Keep our 2012 Overseas Military
in your prayers
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STATUS:
Collecting donations and preparing for
1st Packing Event March 10th!
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Sixth Annual Cookies-4-Soldiers Campaign has begun!
/////// News from Santa Maria Girl Scout Ministry/////////////////// Date: Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 We now have 9 Overseas Soldiers adopted into our service project and we are still collecting names. We've already bought over 200 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to send and working to collect more donations to make this year our best success yet! Collecting Donations - send email to michele@lighthousetrips.com for instructions!
Adopting Overseas Soldiers for our 2012 Cookies-4-Soldiers Service Project | |
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Our Santa Maria Girl Scout Ministry would like to invite you to help us adopt Overseas Soldiers from your families or neighborhoods that you would like us to spoil by adopting them into our 2012 Cookies-4-Soldiers campaign. It involves getting the following information regarding the Soldier you want us to adopt.
What we need for each adopted soldier is:
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Prior Santa Maria Girl Scout Ministry Cookies-4-Soldiers Service Projects |
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Pray for Our 2011 Adopted Soldiers
STATUS: February 26th care packing event a success + 11 care packages shipped March 3rd, 2011 + 11 care packages shipped March 15th, 2011 + 11 care packages shipped March 25th, 2011 March 26th care packing event a success + 3 care packages shipped April 4th, 2011 + 13 care packages shipped April 14th, 2011 + 13 care packages shipped April 26th, 2011 + 13 care packages shipped May 12th, 2011 June 10th last packing at lockin a success + 13 care packages shipped June 13th, 2011 |
Fifth Annual Cookies-4-Soldiers Campaign Declared A Success!
Our latest correspondence: /////// Mail from CPT Mark E. Ruiz/////////////////// 6 September 2011 Girl Scout Troop 324, The Team at the Sahel IMOC would like to thank you for thinking about us while we serve the United States from Stuttgart Germany. The Sailors and Soldiers enjoyed the Girl Scouts cookies and goodies as well as the words of encouragement. The Sahel IMOC works for the US Africa Command monitoring threat activity in the Sahel region of the continent of Africa. Our goal is to make sure US citizens and their allies are safe from any type of threat in the Sahel region of Africa. If you would like to know more about the US Africa Command you can visit the web site at: http://www.africom.mil/. Enclosed are 26 AFRICOM pins that are normally worn on a dress uniform and a picture of the Sahel IMOC team. Thank you again for the delicious Girl Scout Cookies, Respectfully, CPT Mark E. Ruiz 
 The coolest pins for the girls!
------- June 16, 2011 ------------- Many people have sent notes inquiring about the flag rivets that we sent to our adopted soldiers this year. The following is the words our sister troops from St. Augustine included to our soldiers with the flag rivets we sent to them. On November 20, 2010 the St. Augustine Girl Scouts of Gateway Council retired 150 worn flags. As we retired each flag, we reminded ourselves of our flag’s history: the stripes stand for each of the thirteen original colonies, with white for purity, red for courage and the blue for justice. That our flag stands not only as a symbol for our country, but a symbol of our nation’s unity —our hopes, achievements, freedoms and the privilege we have as Americans. It is also a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve our country, who protect our freedoms and rights under our Constitution. Traditionally, the rivets from retired flags are given as a symbol of hope and protection to those who carry them. We would be honored for you to accept these rivets as a small thank you for your sacrifice. Girl Scouts of St. Augustine
