Bring the Holidays to our Troops! – RadioViceOnline.com
This is stolen in it’s entirety from RadioViceOnline.com which I wouldn’t normally do, but word needs to get out and I don’t have time to make my own post today.
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November 18, 2009 at 10:29 am by Steve McGough
We need to move fast! We’re supporting the 192nd MP Battalion from Connecticut by collecting snacks, food, and hygiene items because there is always a need for those items. But, since things are relatively well established over there, our emphasis is bringing the holidays to our deployed troops!
We would love things like decorations, games, DVDs, cards of well wishes, cards or items made by children. We’re looking for fund stuff to package up and deliver to Connecticut’s 192nd Military Police Battalion and other service men and women with family in Connecticut and all across the United States.
But we need to move fast! To ensure delivery to our troops overseas, we need to make a big push over the next 72 hours!
Update: Fitzgerald’s Fine Foods in Simsbury is now a drop-off point and makes it easy to donate. Bring them $10 or $20 and they will put together care packages for you! (See their address below)
We will primarily be sending to the 192nd Military Police Battalion out of Connecticut, but the more stuff we get, the more troops we will be able to add to our list. If you have a soldier’s address you would like us to add to our list, or have any questions about the drive, contact us using the form below and our organizer extraordinaire Mel will get back to you as soon as possible.
What are we looking to send?
First off, you would be surprised how a simple note or card of thanks from a stranger boosts the morale and spirits of a soldier. Include them with your donations! Note: We’re also collecting holiday cards for the families here on the home front.
We are unable to take cash (except at Fitzgerald’s), but we could use small packing boxes and rolls of clear shipping tape. Here’s a list of suggested items.
- iTunes Gift Cards
- Christmas and Holiday Cards – even just notes of well-wishes
- Double-stuffed Oreos
- Holiday decorations
- Board Games
- Chap Stick
- Deoderant
- Beef Jerky
- Trail Mix & Craisins Trail Mix
- Gatorade
- Jelly Beans
- CDs and DVDs
- Hot Chocolate
- Hot Apple Cider
- Bug Repellent
- Battery Operated Fans
- Wet Wipes
- Foot Powder
- Sunblock
A note about food: Chocolate this time of year is OK, but you never know how long these packages can be sitting outside in the sun awaiting final delivery. Things in tin or strong type containers always fair better in travel. When purchasing things like mac and cheese, remember items such as butter and milk are not available. Things that only need water added are best. Microwavable items are fine.
Remember, we are unable to send pork, adult reading material, or alcohol.
In this drive, we are not accepting homemade baked goods, but there is a “Cookies for the Troops” drive held by the Glastonbury VFW at South Congregational Church, 1301 Forbes St., East Hartford on December 6, 2009 from 1 to 3 pm. For more information call (860) 690-2845.
Drop off locations
Fitzgerald’s Fine Foods – Map & directions
710 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, CT 06070
http://fitzgeraldsfoods.com
(860) 658-2271
Fitzgerald’s is a drop-off location, plus they are taking your cash donations of $10 or $20 and building out the care packages for you! Making it easy in the Valley!
Kamco New England – Map & directions
179 Burnham Street
East Hartford, Conn.
http://kamconewengland.com/
Hours: Mon-Fri 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
When you walk in, ask for Fast Eddie (Mel’s Dad) and be sure to give him a hard time. Kamco has always been a strong ally in supporting our fine men and women in uniform.
Scott’s Orchard and Nursery – Map & directions
1838 New London Tnpk
Glastonbury, Conn.
http://scottsorchardandnursey.com
Hours: 7 days, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mel works here, if you’re looking to avoid me I’m not there on Monday and Wednesdays, most other days I am there. Christmas trees will be arriving soon, can you believe it? The Scott family has a long tradition of charitable generosity and are strong supporters of our troops.
Zest – Map & directions
167 Tolland Stage Rd (Rt 74)
Tolland, Conn.
http://www.zestofct.com
Tuesday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday-Thursday 5 to 9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Zest is owned by Carrie Landry, Mel’s cousin. Fabulous food if you have yet to stop in and she is now taking orders for yummy Thanksgiving side dishes. You may have heard her with Ray as a featured Restaurant of the Week earlier in the year or seen her on Better Connecticut. She is proud to be a drop-off location for our Troops this holiday season!
NAPA in Canton – Map & directions
220 Albany Tpke # 11
in the Canton Village
Canton, Conn.
(860) 693-0777
Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Canton NAPA is owned by Gary Barnes and Brian Kelley. The Barnes family has two sons currently serving in the Army and is excited to help out. Ensure you thank the family when you stop by!
2008 Republican 9th Assembly District Convention
Cliff Thompson Nomination
Dennis Brenner Nomination
Dennis Brenner Second
Dennis Brenner Second (2)
Michael Crockett Nomination
Michael Crockett Second
Cliff Thompson Speech
Dennis Brenner Speech
Michael Crockett Speech
Roll Call Vote
Cliff Thompson Acceptance
Invitation for comment from Senator LeBeau
Mr. LeBeau expressed his disagreement with my analysis of his bills last night at the Lincoln Dinner in honor of Don Pitkin. While I did not think it an appropriate place or time for such a discussion I have invited him to make a response in an appropriate forum, this blog. A two sided conversation is almost always more productive and I expect that would be the case here. My invitation follows.
Mr. Lebeau,
I appreciate your patronage of my blog (http://brainflation.wordpress.com) and your disagreement with my opinions in regard to the legislation you have introduced this session. While I did not think last night’s dinner in honor of the many years of public service Don Pitkin has performed for the town of East Hartford was the appropriate venue to have such a discussion I do invite you to comment in the same forum in which you were critiqued. If you are interested in writing a response to my analysis of your bills I will gladly post it unedited on the blog.
In Liberty,
Jon Searles
http://brainflation.wordpress.com
Katz loose in the general assembly?
Joshua Katz has announced his intention to run for the 23rd district general assembly seat.
While this news may be a bit irrelevant on a normal day, it interests me because I happen to know Mr. Katz. One October day, while distributing free pumpkins to the community on the New Haven Green, we had the opportunity to exchange political thought at some length. He’d make a great Republican.
Don’t know who Josh Katz is? Refer to this video from the Middletown Straw Poll:
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7005686119110475171]
Katz is running as a Libertarian against incumbent Republican Marilyn Giuliano.
From his website:
I am running for the state legislature because of my passionate belief in the principles on which this country was founded – peace, freedom, and liberty. I see all three of these principles as being under attack at present. In Hartford, I will fight to bring Connecticut’s National Guard home for the protection of the state, to eliminate the income tax and let you keep more of your hard-earned money, to protect civil liberties from the ever-growing reach of the government, and for a woman’s right to choose. I am a teacher, and seeing what was happening in the world around me, I resolved that I would not let it be said that I did nothing to protect the world my students would inherit. I will do my part to ensure that they are not saddled with debt, and that they do not come of age in a country with an overpowerful government.Check out his site for more.
