Summer is upon us!
It is hot, in the mid 80's in Massachusetts, and we may complain if it gets much hotter. We put on shorts, or swimsuits and go lounge at the pool or at the waters edge, boy are we hot...
As I write this newsletter the Weather Channel states it is 105 degrees in Iraq and it is to stay that way for the next few days. It was 115 last week and will reach that again at the beginning of next week.
In Afghanistan it is 105 today and going up to 109 in the next day or two. Can you imagine?
It isn't only the temperatures that are uncomfortable in both countries, as when the wind blows the dust flies, and most of our troops still need to wear all of their gear all day long. Approximately 40 lbs of gear, plus long sleeve shirts and pants, this is their required and authorized clothing every day. And we're complaining because it's 85 degrees and hot...
This is why SKIP just finished sending care packages to over 380 American troops that contain games, squirt guns, nerf footballs, hacky sacks, and other fun stuff. That is the name of the game afterall... to send the troops not only items they can use, but also items that may take their minds off the heat, the war, the loneliness that they may feel.
We need to move on, we need to continue...
They aren't stopping and we can't either. They volunteered to serve our country, they are protecting those they love to keep the enemy away from their homeland. They are keeping us safe.
So what can we do? How can we help support our troops from a distance? Money is short, time is short, but there are things we can do.
The SKIP organization has several events planned for this summer, if you live nearby how about helping at an event or two so more supplies, fun stuff or needed items can be sent to our deployed military. Can you volunteer a few hours to help at the SKIP booth? Can you help bring smiles to faces of hundreds of people by walking with SKIP in a parade? There is a list of events at the bottom of this newsletter, contact us at directors@skipcares.org or call (508) 472–1915 and we will make sure you can be part of the team.
If you do not live near by how about writing a letter to send to a service member? We have the directions for letter writing on our website at http://www.skipcares.org/support/dearhero.html. Ask church groups, organizations, friends, children, or adults to write and then send them to us. Our mailing address is: SKIP, Inc. PO Box 276 East Bridgewater, MA 02333. Even young children can draw pictures, the troops love pictures! They love to hear from home, age does not matter.
Do you have any other ideas or suggestions? Let us know, we need your help, we want your help.
