Any "Soldiers Angels" here?

[wicket]

http://www.soldiersangels.org

I just joined recently and sent my first letter yesterday. It is a group that "adopts" soldiers deployed overseas and writes them letters, send packages, etc. Once you sign up and you clear their screening process, you get assigned a soldier to write letters and send care packages if you want containing snacks and supplies they may need. It's completely non-partisan and I'm really looking forward to writing more letters and sending packages. I hope some of you DUers out there will join me :)

Also, if you want to send a care package, this site makes it very easy:

http://militarycarepackages.net/

[wildflower]

1. Thanks for posting about this. I've also heard of a site

on AAR, called www.unmetneeds.com . Anyone know about this organization?

Thanks! :hi:

-wildflower

[SoCalDem]

2. We adopted a group of soldiers last year..sent them goodie boxes

and any DUer with family/friends there often posts requesting care packages for them.. Our soldiers all made it out ..safe and sound..for now:)

One suggestion though.. Have people PM YOU and then you PM them back with addresses.. It's not a great idea to post their addresses her on DU, because of all the wackos who love to "visit" us and cause trouble. I would not put it past these nuts to send harrassing things to the military family members if they could..

[wicket]

3. don't worry

I won't be posting the addresses here! That's actually one of the requirements of the group- to not give out your adopted Soldier's address to anyone.

Glad to hear that your packages were such a success :) :yourock:

[triguy46]

4. you mean a magnet yellow ribbon isn't enough?

[CarolNYC]

5. here's another site

http://www.angelsncamouflage.org/

You can adopt soldiers and veterans there. I've adopted a veteran for a little over a year now...I'm a bit worried about him as I haven't heard from him in months but the admins over there are checking it out....

I know I helped him have a very nice Christmas. :)

[TexasLawyer]

6. I signed up

thanks

[wicket]

9. awesome!

:kick:

[goodboy]

7. You should never EVER do anything for that charity: See why:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3613469

[wicket]

8. thanks for the info

I'm not planning on sending them any money- I just want to send well wishes to those deployed. Sorry to hear that woman was so rude to you!

[wicket]

10. kick

:kick:

[PCKaz]

11. From a Soldiers' Angel

I'm a Soldiers' Angel, one of the State Managers, in fact. I do not know who you spoke with, or really the specific nature of your donation, but I am sorry you had such a negative experience with us.

Soldiers' Angels is not in and of itself a political organization. The president's voice is on the website because he's the president, and the comment was relevant. I would say that likely most, but not all, of our members support the president, and believe in the war, but the prime purpose is supporting the troops. I know personally some very dedicated Angels who don't believe we should be in Iraq, but are still supportive of the troops. I happen to personally disagree with the viewpoint on the war, but I can respect it. What I, and SA as a whole, can't abide is anti-troop sentiment.

We've advised religious groups that something they wanted to do was too religious in nature, too, recognizing that our troops come from a variety of backgrounds, so it's not necessarily a personal thing that you were advised that there may be a concern with what you wanted to do.

Apparently, though, it left a very lasting impression with you, and I apologize if you were treated rudely. SA certainly does not mean to imply that patriotism, or troop support, requires a certain political ethos. Feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss this further. [e-mail]

[Ex Angel]

12. Charitites......

Well as you can tell by my name I am an Ex Angel. If you think I am the only one you would be so very wrong. I don't think we should be in Iraq but I support our heroes till the end. What is my thinking? What is done is done and we are there. Until someone fixes it I will support these so very young people. As for Soldiers' Angels I think they are a good foundation that got to big. An out of control good thing does not mean it is still good. All I ask is if you want to join any charity do some research. Make sure they do what they say. As for sending SA a donation keep your money and find another way. I left SA before Christmas. I have now heard from at least 30 ex angels that had issues. Some as far back as the start and most it seems just recently. Somehow they find me and I hear their stories. It seems if you are not absolutely a part of "the mission" you are a problem. I do believe this is a free country is it not????? Please there are tons of ways to help the troops just be smart and research. As for PC's comment : Dear you just keep sweeping up Patti's messes.

[PattiBader]

14. From Patti

Open Letter To All I have Offended Here,
I am not perfect,
I Just tried to help troops.
I hope any of my short comings will not stop anyone from helping the very brave souls out there trying to do their best. Soldiers Angels is not one person, it is thousands of people sending care to those who need it. Be mad at me ok, but do not be mad at the mission.
I will be retiring from Soldiers Angels and many amazing volunteers are taking over to insure that aid and comfort continues to go out to our military.
Blankets Of Hope
Adopt A Soldier
Operation Top Knot
Living Legends
Soldiers Kids
all run by People who just want to help,

Again I apologize for my personality and hope that we all can continue to Support Our Troops.
Patti Bader

[Lost Angel]

15. The Mission

I must admit I am glad to see I am not the only one that has heard the phrase "the mission". It is not the mission that is the problem. The problem I had with Soldiers' Angels were the people running the mission. I have volunteered for most of my life for one cause or another. NEVER have I seen volunteers abused the way I have on your forum Patti. I sat quietly and watched how people were treated that had different opinions then the managers of the site. It wasn't like these angels were being rude or out of line. They just had another way of thinking then the managers. I know all forums delete one thing or another but Soldiers' Angels deletes anything that isn't there narrow way of thinking.
As for a comment at the top of this topic stating that Soldiers' Angels does not post addresses. I have seen this happen with my own eyes. When I mentioned something about it I was told to stick to the mission.
I still belong to Soldiers' Angels but I never go to the forum. I am not willing to be treated in such a fashion. As for you Ex Angel I am very sorry you were treated the way you were. I would love to speak with you.
Patti it is not even about your personality it is about treating humans with respect. I personally never had a problem with you except it seems a lot of things get left unsaid and you put people in charge that are just plain rude and sometimes mean.
I think I will go do what Ex Angel suggested and do some research on other foundations. For the longest time I thought Soldiers' Angels was the only place to go. I see from the links above that I do have other options. You really did do a good thing Patti. It has just gotten out of hand. As far as I am concerned Angels are heroes too and should be treated as such.

Bless our troops and our Angels...........

[wicket]

16. Thank-you Patti

And welcome to DU!

[merh]

13. I adopted a soldier before christmas through another organization

and sent him packages, communicated with him through emails and encouraged him and thanked him for his service.

I still send him things, but I won't communicate with him via email. He was trying to convert me to the fundie way. He continually sent me the propaganda about prayer in schools and manger scenes in public, yada yada, and I would reply to him that the extreme position he had was not my interpretation of Christianity. At first they were short, thanks, but I won't sign your petition because I don't see things that way. He would question my beliefs and then the emails became in depth explanations of my position complete with scripture passages. He would send my emails to his fundie preacher to dispute and then forward the preacher's response to me. This went on for months, I finally just stopped responding.

I didn't want to try to harm the boys beliefs as they were important to him and his survival. But, I didn't want emails trying to convert me to the extreme fundie way of not thinking.

There are organizations that provide you with the address without pushing their views and at no cost. Research the net.

Thanks for wanting to do this for the troops. :toast: