't know about you gals , but to me that is a necessity. Again,Thanks Sue

Ruth, what a wonderful thing to do. You surely have another jewel added to your heavenly crown.

Mrspete, I love you......every time I read one of your posts, I love you even more and as a former military dependent, I had to tell you today, I no longer could just think it to myself.

I love you, too.

Ruth, you are such a Blessing to our world & I am so thankful that we have been friends, too.
:D :D :D :D

Thank you so much for thinking of our men and women like that. I really appreciate all your hard work.

Thank you for your kind words, Cheryl. I was raised to be almost as in awe of our military as I was of the Bible, almost! Now that most of them are the ages of my grandchildren, well I feel so maternal. Pray for them! Blessings, Ruth

MrsPete, what you did is amazing and outstanding. You are simply the best.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. :thumbup:

I am ashamed. I give my Lord all the praise and thank HIM to be able to share. I thank each of you for the kindness in your hearts. I am the blessed one.

In Prayer, Ruth

Bless you, Ruth, what a wonderful thing for you to do!

You certainly one grandma that cares for our troops, Bless you and them this holy season. May in Jersey

You gave yourself a wonderful present and you gave our troops more than you'll ever know. My DD was in Afghanistan last Christmas & she has warm memories of the special cards and packages she received from loving people like yourself - God bless you for all your support of our troops.