Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas

Results of Kroger Memorial Day Collection Drive

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Sun, 27 May 2012 16:49:00 +0000

We met a lot of great folks at our Carrollton, Texas Kroger collection drive on Saturday, May 26, 2012, and collected about 90 large boxes of donated goods along with cash donations for the troops. A big thanks to Kroger, our Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas volunteers, and the wonderful customers that donated items for our soldiers' care packages. Most all of the donations will be mailed to Afghanistan in our next packing party in June.

Janet Kates, Kroger Manager

Shelly and JoAnn

Lydia

Jimmy, Nancy, Amber, Thonmas

Bill and Shelly

Peggy

Sherry

Walt

Wonderful sewing volunteers

Cindy

Jimmy & Douglass

Goods Collection Drive at Carrollton Kroger

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:37:00 +0000

You are invited to our Collection Drive at the Carrollton, TX Kroger supermarket (Old Denton Rd at Hebron Parkway) on Saturday, May 26 from 9 AM to 8 PM.

On this Memorial Day weekend, we will be collecting goods for our summer shipments of care packages to soldiers overseas (mainly in Afghanistan).

A donation of even one item for the troops would be greatly appreciated. We will have a list of suggested items at the door. Or you can round up some items from home and drop them off.

Some of the items we could use are ground coffee, DVD's, video games, ramen noodles, powdered drink mixes, beef jerky, peanut butter, deodorant, foot powder, nuts, adult/baby wipes, and all types of snacks.

Pilot thanking Airborne Angel Cadets

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:21:00 +0000

On this Memorial Day weekend, we thank the brave American troops, past and present, for your service and sacrifice!

Zipfizz donates to the troops

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:28:00 +0000

Thank you Zipfizz Corporation for another generous donation. The 10,000 Zipfizz and 10,000 Immune Fizz for our care packages will be welcomed by our soldiers overseas. "Zipfizz is an all-natural, great tasting energy drink-mix powder that delivers a powerful charge of micronutrients to the body's fuel system."

More care package responses from our soldiers in Afghanistan

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:22:00 +0000

Messages from the soldiers in Afghanistan receiving our care packages (click to enlarge images):

"We just received 13 out of the 23 boxes that you sent out and let me tell ya, my guys were in shock to see how much you guys sent for us. We're all blown away by your generosity. Thank you soooooo much for everything. I can't express to you how much this means to my men and I. We look forward to handing out the things to the kids starting first thing tommarrow. Thank you again and God Bless"

American soldiers still in Iraq

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:22:00 +0000

Below is a portion of a recent message from a US soldier reminding us that we still have American troops in Iraq.

Hello and good morning Nancy. Unfortunately for us, America does believe that we are out of Iraq; our mission has changed, but we are still here. We are a small group here (Iraq), but we will be here for almost a year.

... I have a total of 16 Active Duty Navy personnel and there are a few hundred other employees such as contractors and a few Government employees.

As far as living conditions, we are confined to a very small compound. We do have running water, but not running/drinking water. We have to use bottled water to brush our teeth, etc. We do have a PX here that sells the basic needs items, but just receiving mail keeps us reminded of home and 'why' we are here. I'm not sure what your organization has, but things like mouthwash, soap, baby wipes, toothpaste are common items that we need, and of course if you would like to share coffee and M&Ms we would take that sort of stuff too :) Thank you for any and all consideration.

P.S. Happy Mother's Day

Soldiers care package messages - May 2012

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:49:00 +0000

Below are some recent messages from our American soldiers overseas receiving our care packages. Some of the requested items include DVD's, personal hygiene items, tennis shoes, curtains and cords, Mach 3 razors, non-breakable decorations, cleaning cloths, sponges and Little Debbie snacks.
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Nancy,
Sorry it's been awhile. Just got back from a huge battlefield circulation and little to no connectivity out there ... We will still be in country for a while it is a long turnover. The pinata was great! A true Texan smashed it.
Thanks, Zach
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You have no idea how much my guys will appreciate all of your help. It's a blessing to us all that there are people like you that show the gratitude that you do. Please tell everyone involved that we are so very appreciative of all you do. Thank you again and GOD BLESS

... I asked around to our guys here if they have any requests. They mentioned mach 3 razors, running shoes (ours get torn up pretty fast in the sand/dirt here), any decorations we could put up in our chow hall or living quarters, anything for the kids here, and cleaning towels or sponges. Also, our First Sergeant is trying to get an MWR movie/game tent set up. We already have books, some dvds, a older dvd player, and a large tv. Anything to add would be awesome. Guys have been using skype to keep in touch with family, but we have no web cams in our computer room. If I think of or hear of anything else I'll relay it asap. Again thank you for everything and God Bless
Joseph
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... I have recently arrived in Afgahnistan, working as one of the Mental Health NCO's here in the Southern Region. My area covers 7 other areas, filled with mostly infantry and engineer units. Some of those units and areas are in dire need of snack foods, and especially personal hygiene items and entertainment items. My team travels to those locations approximately once a month to take them care packages and serve their Behavioral Health needs. We would appreciate if your organization would be willing to help these soldier's.

