So here is something we really enjoyed doing, I mentioned it a couple of weekends ago as one reason we were out running errands.
2nd Man's work was asking for donations for something called the "SINGLE SOLDIER PROJECT". They were asking for either monetary donations or donations of actual items in order to create baskets for single soldiers coming back home after deployment.
For those unfamiliar, before deployment, all of a soldiers belongings are put in storage. When they return home to the barracks, they often don't have access to their personal items for weeks. That means they come home to an empty room, a bed with no sheets, no grooming items, no laundry soap, not even a pillow. So this project creates baskets from donations and each soldier ends up getting a complete basket of items to welcome them home.
Instead of just giving items or money, we decided to just make two complete baskets to donate.
They gave us a list of all the items needed:
We started with a laundry basket, something they need for their laundry and we started filling it with other items from the list...
Paper towels, toilet paper and hand soap...
A loofah sponge, a shower curtain and the rings, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste...
Bath towel, washcloth (I found army green!), 3 piece sheet set (I found a fun set in camo colors), a comfy pillow, razors, shaving cream, body wash/shampoo...
Paper plates, plastic utensils, laundry pods, and snacks (we got assorted crackers, Oreos, etc)...
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| Single Soldier Project Welcome Home Basket |
We filled it all up (times two), tucked in "THANK YOU" cards, and then went to the craft store to buy a roll of basket wrapping plastic to wrap it all up. To finish them off, I got some red, white and blue striped ribbon and tied them off.
We are happy that two soldiers returning home from active duty will feel a little more comfortable after all the time they have spent away.
How very thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteI feel it's so rewarding doing things like that and also fun to shop for such a wonderful cause.
Thanks, it was actually really fun shopping and looking for everything. And yes a great cause indeed!
DeleteThis is such a thoughtful idea. As the parent of two soldiers who served in Iraq I can tell you it will be a godsend to them. Their world is in chaos for a while as they readjust to life back home. That ya'll did two full baskets tells what good people you are. I wish more people had your hearts.
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you for the kind words but more importantly thank your children for their service for our country. I'm glad we could help in a small way and tell them thank you.
DeleteThanks again so much!
The military brings guys home to nothing? Too bad. I am sure they will appreciate all you gave them. No shower curtains? Where are they living? On a base? Private lodging?
ReplyDeleteI know right? Yep, they come home to nothing, at least for a bit, only because their personal items whatever they have, are still in storage. This just saves them from having to go to the store first thing and buy stuff. From what we hear, they share what they can until they get their own stuff. This just makes it a bit easier. This is on a base, in barracks, until they are assigned new housing I believe.
DeleteThat is a fantastic idea! Thankful you let us know about it! The two of you have hearts of gold!
ReplyDeleteYou are too kind. Thank you, we just want to do what we can.
DeleteAs a former soldier, Thank You! Not just because it's nice to have immediate access to things like this, but also because sometimes it feels as though what we do isn't appreciated. I was lucky enough to not have to deploy (apparently being too valuable to our rear detachment), but once I was married, my husband was not so lucky. I stayed at the duty station while he was deployed and I regularly shipped things to his soldiers (he was an NCO) that they needed and I made sure that all of his soldiers without a loved one to return to had what they would need those first couple days. To know that someone was thinking about you, even without knowing you, is something that really helps. Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteWow, THANK YOU for your service, and your husband and everything you and your family and all of your friends in the military have had to go through. We appreciate it!
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeletexx
Thank you. XOXO
DeleteWhat a generous and thoughtful gesture!
ReplyDeleteThanks, we just wanted to help if we could.
DeleteThat is so sweet. Perhaps a lady soldier returning home would love some pink. I'll try to find something like that in Tulsa. I usually contribute to animal charities, Salvation Army and kid's stuff. I think that is a good cause to add to my list.
ReplyDeleteI think you can google "single soldier project" and find more info. We asked about female soldier but on this donation, they were needing them for 35 male soldiers. I think they can tell you so that the list can be adjusted (to female razors for example). Hope you can find a way to do help too. We are going to try to do this more often.
DeleteGreat idea. And so sad that it is needed.
