Operation Zipper Pouch

May is Military Appreciate Month.  I want to THANK our Vets for all that they have done and do for us every day. I want to show those who have come home after serving our country and have been forgotten that we appreciate their sacrifices for us.

When was the last time that you thanked a service man or woman?  Bought them a cup of coffee for no reason.  For me despite the fact that I “heard” the stories from my dad and step-dad about their time serving our country, it never really clicked.  I never really thought about how it directly affected me.

Then came “Operation Freedom” some 15 years ago.  This is when the commitment of our military men and women and their families HIT HOME! My best friend’s husband, Bill, was deployed for what they said would be 30 days. There were the 3 boys – Sean, Ryan and Shane as well as Jen who were all in school, active in various activities and not really understanding what would be dad’s first deployment. The days leading up to Bill’s deployment were filled with lots of paperwork – wills, living wills, etc. The weeks after Bill left were full of emotions – tears, anger, frustration – it was just too hard for the kids to understand that dad wouldn’t be home for awhile. A 30 day deployment turned into 6 months. Tough times for everyone – financially and emotionally.

When Bill returned home, there were struggles.  Not just financially but emotionally for everyone.  There would develop a new sense of normal in the house.  It was then that I realized what the battle scars of war were all about –   the toughest was the emotional toll which leaves a permanent mark.  On the outside, all may be well but on the inside they carry memories that will haunt them forever.

Over the last five years, with the help of my family, friends, customers and hostesses, I have been blessed to make donations to various causes near and dear to my heart.  So, I am again asking for your help to make a difference in the lives of the men and women who have protected our freedoms.

For just $25 you can sponsor a personalized Zipper Pouch. I will use 100% of my commission to fill them with candy, trail mix, gum, crossword puzzle book, a thank you card and a small American flag. My goal is 31 zipper pouches sponsored by April 28th.  The bags will be stuffed and delivered to a local program that works with Veterans and their family.   Payments can be sent via Paypal to hopesgiftcloset@comcast.net – you don’t need to have a Paypal account to do this.  If you want, I can invoice you, it that is easier.

So, who is with me? For $25 you can bring a smile to the face of one of our honored Veterans.

If you see someone in the military – stop and thank them, let them know that you appreciate what they are doing for this country.  Remember to STOP and say a prayer asking for the safety of our men and women near and far who serve this country.  Won’t you help to make a difference today?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

WooHoo Wednesday In Honor of Our Veterans

Veterans Day is an official United States holiday that honors people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, also known as veterans.

Today, I want to thank those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. I want to thank the dedicated soldiers at home and deployed across the seas for defending our freedom. I want to thank the families of these dedicated men and women – see they pay the ultimate price too as they share their loved ones with us. Life for a military family isn’t easy either so today I honor them too for their service.

My dad served in the Army. He never really talked a lot about it but I do know that he changed his birthdate on his birth certificate so that he could join the Army. It one of those stories that we always wondered if it was true. My dad is great for TALL tales….. I never really knew many in the military growing up.

I do remember one year that we had a few soldiers come for a holiday dinner. Dad picked them up and they spent the whole day with us while they enjoyed a home cooked meal. Then I would have to fast-forward to my next real encounter with the military – enter my best friend – Steph, her hubby – Bill and their kids – Jen, Sean, Ryan and Shane. Our families become melded into one during Bill’s deployment during Operation Freedom. It was my first up close and personal experience of the sacrifices made by our military and their families.

Now, my nephew, Jimmy, is stationed at Guantanamo Bay for the next 6 months – I am again faced with the reality of the sacrifices made by our military men and women along with their families.

This day is for you… if you should see someone from the military today, thank them. Better yet, buy them a cup of coffee or lunch. What better way to thank them for their selfless service that with a random act of kindness.

As for me, I will be again doing OPERATION ZIPPER POUCH…For just $23 you can sponsor a Zipper Pouch personalized with USA HERO. I will use ALL of my commission to fill them with mints, candy, trail mix, gum, crossword puzzle book, a thank you card and a small American flag. My goal is 31 zipper pouches sponsored by November 30th. Yes, that is only 15 days away but I have faith in all of you. The bags will be shipped out so that they arrive around the holidays to show our military men and women how much we appreciate them.

So, who is with me? For $23 you can bring a smile to the face of some one who is far from home defending our freedoms. This project is near and dear to my heart – for my nephew and as a reminder of the days and nights spent with my best friend and her 4 kids while her hubby did TWO tours in Bagram during Operation Freedom.

Payments can be made via check or through Paypal at hopesgiftcloset@@comcast.net. If you don’t have Paypal, I will be happy to invoice you.  Won’t you help to make a difference today?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

#gratitudeformilitary

A Memorial Day Tribute

Happy Memorial Day! For some today is an extra day off. For others it is spending time with family and friends kicking off the summer season…Today is really about remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Those who gave their lives so that we might live in freedom. It is about celebrating the lives of those who dedicated themselves to serving our country and who returned home to their families.