We continue to send care packages out to these other locations to continue to build up their morale and welfare the best that we can ... I will have access to reach a MINIMUM of 200 troops ... From my knowledge most areas have access to at least a microwave, fridge and coffee maker.

My unit will be in country until mid January 2013, and when our replacements come I will be passing along your information to them ... Every camp that I know of have 110 electricity. Most soldier's have laptops, and when off mission have the capability to watch DVD's ... Most of these Soldier's DO need phone cards. The PX is a hit and miss. Some of our locations have px's and some do not. In our area of operation, the px's are very small and run out of their new stock within about a hour or two. So especially the Soldier's that are out on mission when the shipment comes, they end up out of luck on getting personal hygiene and entertainment items.

Most locations have some type of MWR facility. Most of the Soldier's we are seeing do have access to local children and the locals in general. Some locations have laundry services and some do not. Most of us in this area of operation live in 10 man tents, and we are stuck with making curtains out of blankets and tarps and cord to have some sort of privacy. I have not heard of any units yet sleeping on cots. And I am based out of Fort Lewis, WA. ... thank you again for what you do, and your supporters.
SGT C.
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Idaho Squadron in Afghanistan receives our care packages

Soldiers holding our Girl Scout Cookies

I just wanted to say thank you for the body wash. The guys really appreciate it. I just wanted to know if you would be able to pack items such as choc. and powder donuts, fruit pies, honey buns, breakfast rolls and/or little debbie snack cakes. Something different but still exciting. What ever you can do for us, just know that we still appreciate every you and all your volunteers do for us ... God Bless all of you!
Eric

More April messages from our soldiers

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:44:00 +0000

More responses to our care packages for soldiers overseas (click to enlarge):

I wanted to send a sincere thank you from my guys and I. We are living in a village and on a mountain top and these items were so comforting and perfect that we had to track yall down and let you know. It means so much to all of us that 10+ years into this thing, we are still getting incredible support from folks back home. Please thank everyone for us and take good care.
God Bless!
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Hello!
Just wanted to say thanks for the second box! It came today - our mail system is weird sometimes.As always, as soon as I broke open the box in our command post, the guys reverted into 2 year olds fighting over the protein bars and the baseballs. The Girl Scout Cookies went shortly thereafter. Whatever we don't eat, we take over to the area of our base that our interpreters live in. They are local Afghans who translate for us and share the FOB with us and they absolutely love American snacks. The drink mixes and protein bars were a smashing hit! I am working on trying to get pictures for you all. Thank you again so much!
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Messages from soldiers receiving our care packages

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:47:00 +0000

Below are some messages from soldiers overseas who just received our care packages. Click on images to enlarge.

Dear Airborne Angels,
I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone involved in the care package that was sent to me. The Girl scout cookies were a big hit with all the guys and gal here in TF Longhorns, Bagram AF. Everyone wants me to express our deepest appreciation for all you do, not only for us but all Soldiers and Marines throughout Afghanistan! God bless you all and your families.
Respectfully, SSG W

Tarrant County 4-H Club - Pillow Cases for Soldiers

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:44:00 +0000

Students from the Tarrant County 4-H club collected goods and decorated pillowcases for our "Operation Pleasant Dreams" mission. These pillowcases along with their goods will be included in our soldiers' care packages being packed on April 28th. Many thanks to the students who participated in helping to bring a little of home to our troops.

MOOYAH Burgers May 3 fundraiser meal

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:40:00 +0000

MOOYAH Burgers * Fries * Shakes at 6400 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas (Plano Pkwy at Park Blvd) will be hosting a fundraiser for the Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas on Thursday, May 3. A portion of your purchase will help us send care packages to soldiers in Afghanistan and other overseas posts. Please tell the cashier that you are 'Eating 4 the Troops'. (click on flyer to enlarge)

April messages from soldiers overseas

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:24:00 +0000

Nancy - Airborne Angel Cadets -
... we recieved the care packages over the past two weeks. Thanks to your entire organization - the items that you sent were very nice and appreciated - a bit of home. All is well depsite the overall issues that have been happening. Take care - thank you again for your support.
J.D. - Afghanistan
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Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas,
I am CPT Michael ... here at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. I want to take the time to thank you for the enormous care package that you sent to my Battery. We have 80 Soldiers here, so everything went quickly. Your support of Soldiers deployed everywhere is so meaningful. It really raises the morale when we get a care package and everyone can dig in and share all of the treats. I attached a picture of us on our site in case you keep a collection of your adopted units. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a picture of the Soldiers opening the because because it all went so fast. All you would have seen was an empty box.

