Operation Top Knot Baby Shower

We have a special program dedicated to expectant military families called Operation Top Knot. Top Knot is a nationwide network of service clubs and individuals who sew, knit and shop to create gift baskets for infants and expectant mothers in military families. Deployments are difficult on the entire family unit, but even more so when that family is expecting or has an infant child. Our mission is to commend the women and children at home for their strength, to let them know we are proud of their sacrifices as well as their husbands' and fathers', and most importantly, to do what we can to support them during the emotionally challenging times of deployment. OTK is excited to announce we will be throwing our first ever baby shower at Fort Hood on Saturday, April 30, 2011!

OTK would like to enlist the help of all you wonderful people in the community in getting the necessary items for this shower.

We are looking for any and all donations but some examples include:

Diapers
Baby Wipes
Baby clothes
Diaper Bags
Bottles
Baby blankets
Hypo-allergenic lotions/shampoo/babywash
Gift cards (Target, Babies R Us, Walmart)

Anything else you think a new mother could use.

All donations are needed by March 1 April 15, 2011 to ensure time to wrap and distribute for the shower.

Please contact Amber Eller, OTK Battle Buddies Team Leader for more information or ways to drop off donations.
Amber Eller
512-629-1728
battlebuddies -at- soldiersangels -dot- org

Drum Hike Update

Mission Complete!

UPDATE 1/28/2011 -- It is with sincere concern for the health and continued well being of Troy Yokum, that Soldiers’ Angels must withdraw its current sponsorship and support of Hike for our Heroes.

While on his journey Troy has suffered from kidney stones as well as injuries to his feet which have demonstrated potential medical danger and that without a full medical clearance from a Medical Professional its in his best interests to not continue his mission at this time.

Soldiers’ Angels will continue the previous and ongoing mission of supporting our nation's returning heroes and veterans that Troy Yokum’s efforts contributed to in support of veterans and their families.

We at Soldiers’ Angels applaud his efforts to date, as it is truly a remarkable feat, and pledge that we will assist him as he transitions into the next phase or chapter of his life with his wife.

Any donations received by SA in support of this project will be applied directly to veterans support activities.

Blogger Shares Secrets for Creating Exceptional Care Packages

Over on the Family Matters blog at Defense.gov, guest blogger Megan Just shares her care package experiences - both from the sending and receiving sides:

One of my most vivid memories of my deployment to Iraq is the adrenaline rush of receiving care packages. The arrival of a care package could instantly turn a bad day into a euphoric one. Receiving care packages was so important to me that I often wrote about them in my diary.

At the beginning of the deployment I wrote, "I received Eric's (my boyfriend) package today and I've been waiting all night to open it. I've been so looking forward to it that I don't want the anticipation to be over."

The next day, after opening his package, I wrote, "Eric's box was great. He sent my favorite fig sugarless cookies (which I am finishing as I write), a bunch of Cliff Bars and a variety of dried fruit. He also sent two issues of ‘National Geographic’ and ‘Climbing.’"

In that care package, Eric had also enclosed a small book he made that contained his favorite quotes, photos of us together and a long letter. My reaction to the book tugged at my heartstrings enough to nauseate you, so I'll pass on sharing that section of my diary here, but I can assure you, the book meant a lot more than the fig cookies and it is still a treasured item today.

Toward the end of deployment, even as the recipient of an estimated 50 care packages, I was still raving about them. "I love getting care packages," I wrote. "It is hands-on proof that somebody loves me. Opening them is like being a kid on Christmas morning. Each package contains a surprise and what is inside is additionally valuable because the contents are things that I can't procure myself."

While all care packages are great to receive, I did notice a difference in the emotional impact of a run-of-the-mill care package versus one where the sender put a lot of thought into selecting the contents and packaging them in a creative manner.

A run-of-the-mill care package contains generic items and things servicemembers can easily buy themselves at the Exchange on base or order online. A run-of-the-mill care package is one that might as well have been packed by one of the many web-based care package companies. See, the preparation of an exceptional care package cannot be outsourced. The preparation and thought that goes into a care package is half of its value and the servicemember can perceive this extra effort.

