Trust me, you'll be thanking US by the time you're done
UPDATE: bjedwards is now matching donations up to $250. Please give, even if it's only a small amount.
Yes, yes, yes. It's that time again. Time for the awesomeness that is Netroots for the Troops®.
You've been reading some pretty heartfelt NFTT posts this week. I wrote one of my own back in February called "Nobody Understands".
This is not one of those posts.
In this post, I shall ask you for your money and your time. In return, I promise you an experience that you will cherish and remember for the rest of your life.
Netroots for the Troops is, as I have said before, something that "takes 364 days and 23 and half hours to get ready for and 33 minutes to make happen." Part of that 364 days and 23 and half hours is raising the funds needed to purchase the items for our CARE packages and then putting the logistics in place to pull off the 33-Minute Miracle.
Here's what we started with last year [all images courtesy of kayakbiker, used with permission]:
This is what we do with it:
jlms_qkw on the left, Jonathan Tasini on the right.
Common Sense Mariner and texasmom front and center
Here's video of the process:
None of this happens without YOU.
Last year, I was honored to be Chief Pootie & Woozle Herder (aka volunteer coordinator) for the NFTT effort. It's an important role because, as we all know, without close supervision, pooties and woozles can get into mischief.
In fact, last year while my back was turned, we almost lost Netroots for the Troops Fearless Leader and Chief TexDem to Bill in Portland Maine who Darth Vadered him when I wasn't looking:
So, in addition to making a generous donation to the cause (Team Eclectablog has a $1,500 goal), I need pooties and woozles VOLUNTEERS! If you can help during the 2012 Netroots Nation, I need to hear from you. We need volunteers to:
- Staff the booth
- Assemble boxes
- Help with set-up for the 33-Minute Miracle
- Fill CARE package boxes during the 33-minute Miracle
- Generally help with any emergencies that pop-up during the week
If you can help, please email me at eclectablog@gmail.com. I will be putting up a Google Spreadsheet soon so that we can begin to assign folks to shifts but I need to begin hearing from you NOW.
One more thing: Want to be an assistant Pootie and Woozle Herder? I need a couple of assistants. If that's something you'd be interested in, please let me know.
For more pictures of last year's event and the dramatic story of our Fearless Leader TexDem's emergency trip to the hospital and emergency surgery immediately following Netroots Nation 2011, check out my recap post from last year HERE.
Netroots For The Troops
Netroots For The Troops® is raising funds to send Care Packages to our soldiers stationed overseas.
We are asking all of you to support our efforts and, also, to make a contribution for this worthwhile cause.
Over the years, many soldiers have sent letters to express their appreciation for these Care Packages and even posted thanks at Daily Kos
It was in the middle six months of my assignment in Afghanistan that the packages started arriving. I received an array of things from them… letters, candy, toothpaste, floss, baby wipes, razors, food, socks, books, dvd’s. The list could go on and on. It was amazing. Netroots for the Troops was always there... The packages were a reminder that our country knows about our fight. Every day, because of their support, I knew that if it was going to be my last day, I would be remembered and I would be honored.
Please make a donation to Team Eclectablog HERE. Thank you from the entire 2012 NFTT Team.
Netroots For The Troops® is a project of Netroots for the Troops, Inc., a Virginia non-profit corporation. The organization raises money for the assembly, mailing and delivery of Care Packages to American military in war zones and to provide assistance to military families in the United States. Netroots For The Troops, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.
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The NFTT diaries are a way for the Daily Kos community to support the troops in Afghanistan. We send them packages of items they might not otherwise receive through the normal military process but that they find useful. This is a non-political diary. While we understand there are differing views on the wars and the warriors, the site gives plenty of opportunity to express those views elsewhere. Furthermore, we would hope that users do not engage with those that attempt to hijack or otherwise disrupt these diaries.
We appreciate your understanding and support. Thanks!