Please continue your support of deployed Soldiers. Your work really is noticed over here.
V/R, CPT Michael
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Im just emailing you to let you know i have recieved the care package that you have sent to me and my team in afghanistan, it truley means alot that their are people out their who support the troops. Everything you sent was perfect especially the protien bars and girl scout cookies, we dont have alot of stuff that we buy here other than tolitries so snacks and stuff like that make up for the chow hall food, but i just want to say thank you for the package and thanks for your support.
sincerely, jeremy / USAF
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Nancy, Cookies arrived today. We just completed our semi annual weigh ins so we can enjoy the cookies. thanks for everything and will be keeping an eye out for the other boxes.
Zach
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This is SPC Soe, Chaplain Assistant, from Kuwait. I have received your 2 packages from one of my soldiers, and found your info and letter inside the package. I just want to say thank you for the Girl Scouts cookies, iced green tea mix, and phone cards. We all enjoy it all.

Now Kuwait is getting hot and the humid is getting high. Heat will be 115-125 degree in the summer.
We need to hydrate in this kind of weather but we don't want to drink regular water all day long. So this kind of drink mix is our best friend for the summer.

Once again, we thank you and appreciate for your support and love for our troops.
Blessings, Very Respectfully, SPC Soe, Pyai

Specialist Alan in Afghanistan receives care packages

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:10:00 +0000

"... Today we received two boxes from you all! Thank you very much! We have a small room attached to our command post with some phones and computer that guys use to call home and I line up all the care packages on shelves in there. When I come back the next night, the boxes always look like the grocery store before a hurricane! I don't imagine the protein bars you all sent will last through the night! The guys here love to workout. I've attached some pictures of the boxes and also a picture of our Tactical Explosives Detection Dog (TEDD), Maci for you all to see. Thank you again very much!"

The Marketing Arm

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:19:00 +0000

Below are photos of Rick and Daren (and Mischief) of The Marketing Arm being presented a framed US Flag by Nancy Carter for all their assistance in helping the Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas ship care packages to soldiers overseas. Our recent packing party took place in their Irving warehouse.

500 Care Package Boxes packed at March Packing Party

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:59:00 +0000

On March 24, 2012, over 40 of our volunteers gathered to pack approximately 14,000 Girl Scout cookie boxes together with snacks, food items, and assorted other care package treats. A total of 500 large shipping cartons were packed with an approximate shipping cost of $15,000.

The post office picked up 170 of our shipping cartons immediately after the packing party. The remaining cartons will be shipped to our soldiers overseas in the next few weeks.

Our special thanks to Sgt. Schumpert and the six Army recruits who worked so hard at the packing party. And thanks to The Marketing Arm for use of their warehouse.

Our next big packing party is April 28 with a "Texas" theme. Some of the specific items we are trying to gather include chips, salsa, Texas-themed items (including pro or college teams), pop top cans of jalapenos, microwaveable queso, bluebonnet seeds, snacks and toiletries.

Below are some photos of our packing party. Thanks to all who volunteered.

Two assembly lines prepped before the packing party. A second assembly line of tables is hidden by the tall row of boxes.

Our great Army volunteers!

Richland Elementary School donates to soldiers

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:57:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone at Richland Elementary School for the wonderful care package contributions for our soldiers overseas. The soldiers will greatly appreciate your hard work in gathering so many donations.

Photos of Girl Scout Cookies being received

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:59:00 +0000

Below are some photos of our March pickup of just under 15,000 boxes of cookies from the Girl Scouts. We thank the Girl Scouts for the donations and welcome any financial support in helping us pay for the postage to our soldiers overseas.
How you can help us ship the cookies.

Girl Scout cookies being loaded for transport to our warehouse

Cookies being received from Girl Scouts


Girl Scouts with their custom-made pillow cases for the soldiers

Recent messages from soldiers in Afghanistan

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:16:00 +0000

Below are some letters and certificates received from our soldiers in Afghanistan in response to our care packages. (Click on images to enlarge.)

Chaplain note from Afghanistan

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:09:00 +0000

We are all doing very well. The current events have made things very interesting for people I know. Several FOBs have been approached by protesters and things have been tense, but we are working to do the right things irregardless.

... It is so amazing. People continually come to my office or to their Command tents to pick up items that we've presented. It has been such a help because we have such a small PX and so very little access to toiletries and snacks. It's been a great help to us! The packages have made a huge difference for the Soldiers that I serve.

Thank you so much,
Chaplain J

Soldiers receive our Valentines care packages

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:45:00 +0000

We just received these photos of our care packages being distributed to our soldiers in Afghanistan. The blankets, sheets, mattress pads and bedding were a big hit. We also included some Valentine decorations to brighten up their surroundings. (click on photos to enlarge)

From our contact who distributes the items: "Attached are pictures of where we store all the goodies y'all send us. We either pull from this storage area to provide Soldiers items at the outlying locations or we allow Soldiers coming in to go in an pick what they need. Then there are some pictures of Soldiers "extremely" grateful for the bedding, especially during these cold months - brrrrr!"

