Winter 2006-07
“I just want to thank all the people and organizations that support us. The response has been encouraging and welcome. Sometimes all it takes is a simple ‘thank you’ or ‘we care’ to make it through the next day.”
-SSG “Nova,” Army, Copperas Cove, Tex.
Jeanette Cram is a certifiable crumb.
You may have seen her on The Martha Stewart Show or read about her in Good Housekeeping, but the first place to look for Jeanette is in her kitchen. She is known around the world as the “Cookie Lady” and has been baking homemade goodies for soldiers on the front lines since the Gulf War in 1990.
Some 145,000 cookies later, Jeanette laughs and says, “The reason it has gone on for so long is because I have a big mouth and two ovens.”
Through TreatTheTroops.org, Jeanette can help you organize your own cookie bakes for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. “We are always looking for ‘crumbs,’ or people who bake for us,” she says. “We have them all over the country.”
Everyday people like Jeanette Cram are making a huge difference in the lives of our military men and women serving in harm’s way.
Gladys Walker, founder of “Have a Heart/Adopt A Soldier,” had a son stationed in Afghanistan in 2002 and regularly sent him care packages. He asked her to send more so he could share with the guys who never got a letter in the mail.
“The idea that these poor boys thought that no one cared if they lived or died broke my heart,” she remembers. “I knew we had to do something.”
She sent 12 parcels during the first month. Gladys’ group since has mailed more than 3,600 care packages and continues to grow, staffed completely by volunteers. Find out how to join them at USAHelp.us.
How can you “do something?” You can begin in your own backyard. Ask around for the names and addresses of family members and friends stationed overseas. Find out about a friend of a son, daughter, father or mother who has little contact from those in the U.S. Communities can adopt a military member and send notes and care packages. When six months stretches into 18 and your letters keep coming, sometimes you provide the primary lifeline of hope to a lonely soldier, sailor, airman or Marine.
When my husband Bob was away on long deployments, he spent many days apart from family and church fellowship. “There were constant temptations and opportunities to compromise my moral character,” he recalls.
It’s still a struggle for soldiers to stay faithful to core values. You can help cultivate this character by creating a service member’s “Wish Book.” Be creative, construct your “wishes” – perhaps these, or some of your own – and mail the items to your adopted service member:
- I Wish For You… the Courage to Laugh With Friends (a funny card or humor book, or share a family anecdote)
- I Wish for You… the Courage to Cherish Memories (a personalized family photo)
- I Wish for You… the Courage to Keep in Touch (a phone card)
- I Wish for You… the Courage to Be Wise (a favorite book)
- I Wish for You… the Courage to Be Cool and Fresh (mints)
Approach your child’s teacher, Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop, or after-school club about sponsoring a different military member each month. In English class, the children can write letters; in art class, they can draw pictures; and the Scouts can create care packages. When your child experiences the blessing of caring in community with others, it can teach lessons in altruism that will last a lifetime.
Be sure to get instructions for shipment before sending care packages so that all regulations are followed. Some of the care packages might include:
Toiletry Pack: shaving cream, disposable razors, wet wipes, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, q-tips, shampoo, lotion, bug repellent, foot powder, socks.
Food Pack: pre-sweetened drink mix, slim jims or jerky, granola bars, power bars, bag of candy (non-chocolate), gum, canned soup, canned fruit, fruit snacks, nuts, trail mix.
Smart Pack: books of all kinds, crossword puzzles, stationary, stamps, phone cards, online gift certificates, fact books.
“I don’t have the words to express my thanks and gratitude to all those folks that shake my hand and offer their prayers. Just know that what I do, I do for you, for my family and for the United States. Please continue to support us!”
-SRA “John,” USAF, Arlington, Va.
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Ellie Kay is an author, radio/TV commentator and motivational speaker at military events. Her newest book is “The Debt Diet” (Bethany House Publishers, 2005). She is the wife of a fighter pilot and mother of seven children. To receive Ellie’s free newsletter, browse money-saving tips or invite her to speak at your military base, visit www.elliekay.com.