Read the whole thing. Some of her suggestions are better for when you know the recipient personally, but she also shares ideas you can use if you have adopted a service member who may not be able to share with you the things they would be interested in getting. It's always a good idea to be on the look-out for care package suggestions!

Austin-area Meet & Greet

In an effort for Angels in the Austin area to get to know one another, we are having a Meet & Greet this coming Saturday, January 22nd, at 2pm at Mandola's Italian Market, 4700 W Guadalupe, Suite 12, Austin (the area known as "The Triangle", between 46th and 51st). If you think you'll be able to make it, please email Lisa at cailin7591 -at- netzero -dot- net, so we know about how many people to expect. We'd love to meet you! Come join us for a late lunch of tasty Italian while we talk about what we can do to support our troops from right here in Austin!

What it means

An Army Lieutenant Colonel wrote to Soldiers' Angels last week, asking for help boosting the morale of his Soldiers in Afghanistan. He also shared why it matters so much...

What you, your staff and donors do is remarkable. It makes a huge difference. I know that you will say that it is small, but it is these small things that make the huge difference and that the Soldiers remember.

Read the whole thing.

You can help. There are currently 1031 Heroes waiting to be adopted.

2nd Annual: Support the Red, White and Blue; Give Love, Give Blood

During the week surrounding February 11th, 2011 Soldiers' Angels encourages Angels and friends across the entire country to honor those that have shed their BLOOD for us by heading to your local blood bank and donating a pint. You can check the eligibility requirements for donating here.

In coordination with WEAR RED Friday and Valentines' Day weekend, please take time out of your busy schedule to give a pint. If you can't give RED you can always give GREEN and donate $$ online www.soldiersangels.org.

Send your photos of your giving experience to ShelleMichaels@SoldiersAngels.org or pixt them to 218-779-7271 for automatic posting to our Facebook fan page.

New Soldiers' Angels Sewing Project!

I enjoy sewing. I started sewing as a child. My parents got me this kid's sewing machine and I was able to make very simple items. I eventually graduated to using Mom's sewing machine and making more involved pieces. Over the years, I've made all kinds of things: skirts, tops, dresses, stuffed toys, purses and I can't remember what else! Last Christmas I made each of my sisters purses in fun prints that matched their personalities. This past Christmas, I made a different purse for my two year old niece. I've got projects planned to help support the next Project Valour IT fundraiser. I just need the time!

Today, I received an email about a new project the Sewing Team has:

The Soldiers' Angels Sewing Team is extending its powerful tradition of handmade support for the troops with an exciting new project: Patriot Pillowcases, designed to bring cheer and color to what can be a very drab hospital environment in Combat Support Hospitals (CSH) overseas.

Patriot Pillow Cases began with 16-year-old Angel seamstress Katie, who discovered that cherry, happy pillow cases were often requested for the wounded at Combat Support Hospitals overseas. Katie has been an Angel for over a year, sewing blankets and participating in the Letter Writing Team. She also recently organized a school project to collect magazines and holiday cards for Soldiers’ Angels care packages.

“I think this could be a very valuable project,” says Katie, “Because it brings the same sense of love and support from home to soldiers as a blanket might. However, the simplicity of a pillowcase allows us to reach more soldiers.”

Roger Godskesen, head of Soldiers' Angels Medical Support - Deployed, agrees. “The CSH's can be rather drab, so some bright, homemade pillowcases would mean the world to the patients. We currently have over 60 medical units we're working with, so there is plenty of need!”

To get started on your Patriot Pillowcase, click for guidelines (instructions may also be found on the Sewing Team page under “Teams and Projects” on this website.

You don't really need to buy a pattern. For the simplest pillow, you need one yard of 45" wide fabric (cotton or flannel, new fabric only, please) in fun, patriotic or bright colors and/or prints per standard size (21" x 32") pillowcase. There is a request that a minimum of five pillowcases be shipped at a time. Got to your fabric store, check out what's in the remnants bin, or see what's on sale. I'm sure you can find some real bargains out there!

Instructions for a basic, one color/print pillowcase can be found here. If you are feeling a little more ambitious, you can find instructions for a pillowcase with a contrasting band at the opening here. I think I might be hitting the fabric stores this weekend!