We all know that being away from loved ones for long periods of time is tough. One of the few great pleasures that our heros in Iraq and Afghanistan have is to have the ability to talk to their families by phone. But the calls are not free. Earlier this year we contacted the "Cell phones for soldiers" program that allows people to recycle old phones for calling cards. We asked for some cards that could go into the packages we planned to send for Christmas. We didn't hear back from them, so we assumed it was a bust.
Lo-and-behold, a box arrives at our mailbox last week via US mail. Inside were 675 one hundred minute(100) AT&T calling cards. The return address on the box was from "Cell Phones for Soldiers" but there was no letter, business card, or any other acknowledgement inside. Just the phone cards. Because of their blessings to us, we will be able to bless 675 lonely soldiers and their families with voices of their loved ones for Christmas.
We are looking into the opportunities for us to collect old cell phones among our group and donors. This may, perhaps, allow us to get even more calling cards for our heros.
Thank you "Cell Phones for Soldiers" for this wonderful program!!
10/06/2008
Huge contribution
The other day we received a small envelope in the mail addressed to Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas. As we periodically get donations and questions from good hearted and patriotic citizens, we were thankful, but did not see it as unusual. It was placed in a stack with other mail to be opened when time permitted.
Later, when Nancy picked up the stack of mail, the small gray envelope fell out onto the table. She picked it up, noticing the lack of a return address, and opened it. After pulling out the contents, she stared at them for a moment, then, with tears in her eyes, handed them to me. I looked at them, and was instantly reminded of the reasons we do this, and of the great blessings that God has bestowed on all of us.
In the envelope was a card and two 1$ (one dollar) bills! Written on the card, in the halting handwriting I recognized as being a result of many years of life experiences:
“ Thanks for helping our troops. On a limited budget this is all I can send at this time. May God bless you.”
It was signed simply “T.B.”
The imagery this simple deed evoked in Nancy and myself, of a senior living on a limited fixed income where every cent is precious, because it may be the difference in missing a meal or buying needed medication, was indeed thought provoking. I am reminded of the lesson verses in the bible that hold such power that they are repeated twice in different books. Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4.
Too often we are so busy with our lives that we forget how truly blessed we are. We carve out and give a small part of our time, energy, and money to bless others. This is tremendous because so many others give nothing.
We have been truly blessed to receive much in donations. Up to $5000 from one corporation and a charitable foundation, and a $15,000 single gift from a conscientious family. This has allowed us to bless and support many more of the heroes who stand ready to defend us with their lives.
So, Thank You, T.B. in Irving, Texas for the tremendous fortune that your contribution is to us. And for reminding us that we cannot do anything for God that we are not willing to do for one another.
Freedom Doesn’t Come Free.
Later, when Nancy picked up the stack of mail, the small gray envelope fell out onto the table. She picked it up, noticing the lack of a return address, and opened it. After pulling out the contents, she stared at them for a moment, then, with tears in her eyes, handed them to me. I looked at them, and was instantly reminded of the reasons we do this, and of the great blessings that God has bestowed on all of us.
In the envelope was a card and two 1$ (one dollar) bills! Written on the card, in the halting handwriting I recognized as being a result of many years of life experiences:
“ Thanks for helping our troops. On a limited budget this is all I can send at this time. May God bless you.”
It was signed simply “T.B.”
The imagery this simple deed evoked in Nancy and myself, of a senior living on a limited fixed income where every cent is precious, because it may be the difference in missing a meal or buying needed medication, was indeed thought provoking. I am reminded of the lesson verses in the bible that hold such power that they are repeated twice in different books. Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4.
Too often we are so busy with our lives that we forget how truly blessed we are. We carve out and give a small part of our time, energy, and money to bless others. This is tremendous because so many others give nothing.
We have been truly blessed to receive much in donations. Up to $5000 from one corporation and a charitable foundation, and a $15,000 single gift from a conscientious family. This has allowed us to bless and support many more of the heroes who stand ready to defend us with their lives.
So, Thank You, T.B. in Irving, Texas for the tremendous fortune that your contribution is to us. And for reminding us that we cannot do anything for God that we are not willing to do for one another.
Freedom Doesn’t Come Free.
Frank Carter
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