------- June 13, 2011 ------------- All of our shipments are now complete! We are now at 14 Adopted Overseas Soldiers for the close of our 2011 Cookies-4-Soldiers service project. One of our soldiers is now back stateside and another one came across our desks that we added in this last shipment. We are going to try to get another package together this summer for him before he returns home in October. Thanks to the donors and a special thanks to all the Girl Scout Troops that made this project a success - Troops 324, 1119, 864, 1134, & 674 and St. Augustine sister Troops 1422, 1280, 1290 & 1291!! ------- May 28, 2011 ------------- To Santa Maria del Mar Parishioners, VFW Ladies Auxillary, Palm Coast McDonalds and Bob Evans restaurants, and our many individual donors, Thank you so very much for your support of our 2011 Cookies-4-Soldiers program. With your donations we were able to send each soldier 6 care packages stuffed with 6-8 boxes of cookies, magazines, candies, cards & letters. Last week we received another donation from the local chapter of the VFW which gives us enough to send them each one last package with a couple boxes of cookies and our thank you letters. This year's project was a great success in teaching our girls the importance of showing gratitude to our overseas military as well as having touched the hearts of the 13 soldiers that we adopted this year. We think there is no better way to thank you other than to share a letter we received from one of these soldiers. Please continue to keep our special 13 in your prayers throughout the year, Michele Coe & Michelle Haller, Santa Maria Girl Scout Ministry /////// Email from US Navy EN2(SW) Lawrence Lee/////////////////// Mrs Michele, This Is EN2 (SW) Lawrence M Lee from the USS GARY writing again in regard to being one of your adopted soldiers. I would like to think you very much once again. Since my first message and package I have received many more packages. I am very blessed to have been adopted by you and I want to thank you for everything you and your girls have been doing for the Troops. You have kept up the morale of me and my guys here. We all love every package we have received. As soon as I get it I pass out the cookies and reading materials. They all get a little jealous when they see I got another package in and ask how I got chosen for this. Then I pass out the cookies and no one is complaining anymore. I really appreciate what all of you do for the Military and deployed soldiers. Please keep up the good work and I plan on donating what I can when I can. I will be transferred to Mayport, Fl shortly and would love to lend a helping hand when I could. Thanks again for everything you do. V/R, EN2 (SW) Lawrence M Lee U.S. Navy FFG 51 USS GARY /////// Email from US ARMY SPC Kevin Jones/////////////////// Sent: Apr 11, 2011 5:45 AM Subject: Thank you for the boxes! Everyone was so grateful for the boxes your Girl Scouts sent. I shared them with all of the soldiers I came across today. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, SPC Jones, Kevin /////// News from Santa Maria Girl Scout Ministry/////////////////// Date: Saturday, March 26th, 2011 We now have 13 Overseas Soldiers whom we prepared 40 care packages for on Saturday March 26th! Enjoy the pictures and notes from our Overseas Military!! A very special thanks to all the Girl Scout Troops that made this project a success - Troops 324, 1119, 864, 1134, & 674 and St. Augustine sister Troops 1422, 1280, 1290 & 1291!!  
 
/////// Email from US ARMY Specialist Andrea Perry/////////////////// Date: Mar 25, 2011 10:28 AM Hi! I received a second box today. I especially like the flag rivets. I've never heard of that tradition of turning them into gifts. I cleaned one of them up and added to my dogtag chain. Thanks! SPC Andrea Perry /////// News from Santa Maria Girl Scout Ministry/////////////////// Date: Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 We have 12 Overseas Soldiers Adoptions processed and are working to complete paperwork on another servicewoman. We are busy planning our next Care Packing Event for Saturday March 26th. It's exciting that some emails are coming to the girls from our adopted soldiers. Keep checking back as we will update this webpage as we receive correspondence. Our girls will be carrying the USA flag in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Flagler Beach Florida this weekend, a flag that we received last year from one of our soldiers stationed in Afghanistan that flew on a helicopter mission. The Irish Social Club has organized a fun day of activities that begins with a parade from Santa Maria del Mar parking lot Saturday morning @ 11am. 
