Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas: December 2010 - Charity sending care packages to American soldiers

How can you help send care packages to the soldiers?

1) Donate Financially - Our greatest need is usually cash to pay for the mailing costs of care packages, and also to buy items for our soldiers. We are registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charity, so your qualifying gifts are tax deductible. 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:

2) Donate Goods - Many companies and civic groups host their own collection drives and fundraising events in cooperation with our efforts. Individuals and companies also donate goods for our soldiers. Because our goods are warehoused in our homes and in various donated office and warehouse spaces in the Dallas, Texas area, we kindly request that you contact us before sending any goods.

Troop Levels

What will be the future US troops levels?

U.S. Troops in Afghanistan:
Summer, 2012 - 88,000 troops
Sept. 30, 2012 - 65,000 troops
2013 through 2014 - Undetermined

President Obama would like to pull all US troops out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014, but a contingent could stay longer.

U.S. Troops in Iraq:
A small contingent of soldiers are protecting the Embassy in Baghdad and other critical interests.

Other US Troops in the Region:
Slightly over 10,000 troops are estimated to be in Kuwait. Other troops are in Turkey, Bahrain, and Qatar. US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta mentioned, in late 2011, that the US would have 40,000 troops in the Gulf following the withdrawal from Iraq. .

12/30/2010

Iraq Christmas Party

Here are some great photos showing soldiers enjoying some of our Christmas care package goodies.

Christmas lights from soldiers in Afghanistan

Here are some wonderful 2010 Christmas photos from one of our soldier contacts in Afghanistan.

Twas the Night Before Christmas - DOD

12/06/2010

More soldier responses to our care packages

Below are more messages just received from our soldiers overseas:

Hello Angels,
I am currently working with the ... MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation program) and would like to know if it would be possible to receive some care packages for the troops. We are looking for hygiene items, snacks, Holiday cards, white socks, blankets. Some of our troops do not receive care packages and this would really help them with items that they need. Right now we currently have about 25% female and 75% male on base. We really appreciate everything that Airborne Angel Cadets have done for the troops! Thank you very much.
Amy, Afghanistan
----------------

We received your boxes. Thank you. I wanted to ask you about cooking seasonings and such. There are American civilian women here who want to cook for us for Christmas, but the AAFES here do not have much. We were looking for Jiffy Corn Bread mix (or something similar) in those small boxes, some sage, poultry seasonings, cinnamon nutmeg and fish fry seasoning and fish fry cornmeal (I just hope these women can cook). I hope these are not expensive.
SSG Ricky
-----------

Thank you so much for the box full of coffee and cookies. It means the world to us and all the Soldiers that receive things from the United States and our great nation. Just knowing that people still support us makes all the difference in the world. The items you packed us have already been put to use and the calling cards are being used as well to call loved ones.

I was stationed in Texas for almost 9 years at Ft. Hood near Killeen. I miss Texas at times we are with the 25th Infantry Division based out of Hawaii. We are a Maintenance unit that basically fixes anything and everything that the Brigade we are with needs repaired or fixed. Once again thanks for all the goodies and a little home sent over here to us. We love ya'll.
Michael
-------------

Updates on Christmas mailings

Over 50 people showed up at our main Christmas packing party at Brookhaven Country Club. We packed a record 252 boxes in one evening.

The next morning we made a run to the local post office and shipped 324 cartons (72 packed prior to the main packing party) to our soldiers overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq. Total mailing costs were a bit under $5,000, and our greatest need continues to be funds for postage costs.

After mailing the above, we also mailed an additional 700 larger Christmas stockings in 62 large boxes. Items in this shipment included black beanie hats, Santa hats, mini-stockings and assorted Christmas decorations for a MWR (morale, welfare and recreation) office in Aghanistan.

In a third mailing, another 82 boxes were shipped that included mini-stockings and phone cards.

Including additional small shipments we made to specific units, 506 boxes were shipped to arrive this Christmas season in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Thanks to all who helped us send our care packages to American soldiers.

Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas

How can you help send care packages to the soldiers?