A Very Good Cause

Update (12/8/05 1348): New information posted here.

Marlton resident Leslie Drummond is doing great work. Mrs. Drummond has a son whom has been deployed to Iraq recently. Her son, like all of those stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan are serving our nation because they--like I did when in the service--want to protect the US and help people who have been oppressed.

Mrs. Drummond has started a project called the Yellow Ribbon Group. The goal of the Yellow Ribbon Group is to send care packages to our troops stationed in Iraq. They accept no money, only products that can make a day in Iraq a little bit easier.

I remember when I was deployed in 1992 during the tail end of Desert Storm and the onset of Somali relief operations. The feeling of being so far from home was at times overwhelming but I--as every service person--understood that I had a job to do. I recall getting a letter addressed to "Any Service Person" and it made my day.

The media has not portrayed the events in Iraq in the best light, but I know many who have served there and they know what the truth is. Perhaps a card or letter from you will make them feel a bit better while they count the days until they return to their families.

The list of needed items includes:

Baby powder (removes sand)
Fly Paper
Baby wipes (for cleaning rifles)
Sunglasses (new or used)
Visine or Saline eye drops (sand still gets in goggles)
Bug spray or rub on (no aerosols-post office wont accept them)
ChapstickCandles
Shower supplies/personal hygiene stuff
Puffs/kleenex
Puzzle or crossword books and such
Canned/bagged tuna and chicken
Magazines (please nothing erotic-illegal in Iraq)
Toilet paper
Chewing gum/ suckers ect.
Toothbrushes & toothpaste
Stationary (they like to write letters)
Foot powder
Sunscreen
Dry roasted peanuts/mixed nuts
DVD’s & computer games
Potato chips in cylinder or can
Books (any kind)
Dried fruit
Powdered drinks (koolaide and such)
Skittles
Slim Jims
Beef Jerky
Ramen noodles
Hand sanitizer
Greeting cards
Popcorn
Peanutbutter (plastic container)
Fruit cups (plastic container)
Q tips
Coffee/tea
Sugar packets
Creamer packets/containers

For Women

Feminine Hygiene products (tampons, panty liners, sanitary pads)
Shampoo & Conditioner
Moisturizing bath soap
DeoderantLotions
Emery boards
Small mirrors
Shower sponges/loofahs
Body wash
Body spray
Hair gel

If you are so inclined, please contact Mrs. Drummond at the e-mail address listed below:

yellowribbonclub@comcast.net

I for one am proud of our troops such as Mrs. Drummond's son and hope that anyone who is able will help her continue the good things she's started.

This is a true grassroots effort started by a mother who wants nothing more than to see her son and his fellow and sister soldiers comfortable. She has no website (I'm working on it, but I was just advised today) but wants to do something. Let's keep her really busy through the month of December.

Update (7:50): I will help Leslie fill every package if she becomes overwhelmed and I know plenty of folks in town who will also help her. Let's contribute and show what the blogosphere can really accomplish when we put our minds to it. Thanks.