St. Patricks Parade! /////// Email from US Navy EN2(SW) Lawrence Lee/////////////////// Date: Mar 14, 2011 7:03 PM Ms. Michele, I'm not sure how to start this email . There is so many things I would like to say. Starting off by, who I am. My name is Lawrence Lee. Currently serving and deployed in the United States Navy, I'd like to thank you for sending me a care package. I am very blessed to have received such a package. It was a very nice gesture. Thank you for boosting the Moral of me and my guys. They are enjoying theses delicious Girl Scout cookies with me. It seems as if you all knew exactly what to send me. I love all the cookies as well as the magazines. I would just like to thank you all very much. Thank you for everything you do and everything I received in my package. I liked the rings from the old retired flags also. That was very cool I have never seen that before. Please send my thanks to all the girls in Santa Maria Girl scout Ministry. Once again thank you for everything you do and God Bless. V/R, EN2(SW) LEE, LAWRENCE USN USS GARY FFG-51 EA Division Leading Petty Officer /////// Email from US ARMY Specialist Andrea Perry/////////////////// Date: Mar 14, 2011 7:19 AM We received the care package your troop sent yesterday. I passed out the boxes of Girl Scout cookies to the other soldiers. Well, I did keep a box of Tagalongs for myself. They are my favorite! The magazines will definitely help pass the down time as well. It's nice to have reminders of home. Thank you so much for thinking of us, SPC Andrea Perry & 1-16 Infantry unit /////// News from Santa Maria Girl Scout Ministry/////////////////// Date: Sun, Feb 27, 2011 We have 11 Overseas Soldiers Adoptions processed and are working to complete paperwork on another 2 servicemen & women. Saturday February 26th we had our first Packing Event where 25 girls prepared 36 care packages with ~250 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, lots of condiments from McDonalds, Houligans and Bob Evans as well as candies donated from lots of well-wishers and very special cards made especially for our 13 adopted overseas soldiers. The girls had a great time preparing to spoil our adopted soldiers and made crafts and received USA tatoos & patriotic Red/Blue hair extensions. Care packages should begin shipping on Wednesday this week.  Awesome girls!
 
 
 
/////// News from US ARMY Specialist Andrea Perry's family/////////////////// Date: Thu, Feb 10, 2011 Our adopted soldier's husband made the local news at the base where their family relocated for her deployment. He's shoveling snow for deployed soldier families with his buddy. See the clip at: Sunflower Heroes: Wayne Perry Here is a picture US ARMY Specialist Andrea Perry's husband shared with us so the girls can see the ladies she is working with as they prepare to be deployed this month to Afghanistan. 
/////// Email from US Navy IT2(SW) Sean Macri /////////////////// Date: Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 8:26 PM Subject: Care Packages Miss Debi, I'm an Information Systems Technician, I work with communications in the 7th fleet. I love computers and video games. I also love to travel, but I would rather be home in the woods. My favorite cookies are by far the mint chocolate but the chocolate coconut rings come in at a close second. I will be sharing this package with a few of my close friends out here that are in the Navy as well, if that is ok. I truly appreciate everything your organization does and I am blessed to be a part of this operation. Thank you very much. Very Respectfully, IT2(SW) Macri, Sean ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
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Pray for Our 2010 Adopted Soldiers
10 care packages shipped 03.15.2010 10 care packages shipped 03.29.2010 10 care packages shipped 04.07.2010 1 priority letter filled with cards sent to 2 Marine brothers 04.07.2010 9 care packages shipped 04.19.2010 9 care packages shipped 04.28.2010 9 care packages shipped 05.29.2010 3 care packages shipped 06.02.2010 |
Fourth Annual Cookies-4-Soldiers Campaign a success!!
April 17th Cookies-4-Soldiers Packing Event An amazing thing happened today at our Cookies-4-Soldiers Packing Event! As the girls were lined up from the Learning Center to my car carrying all of the care packages that they made today, one of our adopted Soldiers CJ Sorenson walked up in uniform to meet and thank the girls. It was quite a moment for all the girls - especially the few that had just personalized CJ's care packages and then they got to meet him in person! CJ was on leave from Iraq for 3 days and drove down with his friend. Father Al was there at that time and gave CJ a special blessing after we sang God Bless America and prayed the Our Father together. It was a special moment that we all shall remember for a very long time. What a wonderful day! 
