newsletter - Operation Adopt A Soldier

NEWSLETTER
MID-MARCH 2016
IN THIS ISSUE OF OUR NEWSLETTER:
•
Major Contributors to OAAS
•
Listing of Donations
•
Correspondence from our Troops
•
Activities, Events & Fundraisers
•
Upcoming Events (Please consider helping out!)
•
What OAAS Does in the Community
•
What You Can Do to Help
•
Pictures of OAAS in the Community
•
Miscellaneous:
►
Executive Committee and Board of Director Members
►
Dates of Upcoming Meetings
►
Contact Information
►
OAAS Building Location and Hours
* * * * * *
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2
MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO OAAS
The following have been most generous to Operation Adopt A Soldier, Inc. in
many ways. Please be sure to give your support to these businesses/
organizations.
http://www.saratoganational.com/
http://www.saratogaeagle.com/
Latham ~~ Queensbury ~~ Saratoga
http://www.nemermotorgroup.com/
3
MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO OAAS
(continued)
Schenectady, New York
http://iue-cwalocal301.org/index.cfm
250 Glen Street, Glens Falls, New York
http://www.gfnational.com/
Adirondack Girl Scouts Council, Queensbury
Arvin Hart Fire Company, Stillwater
http://arvinhart.org/
4
MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO OAAS
(continued)
https://cseany.org/csea-retiree-members/
5
DONATIONS
(IF YOUR NAME ISN’T LISTED HERE FOR THIS TIME PERIOD,
PERIOD,
LOOK FOR IT IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER)
•
American Legion in Chatham, Unit 42
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Bly, Eugenia (2 donations)
•
Brandt, Richard
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Bressette, Sharon
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Clifton Park BPOE Lodge, Ladies Auxiliary #2466
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Community Exchange Foundation
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Donovan, Julie
•
Farrell, Mary
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Girl Scouts of Northeastern NY, Troop 3530
•
Gosselin, Nicole
•
Grace Brandow
•
Hoenig, Joan
•
Hook, Joanne & Paul
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Kane, Rev. James
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Ladies Philoptochos Society, Greek Orthodox Church in Schenectady
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Madison, Debra
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Maguire, Donald
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Marchione, Kathy
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McAvoy, SGM Robert
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Miller, Ron
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Mosher, Kathy & Don
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Mulkerrin, Patrick
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Northeast Hot Air RVers
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Northern Whitetail Scents, Inc
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NYSCOBA, Albany
•
Roche, Linda
•
Rockett, Charles (2 donations)
•
Sifka, Cheryl
•
Sifka, Cristopher
•
Taylor, Robert
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CORRESPONDENCE FROM OUR TROOPS
To Whom It May Concern:
Let me first just say how much of a blessing this program has been for me during my
deployment. Your dedication to this cause does not go unnoticed nor unappreciated and I
personally am very grateful. That said, I’d like to remove my name/address from the list
as I’ve received more packages than I need and can share, from this program and my own
family, and would like to see these resources be better distributed to others who need
them. Again, thank you so much for what you’re doing. God Bless.
~~~~~
ALCON,
Thank you so much for the care packages, it was well received. I appreciate all the you
are doing for us here stationed in Afghanistan. Please see the attached photos of me.
Please also to make sure that everyone in your organization sees this email, thank you.
7
CORRESPONDENCE FROM OUR TROOPS (cont.)
(cont.)
Good Morning,
I hope this finds you well. I want to say thank you for your continued support in sending
my unit care packages. We are scheduled to depart in the next few weeks.
~~~~~
Hello Cliff.
I just received a very generous care package from your organization. My office and I truly
appreciate what you and others do for the military. Not only do we enjoy the contents, but
the letters and well wishes from folks back home.
I suspect my name was added to the list by Ellen from Books for Troops. I just wanted to
let you know that I am re-deploying in mid-January. Therefore, it's best to remove my
name from the list at this time. However, I do have a nomination in return. I have a
wonderful colleague who, in all the time I've been here, has not received any packages. He
is the type of person who will help without being asked and will do the lowliest task without
complaint.
Thank you again for all you do! You make a difference!
~~~~~
Mr. Sequin,
I want to thank you and your organization for providing a Troop Care Package that
recently arrived in our office here in Kabul, Afghanistan. Our office is in the NATO
Headquarters of Resolute Support (RS) and our primary mission to advise and assist the
Afghan government as they work to create effective institutions for self government.