ReplyDeleteThanks and yes, that is sad isn't it? Seems like they could make the wheels move quicker....
DeleteGreat idea.
ReplyDeleteIt really is, we're glad we heard about it.
DeleteI'm a blog fan rarely comment (but read and enjoy every day). For this one I just had to comment. And say thanks. I'm retired military, did ten years. It's exactly what you said (and I think someone asked). When you are single you come home to your barracks until you find housing. Single soldiers are the ones that have this issue because if you are married, then you already have housing and a place to go home to. But single you see soldiers come back to nothing because our personal items are still in storage. It can take a few weeks to get it all back. You can find a pillow or blankets by trading and bartering or finding some extras but no one gives up the good stuff, haha.
ReplyDeleteYou two are wonderful for doing this. Trust me when I say, you will make two soldiers VERY happy. By the way, those are some nicely put together baskets too.
Good for you both!
Now back to lurking mode, haha.
WELL HELLO!!!! We always like to hear from the lurkers too, ha. First, as was said for others above, we want to make sure we thank you for your service. We appreciate you and all you've done. And thanks so much for the inside info. Glad to know firsthand how much it helps. Thanks for the kind words!
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea and what a thoughtful thing you two did. You both have such beautiful hearts.
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks!
DeleteGod Bless You both!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell thank you for that!!
DeleteWhat a wonderful thing to do! Where do you take the baskets? How do the guys get them? Do you know if this is done in other states?
ReplyDeleteIt is done around the country from what I've heard. Now we knew about it because 2nd Man's work is involved in several charity programs and they sent the info out on this. He just took them to work and they were transporting them to the Unit. I'll have to see if I can get some info.
DeleteI always like giving items over giving money. It makes me feel more involved. You guys chose good items for your basket.
ReplyDeleteYou know there is a certain sense of accomplishment when you give items. We donated a lot of things for Harvey relief. Thanks for the kind words!
DeleteLove, love, love the idea. Looks stunning :D
ReplyDeleteThey have a similar type of thing here called the Secret Santa Shoebox - where everyone makes up a shoebox of goodies (list provided) for underprivileged kids to open at Christmastime.
Just a quick one - if (and I repeat IF) you do this again, can you rather not see if you can find the least plastic items possible e.g. plastic utensils (rather see if you can find some basic stainless steel or bamboo ones) and wrap the basket in a towel instead of the singel use celophane? Too, too much plastic floats around our planet already :(
Hey sweet Dani!!! I love that idea too of the secret Santa for underprivileged kids. How nice it must be for them on Christmas Day to get some gifts.
DeleteAnd you know, in my fervor to get items, I totally forgot to look for those recyclable/reusable items. Heck we have bamboo utensils here at the apartment.
Dang it, you have reminded me (and indeed all of us) to look for those options when we can. Thank you!!!
1st Man,
ReplyDeleteThank you both for supporting our troops. God bless you!
Thanks, and thank your family for their service as well!!
Deletejust great thing to do, your american are ways before us in this kind of things, but we are learning and just now we are knitting and crocheting for children in Kurdistan and Syria here in Sweden. God bless you both. Jaana ps. love you blog
ReplyDeleteHi there!!! Thank you so much for the kind words. And wow, what a great thing you are doing for the children of Kurdistan and Syria. Such hardship over there and trauma they've been through, welcome gifts indeed!!! Thank you and God bless YOU!
DeleteI love this! I am a quilter and have given quilts, but this is so very practical and must give a returning serviceman wonderful peace of mind.... they give so much.
ReplyDeleteAwesome I bet quilts are MUCH appreciated. Wonderful tide too. Thanks for that. They do give so much, indeed more than many of us ever will. It's only right to pay it back in small ways. Thank you for what you do too!
DeleteThat's really awesome and I'd love to do one! I can't seem to find anything online though, other than some pictures for it, with no contact information or anything. Any chance you could find more? Thanks so much for doing this and for letting us know about it. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. Hmm, that's interesting. Let me do some checking, I'll see if I can find out fro 2nd Man's company how they found out about it and how it was coordinated. It might take a few days but I'll see what I can find out!!
DeleteThanks! That would be great :)
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