 
And again we say thank you to the adult volunteers that helped at the packing event, all the girls that came to make cards and prepare the packages for shipping and to the many people whose donations made this special day possible. Thank you to our adopted soldiers for their service protecting the freedoms we enjoy. We will keep posting emails we receive from our adopted soldiers below. God Bless! Michele Coe Coach, Santa Maria Girl Scout Ministry March Cookies-4-Soldiers Packing Event March 19th, 2010 Dear Parishioners, Family and Friends, We are in the middle of our 2010 Cookies-4-Soldiers Campaign and things are going very well. On the left you can see our 10 Adopted Soldiers serving our country overseas in the Middle East, Iraq and Afganistan. We are so appreciative of the sacrifices they make for our freedom each and every day of their military service to our country. Thank you for helping us make this program such a success. Our first round of care packages were shipped out on Monday. Without your donations and support, we could not have had this opportunity to run such a worthy campaign. Look at the smiles on the picture below of all the girls that came to our first Packing event on March 13, 2010. Two of the girls were the daughter of one of our soldiers and the sister of one of our soldiers. It was wonderful to have this program to help them by seeing our gratitude for what their family member is doing by serving our country. We have one more packing event planned for April 17th. Thanks again for your support! The Girl Scouts of Troop #324 
Letters from the Soldiers: /////// Email from Mike Barker /////////////////// Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 I do give you and your Girl Scout Troops permission to adopt me and send a care package. About me: I was born and raised in the Orlando area. I joined the Army immediately after graduation from high school in 1993. I was a crew member on the Abrams tank for 3.5 years. I then switched jobs and became an EOD(Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Technician, aka, Bomb Squad. I have been on the Army Bomb Squad since 1998 and I have been deployed to Afghanistan once and I am currently serving on my fourth deployment to Iraq. Back home in my spare time I love to be on the water with my jet skis. It does not matter if it is the ocean, a lake, or a river. If there is water, I will go! I have two favorite girl scout cookies, Samoas, and the kind that have the strawberry jam in the middle of them. I do not remember what they are called, but we had them while we were over here in 2004, and I have not seen them again. Those would be awesome if you can get ahold of some! LOL I really do appreciate you taking the time to do this, and please tell your girls thank you from the bottom of our hearts! It means so much to know that people still think of us and to know that they care. 
The picture of me in uniform was taken in Mosul, Iraq at our compound. The other picture was taken on Lake Fairview in Orlando. Thanks again, Mike /////// Email from Maj. Mary Severson /////////////////// Subject: Care Package Date: Mar 31, 2010 9:56 AM I just wanted to thank you and the girls for the care package and cookies. I was just going through my emails and noticed that one of my mom’s emails had your address in it. It was very thoughtful of the girls to think of those of us who are serving over here. We do appreciate the support we receive. It does mean a lot. I have the cards posted in my room and I have the cookies put up until Easter (I gave sweets up for Lent). I will bring them out Sunday, hopefully I will get at least one ;) Things here are not as busy as what was projected. Which is always good when you care for wounded soldiers. Thank you once again, Maj Mary Severson 
/////// Email from Maj. Mary Severson /////////////////// Subject: RE: Care Package Date: Apr 1, 2010 3:02 PM This is an article about the group that I work with and what we do here in Afghanistan. The folks that are loading the patients on the ambulance and planes are my folks! I thought that you and your girls would enjoy learning more about aeromedical evacuation. http://www.michaelyon-online.com/whispers.htm thanks again and God bless! Mary /////// Email from Maj. Mary Severson /////////////////// Subject: Care Package Date: Apr 2, 2010 8:01 AM Wishing everyone a Happy Easter. Enclosed is an Easter card that we received. We all love it and hope that you will too:). 
Here is a picture of the cards the girls had sent me that I have posted in my room. 
Wishing you all Easter Ninjas! Love to all, Mary /////// Email from Fraklin Caraballo's Mother /////////////////// Note: Franklin was wounded on patrol April 7th and is being treated in Germany. He will be coming stateside for treatment in Fort Stewart on Friday. We will keep his two lost buddies and their families in our prayers. Subject: latest message from debbie caraballo Date: Apr. 13, 2010 Frank & I would like to THANK everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support through this time.. If it weren't for friends, family and those friends that are like family,we do not think we would have made it thru so easily. When Frankie was asked by Combat stress how he was handling this, he stated: "I am a Christian, I have my faith, God has a reason & God has a plan, my heart goes out to our lost, but I was just another part of the plan" Amen . Thank God for our faith and for all of you! /////// Package from Maj. Mary Severson /////////////////// Date: Apr 26, 2010 GS Troop #324 received a very cool package today from Major Mary Severson with a certificate that certifies that the enclosed USA Flag was flown on a combat Aeromedical Evacuation Mission over Afganistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I can't wait to show the girls this friday at their meeting - they will be excited! 
