Wednesday, November 15, 2006

TOYS FOR CHAPLAIN G

Here is what I put in the chapel bulletins for this week:

Chaplain G is leading a group of troops to (country removed) orphanages in December. He would like to provide small gifts that the troops can give to the children they meet. If you would like to participate, please bring small new or gently used toys to the chapel NEXT WEEK! Small dolls, matchbox cars, action figures, stuffed animals, balls - even Happy Meal Toys - will be a blessing to a child. "Small" is key - remember all must be mailed! Packages must be mailed the 27th to arrive in country on time.

OK - so if you want to do this - you can mail a box directly to Mike. If interested, please email me and I'll send Mike's address. It's an APO address and so you only pay American postage....but you will want to mail by the last week in November as the trip is 10 December. I have found priority flat rate boxes at $8.10 to be a deal....they usually arrive in 5 days.

This is cool. The (removed country name) native base commander got excited about this. Now the Minister of Orphanages (a government position) is excited and plans to meet the troops there....I think it would be GREAT if the troops had gifts to give the children...sort of break the ice type thing.

Mike is also collecting religous books for the base library and to pass out. Same details as above....email me if you want the address.

Thanks for spurring me on Kristine in SA...I've been meaning to post....Anyone can feel free to pass this info on.... Kristine....I miss you and AK, how about you?

PS we are having fun collecting toys. My children have brought up that english speaking toys won't be understood and some action figures may be offensive in their culture...but Mike and the guys can figure that out on that end. They know the culture better than I by this time. LOL

3 comments:

Debbie said...

Thanks for passing on the new info. The kids and I are very excited about doing this. We already picked up a box at the PO and will start filling it!

PS-had to copy your weather thingy...very cool!

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Wow - this is mushrooming - Mike are you reading? I think you are going to get lots of toys the troops can deliver. You can do the orphanage trip on 10 Dec and have MORE for more trips, or Christmas for the orphanage....

I know the chapels are collecting. Ivey just called and asked about things like slinkies, hackey sacks etc. Great ideas, aren't they?

Mom called and the high school she is working at is interested in helping out. They are working the channels - there stuff may not arrive by the 10th but I told them that I know MIKE and whatever arrives will be given out.

Renee's daughter is taking it on - did you say as a girl scout project?

We have been collecting a bag of toys anyway and so will be getting some boxes together.

This is AWESOME!

Debbie - thank you for blessing others...and for making it easy for the troops to be a blessing as they are away from family.

Renee said...

DeEtta,
Madeleine attends an English language international high school that requires service hours. She has most of her hours at the chapel (which is community) but she also needs international hours (so we figure this counts as international). Last night she typed up a letter asking for small toys and religious books. I emailed it to the Catholic community here in Garmisch and then I sent it to my friend Miki and she will send it to the Protestant community. I imagine we'll have a few boxes heading Mike's way