Meredith Kelly- Chairwoman
WELCOME TO "OPERATION STARS & STRIPE
To
Our Troops!
May you be blessed and safe, and know that our thoughts
and prayers are with you and we will not forget you. You live in our hearts everyday and we want to thank you for everything
you are doing. It is a sacrifice to be away from your family and friends and we will never forget that. Let us know
what you need and don't be shy in asking us for support. We are here for you 24/7, 365 days a year until you come home!
A big "WELCOME HOME" to those returning. We know who you are but do not want
to put your unit names out there for security reasons! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your sacrifices for us!
Hi Every One! If this is your 1st visit to our site, "Welcome"!
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY
As you go through this day, please keep our
military and their families in thoughts & prayers. It is because of these brave Americans that we can live in Freedom
& Liberty today! God Bless Them All & the USA!
I thought you might like to know what we have done since March 7, 2003. Here are a few stats for you
that bring us through Dec 31, 2008.
5500 boxes sent, total wt approx. 82,500 lbs or 41.25 tons
of toiletries, food, clothing, blankets, small appliaces etc. Postage on the 5500 boxes comes to approx. $120,000.00!
So a big thank you to all of our donators, because you made this happen! We could not do this without
all your dedication and support. God Bless each and every one of you!
As you can see, we
are a no frills web site, and our main priority is to get support out for our Troops. It's what we do that is important. I
know that the economy is not the best, and some of you are struggling. I hope that you will all continue to support
us in our quest to support our Troops. If every one gives a little it adds up very quickly and we can make a big impact.WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP!!!
A big thank you to all of you who are sticking
by us with your item donations and monetary donations so we can mail our boxes out. You are a God send! Without all of
you we could not continue. Remember to keep our men and women in your thoughts and prayers every day!
Meredith
Our organization is supported by General Motors/SPO, Bolingbrook, Illinois, UAW Local
Veterans Committee #2114, UAW Local #2114, Region 4 UAW Veterans Women's Round Table and the Region 4 UAW Veterans. This program
was started to show our support to the many men and women serving in the Middle East. We felt it important for them to know
that besides family members and their friends that "Americans stood United with them, and there are people back home
who cared about them.
On March 7th, 2003 we began sending "care boxes" to our military personal serving in
Kuwait,Iraq, Afghanistan, Cuba and the Horn of Africa. Care packages have also been sent to S. Korea and Kosovo
when we get their addresses. Thanks to our many public and private donators, our non profit, all volunteer program
has been very successful. With the new deployments of Troops, we are asking for your help to continue our support.
This program is not about supporting or not supporting the "war", nor is it about being a Republican, Democrat
or Liberal. Our mission is to show support for our Troops. We feel it very important not to get in the political mix of things.
To date, July 4th, 2009, we have sent over 7000 boxes of toiletries, socks, can goods, snacks and treats. In addition
to our weekly "care packages",we have shipped five microwave ovens, 25 coffee pots, 2 crock pots, two
mini refridgerators, 3 heavy duty voltage converter, hot plates, cases of linens,towels,toys and school supplies.
We have also sent 20 pairs of Tactical gloves, 12 pairs of leather work gloves, ACU shorts and under armor T-shirts.
Our latest items were a Suunto X9i -m GPS watch for a communications unit in Afghanistan, and a media computer
keyboard for a Combat Support Hospital in Iraq, and five Wii 's & numerous games for them to play in any down time
that might have..
To our Combat Support Hospitals we have been sending boxer shorts,t-shirts, socks, quilts, afghans, laprobes, 100
pairs of flip flops, a wheel chair and toiletries for the wounded as well as items for the Staff. In July 2004, we sent
cases of laprobes, quilts,t-shirts,baseball caps,wheelchair and walker bags to our wounded at Walter Reed Hospital in conjunction
with "4 the Troops" program run out of Los Angeles, California. Since that time we have also sent to Ft. Lewis in
Colorado and Bethesda Naval Hospitals and are currently sending boxes of the same to the the Army Hospital in Lanstuhl,
Germany.
We would really appreciate your support and help to get as many "care boxes"
out as possible. Each individual box weighs approximately 15-20 pounds and the unit boxes wiegh in at about 55
pounds a piece.and the cost of postage runs $18.00 to $25.00 per box and unit boxes around $60.00.
If you have
any questions regarding "Operation Stars & Stripes" or would like us to send a care package to a loved one for
you, please feel free to contact me Meredith Kelly at
johnmeredithk@aol.com
Please know that all donations are tax deductable!
Any monetary
donations can be sent to:
"OPERATION STARS & STRIPES"
C/O CHARTER
ONE BANK
4231 JOLIET AVE
LYONS, ILLINOIS 60534
All donations go to the Troops to purchase items
or used for postage. Our group is 100% volunteer and no one receives payment for services rendered.
Please feel free
to send us the names of your loved ones serving, and we would be honored to send a care package free of charge.
A
special message to all our Military Families & Friends. I am proud to anounce that we are adding a wonderful site
for you to find wonderful military greeting cards for you to send . I know how difficult it is to find greetings for those
serving in the Armed Forces, especially those deployed.
The Company is called "FORGET YOU NOT GREETINGS". We are so proud to add them to our family supporting
our Troops. They are currently working on new cards for all five branches of the military. Please check out their site
& please keep in mind when you are looking for the perfect card to send. Just click on the left hand column listing
on their home page - Military You will not be disapointed!
Their site address is www.forgetyounotgreetings.com.