/////// Email from Maj. Mary Severson /////////////////// Date: Jun 12, 2010 2:53 AM Hi Michele, Kelly, Katina, Brandi, Brandi-Lynn, Christina, Maria, Melissa and Bianca, I received your package today. Thank you. We were actually running low on cookies so perfect timing. Great group picture. It touched me that you will carry the flag in your next parade! I will hope that you will be able to use it often! I remember when I became a Girl Scout myself and the flag was there when I said my oath. That was a long time ago but I hope that you ladies get to have the flag there when you say your Girls Scout oath or receive you badges :) Go girl power! You all touch so many lives in your ministry and you do make a difference here to the deployed soldiers, marines and airman! Knowing that we are appreciated by our counties youth and up and coming leaders makes what we do worth wild! Keep up the good work!! We have a little over a month left. When I get home I will send you more pictures. I got to sit in an Apache helicopter a couple of days ago. That was very cool. It is getting very hot here :( I am told that it can get up to 140 degrees. Can you imagine living in a place that hot? We saw another baby camel spider yesterday. We actually let it go, however later that day then he was found in one ladies PT sock so now we don't have to worry about him getting bigger. Got to go. Love to everyone, Mary | ||||||||
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Pray for Our 2009 Adopted Soldiers
93 care packages shipped 03.23-05.29.2009 Army - Amber Diamond - 14 care packages Sgt Jesses James VanKurin - 6 care packages Thomas Dominessy - 9 care packages TJ Binder - 8 care package SFC Tavares Burton - 6 care packages Coach Leona Brown - 11 care packages Cpl Matthew Bochiardy - 8 care packages Cpl Jonathan W Keen - 10 care packages Spc Derrell Russ - 9 care packages Spc Kevin Jones - 6 care packages Sgt Joe Buccini - 6 care packages
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Third Annual Cookies-4-Soldiers Campaign a success!! April 3rd, 2009 To our SMDM parishioners, We wanted to give you an update as we are sending out another set of “America Supports You” packages to our adopted soldiers. It’s very exciting now as we are starting to get letters from the soldiers and they are most appreciative. We are so blessed to have this opportunity to share this service project with our girls due to the generosity of our wonderful parish. In all we will ship a total of 93 "America Supports You" packages containing 658 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies, condiments donated by McDonalds, local newspapers, penny candies and personalized cards from the girls as well as some cards signed by our parishioners. The overall status is that 25 of our 51 completed packages have shipped. At our last Cookies-4-Soldiers packing event on Saturday April 25th the girls will box up the last ~36 packages. We expect that all the packages will ship by the end of May. This poster is our way of saying Thank You to our generous parish and also a way that we can communicate to you by posting the letters we receive from our Adopted Soldiers. Please keep our 15 Adopted Soldiers in your prayers! May God bless you, Michele Coe Leader Cadette Troop #324 Coach - Santa Maria del Mar Cluster Golden Sands Service Unit , Girl Scouts of Gateway Council Letters from the Soldiers: /////// Email from Derell Russ /////////////////// Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 Subject: thank you Hello i am SPC Russ i received a box of girl scouts cookies in the mail last night and i wanted to tell you thank you very much and to the girls from troops 324..may god bless, bye /////// Email from Leona Brown /////////////////// 09:24 PM 4/7/2009 Hello, This is Coach/SPC Brown. I wanted to send a word of thanks on the behalf of myself and the soldiers of the 715th MP CO. We are very appreciative for the goodies that you sent us. Thank you for your committment and sacrifice in supporting us as we continue to do and complete the mission that has been given to us. Once again thank you for your acts of kidness and consideration towards us. Very Respectfully, Leona "Coach" Brown /////// Email from Jonathan Keen/////////////////// 8 April 2009 Sorry for the late response, I am currently on a naval vessel and as you can tell from the news theres alot going