| | Dear Soldiers' Angel, I'm in big trouble this month. I will have to cut back our Christmas Stockings for the troops, unless I hear from you and my other most loyal friends. I urgently need to hear back from you right now –- today if possible. You see, I have to hear right away if we'll have the support we need to continue our plans to send Christmas Gift Stockings to our soldiers overseas, full of "comfort items" and phone cards to call home while separated from loved ones on Christmas Day. Last year, shipping alone for these gifts was over $350,000! As you can imagine, shipping into desert areas in Iraq and Afghanistan - - some of them decimated - - is very costly. As of today, I don't have the funds I need to continue. That's why I'm writing and asking you please, once again, can you help a lonely soldier overseas during the holidays? As you know, I have to have these funds in place well before Christmas so I can assemble these packages and get them shipped in time. Right now I am in big trouble. We don't have the funds we need to get these needed Holiday comfort items to our men and women sacrificing for us overseas. If you can't help, perhaps you could give me some advice: Should I just give up on caring and loving these soldiers and quit trying to make their service just a little less difficult? Each stocking will have "comfort items," such as food, drink mixes, puzzle books, handheld games, and other gift items. And perhaps most importantly to our troops far from home, a pre-paid phone card so they can call family and friends while they are separated during this special time of year. Some of our young Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen really need to hear from you this Christmas season. Some of them are even spending Christmas in a military hospital, after suffering serious wounds. So many of our wounded were hurt by explosives. Often they've lost legs or arms or even their sight. Being able to talk to a loving family can make so much difference when you're alone and separated from everything you've known . . . . . . especially when you spend Christmas day in a hospital bed, alone and wondering if you'll ever be able to adjust to the new life brought about by the injuries suffered while serving your country. I can't stand the thought that any of our soldiers will not hear a message of support from us this holiday season. I don't think you can, either. That's why I have hope. You have been such a good friend to Soldiers' Angels. Would YOU help me now with a tax-deductible contribution to get your Soldiers' Angels out of this financial bind? I know you care about our troops. You've proven it already. But please don't think someone else will do your part for this Christmas Stockings campaign. This Christmas, thousands of man and women will need your help, prayers, and encouragement. And believe me, they'll be so grateful. They've been there for us. Will you be there for them? Sincerely, Patti Patton Bader Founder, Soldiers' Angels P.S. I'm sure you agree: There's almost nothing harder for our troops than being away from home during the Christmas holidays. Please, now while you are thinking about it, make your tax-deductible contribution. If we don't have the funds we need in the next 15 days, we'll have to drastically slash--or even eliminate--the Christmas Stockings program. Please help, today if at all possible. |