The 22 of us who work here in the CJ6 or coalition joint information systems represent
several countries: US, Romania, Lithuania, Belgium, France, Poland, Bulgaria, Canada,
Australia, and Great Britain. Thank you again for the package!
~~~~~
Operation adopt a soldier,
I wanted to write and say thank you so much for the support you are showing my team and
I! The care packages you have sent have made a world of difference in daily life here in
Afghanistan, and we all appreciate them more than you know! We put in a lot of long hours
8
CORRESPONDENCE FROM OUR TROOPS (cont.)
(cont.)
here and it is so nice to receive support packages that connect us back with the normal
world from time to time. Thank you for taking the time to show us that we are supported
back home! We find a use for every single item included in the boxes. Again, thank you so
much for your support!
~~~~~
Operation Adopt a Soldier,
My team and I received your care packages today in the mail and wanted to write back to
you to say thank you! It was very thoughtful of you to take the time to put together all
those items and write us to thank us, and we appreciate it a lot. You guys are amazing!
Things over here are busy, and the foods not too bad, so we are staying positive! Its
people like you that keep us going, so keep up the support! All of us miss our families and
are trying to do the right thing by being over here so we appreciate people like you! I hope
you like the picture of our team I attached! Merry Christmas! [SEE FOLLOWING PAGE
FOR PICTURE OF TEAM]
9
CORRESPONDENCE FROM OUR TROOPS (cont.)
(cont.)
~~~~~
I would like to thank the Operation Adopt A Soldier INC and Blue Star Moms and your
organizations for their effort and untiring gifts to the thousand of troops that are currently
located in Harms way.
I cannot begin to tell you how much it means to all of our troops to received a care package from
home it does help to see and realized that America has not forgotten the men, woman of the Arm
Services and US Civilians Federal Workers and Contractors that work side by side with the
military to make our families lives a little bit saver.
So yes we make a sacrificed and we are miles from any form of civilization, but when these pallets
of goodies come in, we all get giddy like 10 year old kids.
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CORRESPONDENCE FROM OUR TROOPS (cont.)
(cont.)
We have a resemblance of a normal Christmas for that one particular day so for than I salute you
and all your helpers and volunteers.
You are serving your country with your volunteerism and for that we salute you.
Please be sure to make all the kids aware that we do read there cards and we also use them for
decorations in our offices, rooms and dormitories and we hang them on trees. To the children all
over the US we give them a special salute for Volunteerism and their kindness and thoughtfulness,
they will someday be the heroes that may be called to duty.
Hopefully if they are called they will make the right decision for them whether it be join the
service run for political office, volunteer fire department or become a teacher the work that they
are doing now will prepared them for a bright fulfilling future rich with volunteerism.
I hope that all the kids will continue to help, in any way they can for a noble cause that will be
fulfilling and satisfying to them . That is why I continue to work beside our great military with the
knowledge that all great things come with sacrifice.
May God continue to bless you and please continue to keep us in your daily prays as we move
forward for a better tomorrow and beyond.
~~~~~
I had wanted to take this time and say thank you for all the supplies and items sent to the
soldiers here while deployed, many of my soldier is there first time being away from home
and to see how communities and organizations as yours come together during this time has
brought great joy to the team we all thank you and is very grateful to all you have done
thank again.
~~~~~
Dear Team Adopt a Soldier,
We here at the Joint Visitors Bureau, Kabul Afghanistan would like to thank all of you for
the amazing support you have provided us over the holidays. We are so very happy to have
real people at home that care for us and support the troops.
It's a bonus to tell you guys that we work here as a coalition team. The military from
other countries are very surprised to see the generosity us Americans have for the
11
CORRESPONDENCE FROM OUR TROOPS (cont.)
(cont.)
troops. Some other countries we work with do not even have a mail system in place to
receive mail from their country at all.
We love the cards sent by grade schoolers and the Scouts and hand written cards from
everyone. I hung card all over the office as decorations and when people come in they read
and sometimes laugh at the translation of first and second grade grammar.
Everything you guys send is a blessing. I know that the items are for the troops but when
we visit local schools and orphanages we take candy and things to help brake the tension
sometimes caused by language gap. Candy will bring a smile to any child's face. Hope you
guys are able to view the attached pictures.
Thanks again and my you all be blessed this new year, as we are to have each one of you.
~~~~~
First and foremost, I would like to thank all of you for your generosity and all of your
efforts. I can speak on behalf of all the Soldiers that we appreciate everything you've done
and continue to do for all of us. Many Thanks!!!
