First, a word from my assistant.  My office gave money to the Readers and Book Lovers NFTT group challenge.  In the process, I found out that my assistant Sylvia's nephew was in Afghanistan.  So, I contacted the NFTT team, and 25 boxes are going out to her nephew and his unit.

After our effort ended, I sent a thank you note out to my office (several colleagues donated), and then Sylvia sent the following note to the office:

In an effort to piggy back on the message from [aravir] below, I would like also to thank everyone for your monetary support in this very special fund raiser to help show our troops how much we appreciate what they are doing for our country.  I know my nephew Sgt. Jerome Jones( aka Romey), and the rest of the troop members  will be absolutely thrilled to receive the packages.  It is and has been a very trying as well as frightening experience for them, especially now, serving in Afghanistan, and soon to be going to Germany.  My family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts.  It means so much to us.  God bless you and God bless America!!  THANK YOU!

Folks, I know times are tough for a lot of us.  Nevertheless, this is a good and worthy cause.

So, this is what I propose:

Let's make a birthday contribution to NFTT.  So, donate $9, and add the notation "Happy Birthday Daily Kos!".  Now, it could be that you are going to Netroots Nation in a couple of weeks.  If so, donate $10, and add the notation "And One to Grow On!"

This is the final push.  The last day to donate is Memorial Day.  We still are in the position that we will likely ship fewer boxes this year than last year.  Let's see if we can't overcome that obstacle.

So, follow me over to the NFTT donation site, and give.

Aunt Sylvia, Romey and all of his friends thank you.