THANK YOU!!!! So many people put their hearts and energy into making this project a huge success. Six thousand bags were packed, boxed and shipped.
Nearly every bag that went out contained:
a toy (mostly beanie babies, but some balls, etc
a gift (mostly disposable cameras, but also some thermos style mugs)
gum
candy
snack item (such as a package of cookies, pretzels or chex mix)
sunflower seeds
chapstick
eye drops
ziplock bags
toiletry item
a handful of ink pens
ibuprofen
batteries
a coupon for a free download of a yet-to-be-released (I think) song
A handwritten note, card or letter of encouragement
There were also Bibles, caribiners, Stick Buddies, and more, more, more that found their way into many of the bags. Thank you SO much to everyone who helped. It is impossible to list even the WAYS in which people helped, much less the names of the people who helped, but you
know who you are and so does God. He brought it all together. Praise Him.
Posted May 17, '08:
Good morning,
We have one week to go - This is sorting and packing week. We have enough money to ship just over 4,000 packages! That's2/3 of the way there.
Individuals: We need shipping on 2,000 more packages. Can you go to your friends and neighbors today asking them to contribute $5.00 to ship one box? The $5.00 covers the cost of the bag (small backpack with nothing in it) and the cost to ship it. For every $5.00 that you raise, that's one more bag going to Afghanistan. Individual donations, for tax purposes, are treated like a donation to any qualified 'church'.
Businesses: If you own a business or know someone who does, can you ask for a corporate donation? Remember - every $100.00 sends 20 packages. Remind them that we will be sending out tax receipts to them the first part of June. Corporate donations are tax deductible.
Together, we can get over the hump. I thank you all for what you have already done. Let's work together to make this happen for our men and women.
Thank you,
Posted May 16, '08:
We have now been covered by all four major Nashville TV stations, and also have had multiple radio spots. The word is spreading and the phone is ringing with people offering to help, locations volunteering to be drop-off's for their area, etc. We have dollar donations (drops of rain) coming in that will either go toward the shipping costs or (we hope) be freed up to purchase more goodies for the care packages. We've had several great corporate contributions of items that have been wonderful and we will strive to put a list up so everyone will know whom to thank. Our volunteers now number in the hundreds and everyone is excited as what at first seemed a very daunting task is becoming more and more possible.
Our greatest need at the moment which continues to frustrate our every effort to solve is how to transport these care packages to their intended recipients, the men and women of the 506. We would dearly love to be able to put them on a military supply plane but so far none are available. Any ideas??? Please pray that a resolution to this be found so we won't be left literally "holding the bags."
As for the bags, the gym at the Madison Church of Christ will be open daily, 8am-8pm (except during the worship hours on Sunday) to receive donations and for volunteers to sort, stuff and pack the bags. To schedule a time to volunteer, call 615-860-3214, or just show up and we'll put you to work.
Posted May 15, '08 (pm):
Hello everyone,
Thanks to the following this week:
In addition, Roger has gotten 6,000 packs ofTic-Tacs!
Matt & AnneMarie Campbell have gotten us12,000 packets of pain relievers! They want to thank their good friend, SherryJefferies for all the calls and help she has given!
Thanks to our NEW DROP OFF LOCATIONS:
Rivergate Chic-fil-A on Gallatin Road in Madison(outside the Mall)
Food Lion In Old Hickory
Movie Gallery in Decherd Tennessee
Hero-Gear, LLC in Winchester Tennessee (acrossfrom the Food Lion)
Posted May 15, '08 (am):
Chick-Fil-A Rivergate has become a drop off point as well as setting up a card writing station.
Madison Church of Christ gym will be open from 8am-8pm Monday-Saturday, and noon-5pm on Sunday to receive donations and volunteers.
The MTHEA Curriculum Fair at the State Fairgrounds this weekend will have a card writing station as well as a donation box.