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CORRESPONDENCE
CORRESPONDENCE FROM OUR TROOPS (cont.)
(cont.)
To Operation Adopt a Soldier,
I have not been as diligent and timely in providing feedback to boxes received. I do
apologize for the delayed reply as I had recently returned from a mission in Southern
Afghanistan. My colleagues mentioned they received a total of a whopping 22 boxes from
your organization. I want to personally thank you and your team's continuous support to
our mission in Afghanistan. Most of the goodies went out to various "essential functions"
offices on Camp Resolute Support here in Central Kabul. We have also sent several boxes
to outlying areas and NATO troops at an adjacent camp which was attacked. The explosion
damaged several barracks where soldiers reside and provisions provided made a huge
difference in the quality of life for those who were affected.
Please pass this information to those who have committed precious their resources, time,
and energy to support our mission and to make life a little easier. We all can't wait to
return home to our families and each one of those boxes reminds us a little bit of home.
Kudos to your unwavering crew and we here in Afghanistan under Operation Resolute
Support, Deputy Chief of Staff-Security Assistance, Combined Security Transition
Command - Afghanistan, Essential Function 2 Transparency, Accountability, and Oversight
appreciates what you do. We admire your selfless service the same way as you admire
ours. Please pass this along this heartfelt letter to those in the trenches that we are
grateful, and appreciate their continual support. Please let us know if there is anything we
can do on this end for your organization. Please take care and God bless America
ACTIVITIES/EVENTS/
ACTIVITIES/EVENTS/F
EVENTS/FUNDRAISERS
UNDRAISERS
OAAS Chairman (Cliff) and Co-Chairman (Red), as well as the many volunteers who
share their time, have participated in some way with the following activities.
(Please consider helping out at some of the upcoming events also listed below!)
December:
• 12/14 – Monthly Members’ Meeting 6:30pm was held at the Building; drawing
for the Southwest Airlines tickets was held at this meeting
• 12/31 – Happy New Year at the Saratoga Visitor Center
• 12/31 – Cliff and OAAS members were at the Glens Falls Civic Center with an
info table and basket raffle table
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ACTIVITIES/EVENTS/FUNDRAISERS
ACTIVITIES/EVENTS/FUNDRAISERS (continued)
(continued)
January:
• 1/4 - Monthly Members’ Meeting was held at the Building @6:30pm
February:
• 2/17 - Board of Directors Meeting was held at the Building @6:45pm
UPCOMING EVENTS
March:
• 3/7 - Monthly Members’ Meeting was held at the Building @6:30pm
April:
• 4/4 – Monthly Members’ Meeting to be held at the Building @6:30pm
• 4/9 – Bowl for a Soldier, Granville @ 11:00am
• 4/10 – Bus Trip to Turning Stone Casino
• 4/16 Adirondack Sportsman’s Alliance Dinner at 5:00pm
May:
•
•
•
5/2 – Monthly Members’ Meeting to be held at the Building @6:30pm
5/22 – Hike for Hope up Prospect Mountain
5/28 – Putting flags on graves at the Saratoga National Cemetery
June:
•
•
•
6/2 – Vietnam Memorial Wall, Town of Halfmoon at the Park
6/6 – Members’ Monthly Meeting to be held at the Building at 6:30p
6/11 – Flag Day Parade in Saratoga
July:
•
•
•
•
7/2 – Firecracker 4 Race in Saratoga
7/4 – Argyle Parade
7/9 – Wilton Parkfest from 9am to 5pm
7/23 – CTW pack-up at 9 am
August:
• 8/22-28 – Washington County Fairgrounds
September:
• 9/11 – Phil Hoyt Concert in the Park, 12-3pm
October:
• 10/16 – set up the haunted house
• 10/21, 22, 28 & 29 – Harvest Event
November:
• 11/6 – Honor Our Veterans event at Fortune’s Restaurant, Saratoga
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WHAT OAAS DOES IN THE
THE COMMUNITY ?
•
Members and volunteers pack-up and send care packages to our soldiers throughout the
year.
•
We enlist the help of children from schools, churches and various civic organizations to
send cards, letters of thanks, holiday greetings and letters of comfort to our soldiers.
•
We support family members of our military through our Family Readiness Program, where
soldiers, Marines and military families get together to just talk or converse about
problems/situations in their families. They meet at either the OAAS building or a local
church that we are involved with.
