And. . . that's all folks!!!

I shipped the last boxes today. Last week I shipped 47 APO flat rate boxes and 3 big boxes. This week I shipped 3 APO flat rate boxes and 3 big boxes. For a grand total of 50 APO flat rate boxes and 6 big boxes shipped!!!!!!! And the best part was that is ended up costing right around $750 to pack and ship everything, which is probably the most I've ever spent or will ever spend at the post office (and also resulted in the longest reciepts I've ever received, well anywhere). When the workers at the post office saw us come in with two carts full of boxes last week I'm sure they were each hoping they wouldn't get stuck going through all the boxes. It's a lot of work to mail stuff to an APO because you have to fill out the customs paperwork too and the postal worker has to stamp each paperwork about 4-5 times and then put it in a clear envelope stuck to the outside of the box. May I just say that the postal worker who helped me with the 50 boxes last week did it all with a smile and I'm grateful for that.

So Dollars for Drawers is officially over. It ended up being a bigger project that I anticipated, but it was a lot of fun and I learned a lot doing it. Probably the most important thing I learned is that most people want to help the troops but aren't often presented with a direct way to go about doing it. I appreciate every one of you who donated and I'm positive that the soldiers in the hospital that it ends up in Iraq will appreciate not having to wear the hideous hospital gowns! Thank you all for your support.

The Results are in!!

As you can see from the side bar, we collected A LOT of stuff! That is awesome! Here are a few pictures for you to see for yourself. Currently I have 47 flat rate APO boxes filled and three larger boxes. I know there are a couple more donations trickling in too. I am planning to ship what I have on Saturday and see what that ends up costing and then figure out how much of the leftover money will go to buying more stuff and how much will need to go to shipping that stuff.

The Pile!

The Pile from another angle

Stack of boxes all packed up

New News

Well I just talked to the State Family Program coordinator. It appears that they offered to pay for shipping, however they weren't expecting to get the volume of donations that you all were able to come up with. What this means is that, depending on what the other families come up with and what the Family Program budgeted, some of the money may have to end up going to shipping. It's definitely not the end of the world since that was how it was going to be in the beginning. It's for a good reason though!! You all have blown away any expectations I had about this project and come up with more donations than I really expected. That is AWESOME!

Wow!

All I really have to say is, Wow!! I cannot believe the response this has been getting! At work they set up donation boxes at every entrance. I peeked in one of the boxes today and there were already 4 bags full of stuff in it. My front room is slowly being taken over by boxes and bags of stuff. Once I have everything gathered I will take a picture and post it here so you all can get an idea of how great the response has been. I've raised over $300 and I have hundreds of shirts, and quite a few undies, slippers/flip-flops, socks and blankets too.

When I go to give the Family Program my (our) stuff to ship I think they are going to be very surprised!

Great News!

I was starting to wonder how in the world I was going to be able to ship all of this stuff. Well I got my answer this morning. The State Family Program is paying to ship all the donations. This means that all of the money donated will go to buying real things rather than any of it paying for shipping!!! The other families in my husband's unit are also donating and collecting so I think we might just surprise the commander with the amount of material he receives!!!!

Also, they mentioned that underwear (both men's and women's) is the highest need.

Busy Day Yesterday

Yesterday we broke $100 in donations and I also received my first actual item donation, two pairs of slippers! This is actually turning out to be much bigger than I expected and I am so impressed with the kindness that I have seen in people's hearts. Thanks to all who have donated so far and to all who have yet to donate!!!!!!

We are on our way!

I have received the first donation to this cause (well besides my own)! I'm very excited that we will be able to help out these soldiers more than I could ever do on my own. Thanks!