Help us support American soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and other overseas posts!
Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas
- A charity sending care packages of food, gifts, clothing, toiletries, movies, toys for local kids, medical supplies and other donations to American soldiers and troops serving in the United States Armed Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Mideast!
How can you help USA soldiers in Iraq and the Middle East thru our nonprofit?
1) Donate Financially - We use cash donations to pay for mailing costs and to purchase items requested by American soldiers overseas.
We can accept checks made payable to Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas, P.O. Box 116691, Carrollton, Texas 75011 USA.
Or you can donate to our account via credit card: We are registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charity, so your qualifying gifts are tax deductible.
2) Donate Products - We warehouse the donated goods in our homes in the Dallas, Texas area, so we kindly request that you discuss the suitability of your items and the shipping details before making any shipments. -------------------------------------------------------------------------
We started out sending care packages to American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan in January of 2005. Our small group of ladies in the Dallas area has grown to about 50 active members (all unpaid volunteers), and we continue to get requests from our soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Mideast.
We receive donated goods and financial donations from our supporters all across the USA. Every gift is greatly appreciated by us and by the soldiers overseas.
Our care packages are sent year round to soldiers from all 50 states in all branches of the military. We try to concentrate our efforts on troops on the frontlines and in remote areas.
Every care package shipment is addressed to a specific soldier, and we always have more requests than we can supply.
Even the simplest items (lip balm, suntan lotion, batteries, coffee, deodorant, air fresheners, snacks, candy, etc.) really brighten the lives of the soldiers, and give them a little reminder of love and support from home.
But just as remarkable is to find so many American soldiers requesting items (school supplies, toys, shoes, first aid supplies, candy, clothing, etc.) they can give to the local kids and families and community organizations (schools, etc.) in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We shipped about 3,000 cartons of donated goods in 2009 and funding for postage has always been our greatest need. Some of the items shipped in 2009 include 5,000 lip balm, 10,000 phone cards, 26,000 Girl Scout Cookie boxes, 18,000+ candy bars, 1,000 cool ties, 200 sheet sets, etc.
I got your packages the other day and meant to say thank you but we have been swamped with work, 12 plus hours a day 7 days a week. Again thank you for all you do for all the folks over here. Robert -----------
Thank you very much. We have just received the last of the 53 boxes that you have so graciously provided us. I cannot tell you how much they help the morale of the hundreds of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines here.
Once again thank you for all that you and your team do for us. It has been my honor to help such a great organization make such a great impact. Thank You JD
... stationed here in Afghan. First of all I would like to thank all of you back home for the support and care packages you send, and God Bless you all. My command is one of a kind.
We are known as SeaBees or CB (Latin Construimus Batuimus) or otherwise Construction Battalion. Our community is one of the smallest, we are associated with the navy and are building a large chunk of the support and defensive structures throughout this area, we've also been to other places in support of aiding natural disaster victims like the most recent in Haiti and war torn countries.
But this is not about us but rather you and your supporters I'm pretty sure you receive many messages of thanks so please treat this the same on behalf of myself, my staff, and others THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ... Like your prayers to us we pray for you to all Please be safe and take care.
Perry ---------------
I just wanted to thank you all again for the tremendous amount of morale support you guys provided us during this deployment! I meant to write back and let you know that we should be on our way home very soon!
... on behalf of all the guys at FOB Cobra I would like to say thank you again because I know how much it helped those soldiers to know people back home were looking out for them and sending them love and support through those care packages!
Jerry -------------------
The boxes have been well received every where we have sent them. You guys are the best and I consider it an honor to be a part of your conduit to the troops.
Special requests! Hummm! They tend to be thankful for the things received unasked for as it is, kind of like the ole saying, "don't kick a gift horse in the butt".
Ms. Carter and the members of Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas,
I am writing to express and convey the heartfelt gratitude that each and every one of the over 600 Sailors experienced when we received your package of Girl Scout cookies. Many of our Sailors are on their very first deployment, and most of the rest are on their second consecutive tour in Afghanistan. It means so much to them to receive these packages from home.
They are learning quickly that many of little things from the United States that they took for granted are the very things that make our country the best place in the world to live and work.
Please know that each and every day, your important work is touching and improving the lives of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines as they put themselves in harm's way at the call of their country.
Below are some photos of our flag presentations to local donors. The flags were flown on military missions by American helicopter pilots in Afghanistan. The flags were presented to Aerus Holdings; Daisy Brand; Curtain, Wall Design and Consulting; Watt Spohn Universal; Spectrum Management; and students from Fisher Elementary.
Over a week ago, we sent 102 large boxes, each filled with 28 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, one lb. of coffee, water balloons, playing cards, DVD, microwavable popcorn, phone cards and letters to our adopted units. They, in turn, took many of those boxes and pushed them out to soldiers serving in remote bases increasing our reach to over 12,000 soldiers. We still have over 300 more large boxes of cookies waiting to be shipped out but first must raise the funds for postage. Please consider assisting us in this worthy endeavor. Your contribution is tax deductible and 100% of our funds goes toward either shipping or the purchase of goods that the soldier's request.
Here is one of the replies from a recipient...