on out here at the moment. Thank you for everything that you guys are doing. When a box of girl scout cookies gets here, its like christmas morning for the marines. We really appreciate it. My wife moved back to St. Augustine until I can return to the states, im sure she would love to meet the girls and help out anyway that she can. If you guys need a hand with anything please let me know and ill give her some information. Tell the girls thank you and God bless. Much love. Cpl Keen /////// Email from Sgt. Buccini /////////////////// 10:39 AM 5/29/2009 Thank you again, I sent another e-mail to you moments ago. If any of your girls have any questions please have feel free to ask. | ||||||||
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2008 Pray for our Overseas Military 872 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies sent via Orlando & Jax Navy Reserves & Soldier program in Lutz |
2nd Annual Cookies-4-Soldiers Campaign Delivered the following through our contacts: 25 cases 3/6/08 to Navy Reserves NOSC-Orl 25 cases 4/9 to Navy Reserves NOSC-Jax 17.67 cases (272 boxes) 4/11 to Lutz, Florida Thank you to our SMDM parishioners & other donars that made this possible! | ||||||||
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Celebrate Our Red, White & Blue!! 
Our Girl Scout Cookies from Home campaign
God Bless America!!
Troop 324 Juniors
God Bless the men and women serving our country!! |
/////// Email from Louis D'Angelo /////////////////// Sent Thu 3/22/2007 Hello, I am one of the 557 members here at Al Asad. I want to thank you and all of those who participated and coordinated in the sending of Girl Scout cookies to MSgt. Judd. He has been very generous with them. I cannot tell you the joy I felt when boxes of cookies, especially my favorite, Thin Mints, showed up. I knew something was missing this time of year, and they were it. My daughter is a Girl Scout, so the whole cookie thing is a prominent yearly event. I am sure you can imagine that any taste of home (pun intended) is appreciated. Thanks again, Louis D'Angelo /////// Email from J NELSON McLEOD III, Lt Col, USAF /////////////////// Sent Wed 3/21/2007 Ms Dickinson, Thanks for the efforts of you and the group who sent MSgt Mike Judd 300 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies. As everyone knows, they are a great American tradition and a great tradition among deployed military members. I am the son and the husband of former Girl Scout cookie coordinators and remember many days with garages full of cookies being issued out to the girls. If you work with MSgt Judd, I do not have to tell you what a great individual he is and how much he means to our team here. Thanks again for your support of our troops! Nelson McLeod J NELSON McLEOD III, Lt Col, USAF Al Asad Spoke Commander 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron /////// Email from Jeraline A. Humphrey, TSgt /////////////////// Sent Wed 3/21/2007 Thank you so very much for the cookies. What a bright and cheery way to remember us way over here. Girl Scout cookies are always a treat, any time and every year. Everyone was smiling and extremely happy to see something which means so much of home in Iraq. Thank you again for thinking of us. Jeraline A. Humphrey, TSgt Information Manager\Communications\Operations 557ERHS/USAF Al Asad, Iraq /////// Email from Staff Sgt. A. Dominguez /////////////////// Sent Wed 3/21/2007 Hello Girl Scouts and Mrs. Dickinson, I am writing in regards to the many thanks that we would like to give you all for the girl scout cookies. Though they added a few pounds on to many of us, we were very impressed with the amount that there was and delight it brought us all. So once again I would like to thank you all from here Al Asad, Iraq. Keep up the good work. Staff Sgt. A. Dominguez 144th Civil Engineer Squadron Fresno, Ca PS: I have included a special piture for you all to enjoy. Good bye and god bless. 
/////// Email from Judd, Michael W MSgt 557 ERHS /////////////////// Sent Tue 3/20/2007 I received 7 of the 8 boxes of cookies yesterday. The other one will probably be along in a day or two. Thank you very much for your generosity. I've been giving them out all day and the troops love them. Several would like to send e-mails thanking the donors. Can they e-mail you? Thanks again...Mike |
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