I've haven't posted here in ages (I like the new digs btw), but something has come up and I'm here to ask for help.  I'm not an HH6, just to refresh your memory, but a member of p.net introduced me here a couple of years ago.  Life since then has taken strange turns which cut back considerably on my online time.

I'm here because I belong to Adopt-A-Platoon and just received a specific request from help from them.

There's a platoon out there with about 60 female members and they need "stuff."  Please read below and, if you can help, contact me for me info.  For security reasons, I've omitted the POC's information.  If you can help out, you can either send items to me, or join www.adoptaplatoon.org.  Please, please understand that I'm being extra careful not to reveal contacts; this is a proviso of being an AAP member.

Todays mailing from AAP:

"All of you have been awesome in supporting them and letting them know they are cared about and definitely not forgotten by the American people.  We again have another request from a platoon of about 165 troops – 60 of which are females.  Their unit is constantly being mortared and because they are in a remote area – the food is hot from the heat – and many have become sick from it.  If you could send a one-time care package to this group, they would be so grateful.  PFC N**** R*** will be the POC for this group and they will be deployed until January 2005 (in case you wanted to send a holiday box for them as well):

(POC omitted)

Some things they are requesting:  Saltine Crackers, Beef sausage
sticks, Tuna in pouches/ Pop Top cans, Tostitos chips, any type of
non-refrigerated meals, canned ravioli, gum, juices (Capri Sun),
powdered drink mixes, white gym socks, ladies underwear (sizes 6-9),
tampons, sanitary pads, extra strength Tylenol (menstrual cramps),
soft toilet paper, candy, hot chocolate. 

AS THE WEATHER begins to change in the Middle East, it will soon be
colder at night.  Some suggested cold-weather items are:
Hot chocolate, instant coffee, instant tea, spiced cider, fleece
throw, dark knitted caps, warm socks and hand warmers."

Obviously, I can't afford to send for all 60 women, but I was hoping that some of you might consider sending one box of tampons or package of napkins to me that I may forward on to them.  Anything else you would consider sending is most gratefully appreciated (I know underwear is STILL in short supply), but I would think our women need the personal hygiene stuff most.

Please be assured none of this is for me.  I'm 52 years old and had my tubing yanked 5 years ago.  (And now am blissfully free!!) 

If you can do more than one item, won't you consider joining AAP to adopt a single soldier, or more if you can?  But this is a special-needs situation that sometimes crops up, and I always reach out to the wider community.  Rest assured, all my writing mailists and soaping mailists are being hit with this request as well.

Thanks so much for reading this far.    I hope to hear from some of you.

Nora Bock - heathentart@graffiti.net