I found this online and I thought It was a great idea and that I'd share it with you guys..........
FORT BENNING, Ga. (Feb 28, 2003) – ‘Hugs to Kuwait’ started Jan. 4 to make soldiers’ deployment there easier.
Interest in the Web site and program grew so quickly it attracted the attention of national media. Now, Pamela Bates, military spouse and site founder, receives hundreds of e-mails a day requesting to adopt a soldier.
“I never expected it to get this big,” Bates said. About 9,000 people from all military services and one British unit have been adopted. About 18,000 people from every state and 11 countries have adopted or are waiting to adopt.
“That’s just a drop in the bucket,” said Bates whose husband is serving with the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, in Kuwait.
There are about 180,000 troops over there, but only 9,000 are adopted. “If every soldier could get a letter, they would know America is supporting them,” Bates said.
“Hugs to Kuwait” started on a small scale for B Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment. Those soldiers “were put up for adoption” and it only took two days for all of them to be adopted.
About a two weeks ago Bates was getting 100 e-mails a day, but then it started doubling or tripling and Bates said she knew it really hit when Microsoft called to be a part of it.
“They have been great; they are really helping me out and getting the word out.”
“It’s not just me doing this; it’s everyone pulling together and volunteering to adopt. This is what America should be like.
“When I get down in the dumps, I read the letters that people send to me thanking me for setting up the program, and it always picks me back up.
“I had a soldier write in and say he hadn’t received any packages from home because his grandparents raised him, and they don’t have enough money to send him anything. Then one day he received a box from complete strangers.”
Missy Taylor, a military spouse and Bates’ neighbor, adopted three soldiers. ³I just wanted to give some hometown support,” Taylor said. “It gives me a chance to do something good for the soldiers, which makes me feel good in turn, especially when they write back.
“It’s a feel-good thing, doing something for someone else.” Even those who don¹t have a spouse or family member deployed should get involved, Taylor said. “No matter what you send the soldiers, you know their eyes are going to light up when they receive that package,” she said. “very soldier over there would have a smile on his face. Just sending a letter is a small price to pay to make somebody’ day.”
Soldiers usually get their first response in two to three weeks.
Churches, civic organizations, schools, workplaces, families, Boy and Girl Scouts and veterans organizations have come together to adopt soldiers.
It is really simple to sign up, Taylor said. Just e-mail a request for adoption and they send back an address to write to.
Anyone who would like to participate, either by adopting or, if they are a family readiness group, military personnel or family member that would like to turn in a name or names of military personnel for adoption, e-mail Bates at hugstokuwait@hotmail.com or visit the Web site at
http://groups.msn.com/HugsToKuwaitAdoptASoldier <--I think that link works I just found the page, if it doesn't go to msn groups then click all categories, then military and scroll down the page and you'll see hugs to kwuait, there is the group. Sorry for the mix up.....
Suggested items for mailing, mailing regulations and other information can be found at the Web site.
How it changed my life:I am just hoping that not one soldier over there feels like they are abandoned and not cared for by us. Just doing my part.
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