WELCOME!
This project originated from my blog, www.gnightgirl.blogspot.com. It is a project born from word-of-mouth, love, support, and the kindness of hundreds of people that read an idea and said "let's do it." It is your project.

You have my undying gratitude and love.

- Lori Stewart (Champaign, Illinois)

IMAGINE...
A child, sleeping with tiny hands wrapped around a stuffed animal tossed to him by a gigantic, gun-toting U.S. soldier, clothed in helmet, boots, green fatigues.

That same soldier. 60 pounds of gear on his body, exhausted after a 3-day mission in 117-degree heat. The dust, he writes home, is the consistency of powdered sugar. It's everywhere. And "Mom," he says, "the kids love the beanies. Send all you have. The guys are asking for them."

A parent's love for their child is universal. If your son, your daughter, Your Soldier can toss a beanie baby or a soccer ball to a child in the midst of war, fear, and chaos, and make that child laugh with glee, then his mother smiles also.

Even if world leaders can't come to terms, we can still shake one another's hands, hand a few toys to their kids, and put smiles on their faces. I hope you'll join us.

April 7, 2008

SPECIAL THANKS

Sam's Club recently begifted Toys for Troops with a cash donation of $1000. This gift will help us send almost 4000 beanie babies, and/or other items to soldiers in Iraq. Many thanks to Sam's for their generous donation.

In other news

We at Toys for Troops have been quiet here, for the last couple of months. The fundraisers in November and December, along with the Sam's Club has allowed us to keep working in the background, collecting and sending beanies, and mailing care package items to soldiers in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We're mailing an average of 500 beanies a week, and brainstorming our next project.

Many of the soldiers on our list are finishing up their tours soon (HURRAY!) but we will continue to send toys and care packages to the brave guys and gals that are stepping into their shoes. As always, if you know anyone that can benefit from our project, contact us; we'll be happy to get in touch with your soldier!

As I write this, e-mails from soldiers and their parents begin to roll in: Your gifts and messages have arrived, folks, and are greatly appreciated. A letter I received yesterday from SN Casey Woller reads:

Thank you so much for the box, the cards, the letters. It means the world to me, and I'll share with those around me. I actually showed my commanding officer your box. He was very impressed with the things that you are doing.

... It used to be ME who was putting together the boxes, making the cards, sending countless emails to those fighting in the war, or just being deployed in general. Fast forward 2, 3 years down the road, and this time, I'm the one receiving the box. I can't even begin to describe how much this means to me.

In addition to those that showed up or donated to our local event, dozens of others from around the entire United States participated, shopping and sending boxes from their own homes.

Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and participation.

HOMEFRONT HEROES
Toys for Troops was recognized as a Homefront Hero at the Illinois State Capitol, on December 11.

I accepted the award from Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn at a press conference on that day. With your help, we've done so much in such a short time; it has only been 7 months since Toys for Troops was launched, and so many have stepped forward to contribute. I closed my speech last Tuesday with these words:

I'm incredibly proud and blessed to have stumbled into a project that can provide an avenue for people to actually make a difference.

From the letters that are coming in from around the world right now, I'm certain we are doing just that. Thank you, a million times thank you.

EVENT CALENDAR
Take a look at our latest events on our new event calendar. Click here.

GOT A SOLDIER?
If you’re a parent, wife, sibling, or friend of a soldier anywhere, that might like to receive a box full o’ beanies, I will definitely add him or her to the mailing list. We have plenty to go around!

GOT BEANIES?
If you do, we'll be glad to take them off your hands. E-mail ljstewart@gmail.com, and we'll arrange something. We can pick them up. We can give you names and addresses of soldiers who want them. You can mail them to us. We can also give you a box to seal with a kiss and ship them yourself. We're flexible.

GOT SOCCER BALLS?
The soccer ball campaign hasn’t really kicked off yet, but there’s no time like the present. New or used. A soccer ball at Walmart costs about $10. I’ve found them in bulk for $6.45 (but you have to buy 48 at a time; we’re not there yet). We can deflate them and send pumps and needles.

DON'T HAVE BEANIES?
GOT POWDERED DRINK MIX? WET WIPES? TRAIL MIX?
If you're unable to send soccer balls or beanies babies, but would still like to make a contribution, I can give you a list of what our boys are asking for. Again, I can give you names of soldiers to send them to. Anything you send will be shared, and someone, somewhere will appreciate it. I promise you.

GOT TIME?
If you would like to be a "TFT Ambassador" for your community, e-mail me at ljstewart@gmail.com. I'll give you some tips, soldier's names, and shipping instructions.