URGENT NEED FOR ADOPTERS..  MANY HEROES NEEDING SUPPORT!!

The Soldiers' Angels was started by a self-described “ordinary mother” of an ordinary young man turned hero, Sgt. Brandon Varn. Brandon was deployed in Iraq and has since honorably completed his mission and has returned back to his proud and loving family.

In the summer of 2003, he wrote home expressing his concern that some soldiers did not receive any mail or support from home. Being a caring and loving mother, she decided not to allow a situation like that to continue. She contacted a few friends and extended family to ask if they would write to a soldier or two.

Within a few short months, The Soldiers’ Angels went from a mother writing a few extra letters to an Internet Community with thousands of angels worldwide and growing stronger with the addition of new members daily. With more and more merchants donating services, money and items for packages, the Angels reorganized as a 501 c 3 non-profit so all donations would be tax deductible.

Soldiers' Angels currently supports thousands of American Service Members stationed wherever we raise our Country's Flag and the number is growing daily. We also work tirelessly supporting our Wounded Soldiers, with transitional backpacks, personal visits, phone calls, etc. Additionally, we send our thanks via letters and email to the military of Great Britain, Poland and Australia who serve by our soldier’s side in Iraq.

Soldiers' Angels are dedicated to ensuring that our military know they are loved and supported during and after their deployment into harms way.

You can read the rest of the article at :

http://www.soldiersangels.org/heroes/default.php

I'll post the additional information.

Jackie..thank you for this information.  It's a wonderful thing to do!  There is a Care2 group with open membership as well: 

http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/Soldiers

1) What are the responsibilities of a Soldiers Angel?

Sending letters, cards and care packages to your soldier(s). While there are no rules about frequency we hope that all our angels will be able to send weekly letters and monthly packages to their soldiers.  It costs $8.10 to send a priority flat rate box.

2) How can I learn more about my soldier?

We have sent you all the information about your soldier available at the time your welcome letter was sent. If we obtain additional information will update you by email as soon as possible. Don't hesitate to ask questions about your soldier in your first letter so you can get to know him or her.

3) What should I write in my first letter to my soldier?

Introduce yourself as a Soldier Angel and let your soldier know that you have "adopted" him/her and will be writing and sending care packages. Tell your soldier about yourself and your family, they love to hear about what's going on "back home" so don't feel like you are giving too much detail. Ask your soldier questions about where they come from and what they do in the military as well as what snacks, books or music that they like. Remember, what is treasured most of all is the knowledge that someone they don't know cares enough to reach out to them. Be sure to include your mailing address and email in all communications so that your soldier can write back if they want.

4) What items should I send in my care packages?

We have detailed lists available on the Soldiers Angels website, but snacks of all types, powdered drink mixes, small portable games, books, CD's and especially DVD's are wonderful additions. Many deployed soldiers have access to a PX so toiletry items aren't needed as much as they initially were, but foot powder, chapstick (with UV protection) and eye drops are always appreciated.

5) What if I don't hear back from my soldier?

It is likely that you may not hear back from your soldier. Many times we need to take it on faith that our "angel efforts" are received and appreciated by our soldiers. Some soldiers will write or email back immediately but some are not as used to letter writing or may not know what to say to you. Our deployed soldiers are often sent on back to back missions with extended hours and need the little time in between to rest so unless your letter or package is returned, imagine the smile on your soldiers' face when he or she gets an unexpected treat at mail call. If your package is returned, contact SA immediately and we will try to find out if there has been a change in your soldiers' address, or if they are on their way home and there has been a stop put on their mail.

6) Can I share my soldier's address with other people if they want to write to him also?

Please keep your soldier's address confidential, for your use only. If you have friends or family that would like to support your soldier they can give you letters to send. Even better, have them sign up for their own angel and we will be able to reach out to more soldiers.

To adopt.. go to this link:

http://www.soldiersangels.org/heroes/adopt_a_soldier.php

They also have other ways to help if you don't want to adopt.. you can make a donation.. or you can purchase a GI bracelet.  They have so many things at this site.. so please check it out

There are a lot of things they need help with. 

Blanket of Hope.. If you like to sew.. check this link:

http://www.soldiersangels.org/heroes/blankets_of_hope.php

**********************************************

Do you enjoy making or shopping for baby gifts? If so, join us in helping to shower the babies of our deployed military personnel. 

http://operationtopknot.com/

**********************************************

This link lists "prepackaged" military care packages.  If you'd prefer to purchase one to send.. you can do that here:

http://militarycarepackages.net/

This is really awesome too!  Do you know of a soldier that you'd like to submit.. that you'd like to have someone adopt also!  If you do.. please go to this link:

http://www.soldiersangels.org/heroes/submit_a_soldier.php

There are a variety of items you can send if you prefer to put your own package together.  Some of those items are:

Sand scarves

Batteries

CD's

Pre-sweetened Koolaid, Gatorade, Hot Chocolate, Tea, Coffee

Snacks such as candy bars, hard candy, cookies

Personal Hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream and shampoo

Stationary and envelopes

AT & T International phone cards (cost about $9.00)

Personal fan

Wet wipes, toilet paper, kleenex

Skin repellent (for insects)

Sunscreen

*******************************

Another thing you can donate is Air Miles:

http://www.soldiersangels.com/Hero-miles.php

Hand and Foot Coverings are needed for Wounded Soldiers on Medevac Flights back to the USA!

These can be donated or made and donated.  There's more information at this link:

http://www.soldiersangels.com/wounded_mittens.php

To Adopt a Wounded soldier .. please go to this link:

http://www.soldiersangels.com/wounded_soldier_project.php

To Donate a BackPack...please go to this link:

http://www.angelsstore.org/Default.asp?Redirected=Y

From a Soldiers Angel

My husband came home from work the other day and said, "Hey my boss says thank you for the backpack."  Since his boss is in St. Louis I didn't have a clue what he was talking about. He says, "You know those Soldiers Angels ones!"

  His boss's nephew was wounded in Iraq and got shipped to Germany with exactly what he had on. Minus what clothing was cut off to work on him.  (He had a major arm injury)  This soldier said that backpack was a Godsend!!! He had never appreciated anything so much.   

Just thought I would share that you are touching people that are closer than you think!!!  

elaine

This really touched me.. Soldiers requesting help for the children.  Here's the link and information..

http://www.soldiersangels.com/Soldiers_Kids.php

The purpose of Operation Soldiers Helping Children is to send humanitarian relief through shipments to American soldiers for distribution to Iraqi children.