Storage area for our care package goods

Storage area for care packages

Valentines decorations for the troops

Letter and Certificate from Task Force Lobos

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:21:00 +0000

From Task Force Lobos in Afghanistan (click to enlarge).

Certificate of Appreciation - Task Force Lobos

Supporting Soldiers from Ohio and Michigan

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:25:00 +0000

Here are some recent notes from soldiers in Afghanistan, particularly a large contingent from Ohio and Michigan. If any of you have decorations from Ohio or Michigan that would brighten up their living quarters and guest rooms, please let us know.

"Oh, and this is an odd request since y'all are out Texas, but of course my unit is made up of mostly people from Ohio and Michigan so they are asking for Ohio State and Michigan University type stuff."

"Yesterday we had received the additional mattress pads and sheets and we've probably already given out half of them. We also gave out more fleeces and blankets because cold and snowy weather has hit us again. And yes, the chocolate and gummy worms everybody loves ..."

Other items asked for were bungee cords, yoga mats, and a computer projector that can be used for yoga classes and other presentations.

Soldiers Photo from Afghanistan

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:46:00 +0000

Here's a great photo from one of our care package recipients in Afghanistan. (click to enlarge)

January Packing Party Recap

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:21:00 +0000

On January 21, we held our first large packing party for 2012. A special thanks to Daren, Rick, James and Jenell for their assistance and use of the USMP warehouse.

We packed 171 care package boxes this past weekend for our soldiers serving overseas in Afghanistan. In addition to Valentine themed items, we also shipped snacks, coffee, toiletries, blankets, DVD's and assorted other items.

There are still roughly 100,000 American troops serving in Afghanistan.

For our troop contacts in Afghanistan who were not recipients of the above January care packages, we will continue to make smaller shipments throughout January, February and March. Our next large packing party is tentatively scheduled for the end of March, and will be coordinated with our receipt of Girl Scout cookies.

As always, thanks to all the volunteers and donors who helped make the packing party a success.

For those inquiring about our special requests, we now have a special request for a large number of pillows, twin mattress pads and sheets.

New requests from soldiers arriving in Afghanistan

noreply@blogger.com (David Wooldridge) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:57:00 +0000

This past week, Joanne, Amber, E.D., Sarah and Nancy worked for 2 days boxing up and mailing off initial boxes containing approximately 70 mattress pads, 30 or so sheet sets, dozens of throw blankets, blankets from the Carrollton Senior Center, bed caddies and a couple boxes of fabric softener sheets.

As the remainder of the unit arrives, more of these items will be needed. We have been purchasing twin mattress pads at Target ($6.99) and WalMart ($6.96). Keep in mind the other items mentioned. In addition, we have been amassing pillows for Zach. We found pillows at WalMart for $2.50 each (standard, deep pocket).

Below are some comments from our contact (pertaining to the above shipment) who has just arrived in Afghanistan with a huge contingent of soldiers.

Nancy, You're awesome! No, we don't have the ability to do our own laundry, we have to turn it in in laundry bags and have the locals wash it. Therefore, Soldiers prior have said they just throw in the bag one of those washer/dryer sheets and their laundry comes back cleaner and smelling pretty :o)

I still haven't moved into my permanent quarters so I'm still unsure what my actual living area is going to be like, but I think the mattress pad and sheets will be a good start for me and all. Don't want any bugs regardless of where you're living!!! Oh, and the heater you mentioned would be great right now for my office. It gets so cold in here - brrrrrrrrrr! But luckily they said the weather should warm up by March :o)

Other things I noticed:

Our trailer PX sells no magazines so any 2012 magazines would be good: Shape, Redbook, Cosmo, GQ, Hunting & Fishing...

The locals have been hired to operate a small library so no books are needed because Soldiers have thousands readily available.

Our PX also sells no DVDs or CDs so any of those will be good in order to keep Soldiers occupied during their down time because this base is extremely small with little extra amenities.

Our PX also sells limited women's products like razors and deodorant so those items will be good.

Oh, and we are no longer permitted to use USB drives in our government computers ... however, we can use SD cards that are used in cameras so if you come across any of these, please send them so Soldiers can download and email pics home.

And if Soldiers choose to, they can use phone cards like AT&T. I say choose to because the locals have set up a sort of phone center here and you can pay cash and receive so many minutes on their phone lines calling back to the states. Also, Soldiers have the option to buy cell phones here, but I heard the minutes to operate them are very pricey.

The internet here is not so reliable so when it's working, I try to get as many emails as I can sent. Please tell everyone I said hi!