Ms. Carter and the members of Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas,
I am writing to express and convey the heartfelt gratitude that each and every one of the over 600 Sailors at NMCB-5 experienced when we received your package of Girl Scout cookies. Many of our Sailors are on their very first deployment, and most of the rest are on their second consecutive tour in Afghanistan. It means so much to them to receive these packages from home. They are learning quickly that many of little things from the United States that they took for granted are the very things that make our country the best place in the world to live and work.
Please know that each and every day, your important work is touching and improving the lives of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines as they put themselves in harm's way at the call of their country.
CW October 2009 News Story on Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas:
-------------------------------------------------------------- October 2009 email from Afghanistan:
To the gracious members of the Airborne Angel Cadets,
My name is Staff Sergeant M.G. and I am a Soldier of one of the many Army platoons that you support. I am a squad leader of 9 men which is part of a 31 man platoon. Our number one mission is to do route clearance for any coalition force that needs to leave the FOB to go to another area of Afghanistan.
As you know that the number one threat in country both here and in Iraq are roadside bombs. As Combat Engineers, our sole purpose is to find those bombs so they do not kill coalition forces or disrupt the free mobility of our troops as well as the people of Afghanistan. It is a slow and nerve racking job, but it is worth it knowing that we do our part in keeping soldiers safe as well as the people.
Our actions also frustrates the enemy and we are defeating them from replacing these bombs to hurt their own people. It is a career that does not get recognized enough. As of now we have accumulated over 3100km of road and we have put in over 2200 man hours of missions. As well, we have conducted 47 combat missions since we have been in country. To think, we have only been here for 3 months.
The soldiers in my platoon come from all parts of the country. Some young, some old. Some who are single and some who have been married for 15 years with 4 kids. Some with degrees and some who just got their GED?s. Some who are short and some who are tall. But all in all, we are now brothers in arms and we are family until we get back to our own.
We stick up for each other and we constantly look out for one another during missions. Those of the soldiers who are young, they have grown up to be men with courage in their hearts. Those who are old have been rejuvenated by the young and eager to push forth and engage the enemy if needed. However, like most families, we argue and we see some things differently. But when it comes to the life of another, we are all on the same page. We love one another and we love our country. We know the importance of what we are doing and how it plays in the bigger picture of freedom.
However at times, it is hard to see that picture when it is 120 degrees outside or when it drops to -20. It is hard to see that picture when you hear of a soldier who has been killed. It is hard to see that picture when you have family members who do not support your actions or when you see on television how people ridicule soldiers as they return from a deployment.
But, all those images are washed away when you see that other soldier to your left and right helping you up when you are down. When you hear the voice of your child on the other end of the line telling you that they are proud of you. When you see thousands of people in stadiums singing the National Anthem.
When you receive care packages from complete strangers who you know took time out of their lives to put something together for another complete stranger. That is when we know that what we are doing here is for not us, but for the people back home that rely on us to keep them free and safe so they can enjoy the freedoms of our country without having to fear of intruders.
I come to you to say Thank You for supporting us and helping us to wash those images away from our minds so that we can continue doing what we are doing until we come home. We cannot express to you our gratitude over a letter or even over the phone. Even our own families say thank you. But if we could, we would give y'all a huge hug, and being from Texas myself, we would have to have a Bar-B-Que and a cold one to express our thanks. To the members, the volunteers, to the little ones who come out to pack, and to the businesses who donated these items, we salute you! HOORAH!
Country singer Toby Keith with some of our care package recipients overseas. Local NBC News special on Airborne Angel Cadets:
QUICK FACTS:
* We operate year round and send care packages every month of the year. * We are based in Texas, but send packages to soldiers of all States. * We do not concentrate our support on one particular platoon, but send support to many soldiers in different countries and in different branches of the service. * We try to concentrate our efforts on soldiers serving on the frontlines or forward operating bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. * We welcome support from any American in any State.
A few of our supporters:
Wells Fargo Foothill
Dunkin Donuts
Zipfizz
Perfetti Van Melle Candy Co.
Aerus
Lattner Family Foundation, Inc.
Boston University Medical Group
Jarvis Press
Curtain Wall Design & Consulting, Inc.
Zang Lawn & Landscaping
Dr. Norman Lyster
Citi Commercial Business Group
ATMOS Energy Corp.
Low Back Specialists, Katy, TX Applause Specialty Items, Euless, TX
San Mar
Walgreens
Starbucks, Bellevue WA. area stores
Jim Harris
Steven Boorum
Keene Promotions
Clark Construction Group, Bethesda, MD
Fisher Elementary, Frisco, TX
Westridge MS, Austin, TX
Smithfield MS, North Richland Hills, TX
Lewisville Boy Scout Troop 62 Avondale Schools, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Robinson's Photography Inc.
Mobile Granstands & Stages, Inc.
Elko Union Church
Lincoln Property Co.
Dallas Derby Devils
Crossroads Winery
JC Penney Corporate Office Staff
DFW area Girl Scout troops
Women's Club of Castle Hills
Watt-Spohn Universal
Missions Companies
Tailwind International
Gourmet Gift Baskets
Central Wholesale Plumbing & Supply
* Select photos above are courtesy of the United States Department of Defense.
How can you help USA soldiers in Iraq and the Middle East thru our nonprofit? 
Even the simplest items (lip balm, suntan lotion, batteries, coffee, deodorant, air fresheners, snacks, candy, etc.) really brighten the lives of the soldiers, and give them a little reminder of love and support from home. 
