About a month ago, our adopted soldier asked that instead of sending care packages to him, could I ask my friends and family to gather shoes that he and his unit could distribute to the Iraqi children.

In his email he said that so many of the children don't have any shoes and their feet are cracked, bloody and infected. That about broke my heart into thousands of little pieces and I sent a message to family and friends asking if, rather than taking their kids' gently used shoes to Goodwill, they could give them to me.

I also sent a message to a local radio station, to Ellen, my neighbor's school and my son's school. I sent a pair of Drama Kids' hardly worn sandals as a "test" pair to see if they would be well received since they're not brand new. Sgt. said the people in the villages are rather proud. When he got the package he said they were perfect and he'd let me know once he'd given them out.

I have about 20 pairs of shoes in my garage right now, but I really hoped I'd get a better response from the schools. I've been bummed and mopey and disappointed that I haven't been more successful at the ONE thing Sgt. has asked of me. Then I got an email today that lifted me out of my funk a little.

This is the kind of stuff we don't see enough of on the news. I'm happy someone was successful. I've tried but can't pick out my son's pair. Knowing they are there and will go to a child in need makes me smile.

On a side note, several people have asked how to get involved with adopting a soldier. I received two emails recently from Adopt A US Soldier and for the first time in years there is a surplus of soldiers waiting to be adopted. The weather in Iraq is about to change and fleece blankets, hats and gloves are on the soldiers' most wanted list.

Sincere Thanks

Several people have been really helpful with my 50 State Postcard Drive. I'm overdue in thanking them. I really appreciate you taking up my cause and helping me get the word out. I'm about halfway there! (Read the update here)

Thanks again to everyone who has sent a card. Your messages are so kind. I've enjoyed reading them and know Sgt. will too. THANK YOU!!

Update on 50 State Postcard Drive

***Read the original post here.***
Thank you SO much to everyone who has offered to send a postcard! I really appreciate it. I've gotten a great response but still need more participation.

One of the reason's I decided to do this is because of something Sgt. said to me. I asked him what a typical day is like and many other questions in an effort to get to know him better. This is part of an email that went back and forth:

Me: Is there more we can be doing as citizens to show our support?

Sgt: There is always more, but it's not in the deeds being done it's the amount of people doing them. Hope that makes sense.

Me: No, elaborate, please

Sgt: Like I stated, what you are doing is awesome [adopting a soldier], and let's us know at least some of America cares that we chose to do what we do. So I guess what I'm saying is keep the care packages coming, but get more people involved.

To me some of America isn't good enough. I'd like to see most of America getting involved. And I also know that a lot of people don't support the war here, and that's fine, but at least support the troops. We didn't choose to come here, but we are here, so at least acknowledge that we; the American military; have sacrificed so much for a country we love and support us for that if nothing else.

Well, after reading that I decided care packages weren't enough. If you have friends or family in any of these states please consider passing this along. These are the "taken" states (but the more the merrier, international would be great too!)

The states I still need:
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Illinois
Iowa
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wyoming

**Update 12/10** Only need 28 more!

***Update 10/9*** I now have 20 cards not including duplicates. Keep 'em coming!

***Update 9/23*** I have received 10 postcards so far. People have asked whether they can send a card even though their state is "taken" and the answer is most definitely yes!

Suzanne gave me this address to HippoPost.com where you can upload a photo onto a postcard and THEY will pay the postage. Thanks Suzanne!

Need Your Help!

Last month I signed up with the Adopt A Soldier program. I've been emailing my soldier and sent my first care package a few weeks ago (and forgot to take pictures!)

I've enjoyed getting to know Sgt. R and look forward to building our friendship while he is deployed. I've committed to sending one care package a month. It's not required, just something I feel strongly about.

And here's where you come in (it will only cost a stamp): I'm pretty competitive and want my care packages to be the best. I want Sgt. R to be envied. I think it would be nice to include notes from other people since he and I email pretty regularly.

I'd like to be able to include a few postcards in each of his care packages and hope to get one from each of the 50 states. It can be a joke, a funny website or just a quick hello. If you find a funny/interesting newspaper or magazine article that would be goo too.


They have limited access to TV and Sgt. and his group (squad?) are separated from their main unit and they are BORED.


If you would like to send a postcard to Sgt. R please email me at ADramaticMommy [at] gmail [dot] com and I'll give you my address. I don't know too many people in other states so please pass this around.

This isn't about supporting the war. This is about the men and women who miss their families. Anything from "home" goes a long way in making them feel a little less lonely. Thank you!

PS- Sgt. is originally from Ohio and is a HUGE Buckeye's fan. I hope someone from Ohio represents! (postcard photos from here)

***Read the update here***