Growing up Memorial Day was just another day off from school. As a Girl Scout, we marched in the parades but the true significance of the day was beyond my understanding. The Vietnam War (okay so I am showing my age),  still it didn’t touch my heart. My dad and step-dad both served in the military – I have listed to their tales but yet it never really sunk in.

“Operation Freedom” some 10 plus years ago, the commitment of the military men and women and their families HIT HOME!  My best friend’s husband, Bill, was deployed for what they said would be 30 days. There were the 3 boys – Sean, Ryan and Shane as well as Jen who were all in school, active in various activities and not really understanding what would be dad’s first deployment. The days leading up to Bill’s leaving were filled with lots of paperwork – wills, living wills, etc. The weeks after Bill left were full of emotions – tears, anger, frustration – it was just too hard for the kids to understand that dad wouldn’t be home for awhile. A 30 day deployment turned into 6 months. Tough times for everyone – financially and emotionally.

When Bill returned home, we all attended the Memorial Day parade together. It took on a whole new meaning for me. It wasn’t just about a day off from work or school, it was a day to honor those who sacrifice their lives daily for us whether here or abroad. I am grateful for the men and women in the military, past, present and future who give their all so that we can live in freedom. The battle scars of war worn by these men and women are not always seen for the emotional toll that it takes on them and their families leaves a permanent mark. On the outside, all may be well but on the inside they carry the memories that will haunt them forever.

If you see someone in the military – stop and thank them, let them know that you appreciate what they are doing for this country. Check out my blog “Coupons for Our Troops” on a way that you can help our military families by simply cutting coupons. As the sun rises on Memorial Day, STOP and say a prayer asking for the safety of our men and women near and far who serve this country. Yes, you may have the day off from work or school and you may be able to enjoy barbecues with friends and family – but there are those in the military who don’t get a day off.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Operation Zipper Pouch

As you all know, one of my biggest WHYs with Thirty One is giving back to the community.

With the help of my family, friends, customers and hostesses, I have blessed to be able to make donations to various causes that have been near and dear to my heart.  As a team, we have donated to the Pediatrics Unit at Ocean Medical Center, Enchanted Makeovers (a program for women in homeless shelters), back to school bags to Hawthorne House, and our latest random act of kindness was Chemo Comfort Bags for those in treatment at Ocean Medical Center.

For just $23 you can sponsor a Zipper Pouch personalized.  I will use ALL of my commission to fill them with mints, candy, trail mix, gum, crossword puzzle book, a thank you card and a small American flag.  My goal is 31 zipper pouches sponsored by April 28th.  Yes, that is only 14 days away but I have faith in all of you.  The bags will be shipped out so that they arrive before the end of May to show our military men and women how much we appreciate them.

So, who is with me? For $23 you can bring a smile to the face of some one who is far from home defending our freedoms.  This project is near and dear to my heart. My nephew is a recent boot camp graduate and I am reminded of the days and nights spent with my best friend and her 4 kids while her hubby did TWO tours in Bagram during Operation Freedom which is what prompted me to get busy.

Payments can be made via check or through Paypal at hopesgiftcloset@@comcast.net. If you don’t have Paypal, I will be happy to invoice you.

Won’t you help to make a difference today?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

#operationzipperpouch #military #army #randomactofkindness #partywithHope

Happy Memorial Day!

For some today is an extra day off.  For others it is spending time with family and friends in an effort to kick off the summer season…Today is really about remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Those who gave their lives so that we might live in freedom. It is also about celebrating the lives of those who dedicated themselves to serving our country and who returned home to their families.

I hate to say this but I was never one to really think about what this holiday really meant UNTIL my best friends husband was deployed as part of Operation Freedom.  It was then that I found myself really understanding the sacrifices made not only my our military men and women but those of their families.

Being a part of Thirty One, I have had the pleasure of meeting many military wives and I blessed to be a part of a company that gives back on a variety of levels.  Not only does Thirty One ship to APO/FPO but they also donate product and funds to support our troops across the country.

Working in WaWa part-time, I have come to know more men who have been in the military as well as those who are now serving.  I love being able to thank them for their service to our country in a small way – even if it is with just FREE cup of coffee.

There is also another GREAT way to help our military families with coupons – current and expired (less than 3 months old). Did you know that military families can use coupons in the PX that are up to 6 months past the expiration date?  I have been working with the Cranford VFW for some time to collect expired (and current) coupons to share with our military families across the country.  A small thing that means so much to them.

As you are out and about today, if you see some of these courageous men and women.  Thank them for their sacrifices to ensure that we live in a country that is free.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!