Four weeks ago I came here and asked my fellow Kossacks to open their hearts and wallets so Blogging for Michigan could send care packages to Michigan soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
You responded generously and I want to say thank you. And as promised that evening, I have pictures too.
Our story began with inspiration right here from teh orange. Both kath25 and Ninepatch blogged extensively asking our dKos community to send items to our troops. That's where we got the idea.
We used their suggestion to get the names of soldiers and lists of items they need from anysoldier.com.
We went out and enlisted some local help too. We partnered with:
- employees at the General Motors Truck and Bus plant in Flint;
- UAW Local 598;
- Lansing area talk show host Walt Song of AM 1320 who interviewed our bloggers several times to discuss the program; and
- Tri-City Local which covers community news for the mid-Michigan communities of Saginaw, Bay City and Midland has also been collecting goods and donations.
We are happy to report that when all was said and done we raised $5150 in cash and received approximately $2200 in merchandise and gifts. Every penny of the cash went towards the purchase of more goods and their shipping. 51 boxes - more than a van full - went to the post office on Monday December 10.
Along the way we had some wonderful surprises and were overwhelmed with the generousity of the people around us. Many donations came to us in one and five dollar bills as someone walked up and down the line at Truck & Bus with a jar, some came from friends and colleagues who called, or emailed and said they wanted to make sure we met our goal. Merchants contacted us and contributed specialty items such as coffee and tea. Best of all, two fifth grade classes at Bangor Lincoln Elementary School in Bay City, MI hand made Christmas cards to put in the boxes.
Now for a few pictures...
The beautiful hand made cards
The generousity of General Motors Truck & Bus plant in Flint and UAW local 598
We shopped
Transporting and storing that much stuff was no small feat
A hat tip to Cadillac Coffee in Madison Heights for the four boxes of coffee, tea, filters and other supplies they donated
Another hat tip to the donor who dropped off an entire Beanie Baby collection for children in Afghanistan
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Everything needed to be packed. 51 boxes is a lot of stuff...
And finally, the trip to the post office
The soldiers have begun sending thank you notes
Wow !!!! Thank you so very much me and my section were so over whelmed by all the snacks you all sent us... With all the food we are receiving we will be ever so lucky when it starts raining that we can eat here rather than brave all the mud and rocks... We really appreciate all the support we receive from home... You get a real good feeling knowing that people back home are behind you and supporting you. It really makes me proud.
Once again, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We know that all 12 Michigan units that received packages thank you too.
All best for a wonderful holiday my friends.