Direct TV - Alabama is onboard, donating some dvd's and carabiners
NOTICE: The Rivergate Branch of the Old Hickory Credit Union is currently in a remodeling phase and so is no longer able to be a drop off point.
Posted May 14, '08:
One more week to go! Remember all donations must be in by next Wednesday, 5/21 in order to meet the shipping deadline and arrive to our troops by Father's Day!
We are half way to having enough funds to cover the shipping expense...keep those drops of rain coming...
We've had spots on several local news and radio programs now, including Fox 17, Channel 4 (check the link on www.operationdad2008.com ), Steve Gill and Hendersonville Star...
Goodpasture and David Lipscomb are piling up Beanie Babies
We're getting phone calls and emails from communities all around wanting to do what they can to help out.
What we need....prayers, more donations, more money and more people to commit to showing up at Madison Church of Christ next week to sort, stack, stuff and pack.
It's coming together..help us make it happen!
Posted May 10, '08:
We now have 3 drop-off locations in the Putnam County area : Veteran’s Barbershop- Cookeville, Ed Roger’s Chevrolet – Sparta & Ed Roger’s Chevrolet – McMinnville. However, we will need someone to collect the donations there and bring them to Nashville.
We received a shoe box of trial sample soaps & shampoos from ‘Pustejovsky’ in Primm Springs, TN 38476. :) Thanks!!
Posted May 9, '08:
Good afternoon everyone,
First of all, please keep the guys in the 506th in your prayers. They lost at least 3 of their men today and there are some others with serious injuries. Our hearts go out to the entire unit and their families.
Thanks to U-Turn Lavern, we were on the Steve Gill show this morning. He was very receptive and has been taking calls during the day. We have already had responses from the show.
Cookeville TN now has a drop off point and will be doing a fund raiser all day on May 17th.
The USPS responded and will have the boxes here by the end of next week…
A business in Knoxville has called about what they can do from their city…
Loden Vision Centers are making a hard effort to get bottles of Sterile Eye Drops and Chap Stick…
Sam’s Town Casino in Tunica is working on gifts of playing cards…
Tell everyone you can about our 25,000 drops of rain program. (An effort to collect a dollar from 25,000 people to cover shipping!) Connect with your friends…neighbors…employees…parents…e-mail group – anyway you can get the word out!
Hope you all have the best of weekends. There is no way to let you know how much you are doing and what a difference you are making. Again, please keep our troops in your prayers. This will be a difficult weekend for them.
Tom Haddon for Operation Dad 2008
Posted May 8, '08:
13 days until Packing Day
It’s been a good day. Just some highlights:
Todd Hibbs was able to get us on YouTube today. Check Shannon Brown out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gwNU8BAdOU&fmt=18
“Macy’s Logistics & Operations,” though their partner “Partners in Time,” heard the radio talk from 107 and wants to give us 1,500 small stuffed animals for the bags…
Hermitage Explosives Corporation, the company of late Representative Robb Robinson, is matching all donations from their employees…
Oriental Trading donated the shipping on the children’s backpacks (a savings of 1000.00) and moved delivery up from regular shipping to 3 day.
Spoke to the National Association of Church Business Administrators…very encouraging
We record a spot for radio 98 in the morning
The radio station currently playing the early morning spots is 107.5 The River! If you get the chance, give them a huge thanks – the word is getting out!
News Coverage starts next week
St Thomas Hospital called just a few minutes ago and said they were taking collections from their employees as well!
Brentwood High School called and wants to get their DECA club involved!
Started promoting 1 million drops of rain…actually 25,000 dollar drops which will pay for shipping. (an effort to say to 25,000 people, “Can you spare a dollar”
If you have any companies that can donate a hot item – we were told the troops really like the Carabieners (found in hiking stores/Wal*Mart) and Sterile Eye drops. (ease from the Dry Desert heat)
And that’s just the word from today!
Keep talking
Have the best of evenings!
Tom Haddon for Operation Dad 2008