•
We host a variety of events to raise awareness and funds; for example: rallies, spaghetti
dinners, hot dog sales, strawberry socials, dances, auctions, raffles, etc.
•
We provide 6 qualifying high school seniors from different high schools with a $250
scholarship.
•
Members and volunteers travel to airports to provide a “welcome home” to our soldiers.
•
We maintain a volunteer-base of plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and computer
specialists; we also have volunteers to provide car care, financial advice, counseling and
referrals to support groups.
•
We give presentations to churches, schools, youth groups, civic organizations, etc.
•
We support other veterans’ organizations.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
Send a monetary donation to help
cover the cost of mailing a care package.
It currently costs about $16 per box to mail to our troops. Click here to make a donation on
our website or go to www.operationadoptasoldier.org and click on the “Donate” button.
Additionally, you can send a check, payable to Operation Adopt A Soldier, Inc., to 4281 Route
50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Donate items for our care packages!
Go to our website at www.operationadoptasoldier.org and click on “Items Needed” in upper
right-hand corner for a list of items you can buy for the soldiers. Donations can be brought to
OAAS’ Building at 4281 Rt. 50, Saratoga Springs or to one of our many drop-off locations (they
can also be found on OAAS’ website -- click on “Drop Off Sites” in the upper right-hand corner.
15
PICTURES OF OAAS IN THE COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
12.2.15 – Girl Scout Troop 3530 of So. Glens Falls
Two young ladies from Troop 3530 selling tickets for the Free
Dessert Night the troop organized to collect donations for
soldiers.
Right: Some of the donated desserts being
offered for sale to raise money for OAAS to help
with mailing of care packages to the troops.
Bottom Left: Selling magnets to raise money for
the troops.
Bottom Right: Two animated youngsters from
Troop 3530 providing writing materials for letter
writing to the troops!
16
PICTURES OF OAAS IN THE COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
12.2.15 – Girl Scout Troop 3530 of So. Glens Falls
Some of the donations from the event
Sorting through the many donations
Some of the girls proudly counting monetary
donations
MANY THANKS to Girl Scout
Troop 3530 for all their efforts!
17
MISCELLANEOUS
MISCELLANEOUS
Executive
Committee
Board of Directors
Board Members
Cliff Seguin
Founder
Chairman of
OAAS
Chuck Gerber
Past-President
Thomas Hatlee
Military Mentor
Gordon Dilmore, President
Sharon Gilbert
Red Lucas
Co-Chairman
Susan Scanlon, Vice-President
Jason Gilbert
Meleah Vannier, Treasurer
Meleah Vannier
Karen P. Layman, Secretary
Lynette Dilmore
Lynette Dilmore, Bookkeeper
Sherry Fabian
Sherry Fabian
Treasurer
Sharon Gilbert
Secretary
David Lion
Lynette Dilmore
Bookkeeper
Miscellaneous Information
•
Please consider making a monetary donation. Go to our website at
www.operationadoptasoldier.org to make an online donation or mail or bring your check -payable to Operation Adopt A Soldier, Inc. -- to any branch of the Glens Falls National Bank
or the Saratoga National Bank.
•
If you have any family or friends that are deployed that you’d like us to add to our
distribution list, go to our website at www.operationadoptasoldier.org and click on the
“Deployed Soldier Sign-up Form” in the upper right-hand corner and fill in the information
needed.
•
Anyone wishing to advertise their business or organization in our newsletter, the cost
is $50 for 4 months (1 quarter). Please send an email to
[email protected].
•
To submit any ideas or material for the next newsletter, contact Cliff at 260-9922 or
[email protected].
•
Please forward this newsletter to family, friends and any deployed soldiers you think
would enjoy receiving it. You can also send e-mail addresses for us to add to our
distribution list to [email protected].
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MISCELLANEOUS
(continued)
Meeting Calendar
Members’ Meeting @ 6:30 PM
(first Monday of each month; subject to change)
Board of Director’s Meeting
(Board meets four times a year)
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Operation Adopt A Soldier, Inc.
4281 Route 50
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Cliff Seguin @518.260.9922 or 518.306-7507
Email: [email protected]
OAAS E-mail: [email protected]
OAAS Website: www.operationadoptasoldier.org
On Facebook: Operation Adopt A Soldier
Building Location and Hours
4281 Route 50 in Town of Wilton
(3 miles north of Northway Exit 15)
Building is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:00am to Noon