Operation Baking Gals
Some of you might remember hearing me talk about Operation Baking Gals last month. Susan of OBG and She's Becoming Doughmesstic sent me an email a while back asking for help. She was overwhelmed and overworked and wanted to send her cousin in the the service a care package. Could I help her out and send some cookies too? I felt terrible because I was out straight the first month and my oven wasn't working, so I had to bow out.
By the time the second month came around I was ready to bake! By that time, there were 7 teams all across the country, each with about 25 bakers, all sending cookies to the same soldier the same week! I was part of one of those teams of bakers that sent off cookies to a soldier in Iraq. Can you imagine what it must be like to get 25 care packages all at the same time? I heard later that Capt. Ballard (a Round One soldier) told Susan in an email that "I just hope these ladies know that they are doing a good thing. Even if it is 'just' baking cookies...". These soldiers were so thankful to know they're appreciated and prayed for.
Team Spatulas & Corkscrews!
Now, it's my turn to get excited excited because I'm hosting a team of my own -Team Spatulas & Corkscrews! Since I don't have a soldier, Susan found one for me! I don't know too much about my soldier, but what I do know is that he needs our support and gratitude for serving his country. His name is Michael Jones and he's a Chaplain with the 10th Mountain Division (they are famous!) stationed out of Fort Drum, New York. He is now in Iraq, stationed at Camp Victory, and obviously, as a chaplain will have access to MANY soldiers to share all these care packages with.
So, now I'm asking for help! As the host for Team Spatulas & Corkscrews, I'm sending out the call...would you be willing to send a package of cookies, brownies, candy, etc to Chaplain Michael Jones? I need 25 bakers to fill out my team. That shouldn't be too hard to do right?
500 Bakers???
Believe it or not, Operation Baking Gals has grown to over 500 bakers in just 3 short months! Won't you be one of them? For more info on Operation Baking Gals, read the article I wrote for Suite101.
We will send all our boxes at the same time, so Chaplain Michael gets them all together! Won't he be surprised? They should be shipped out during the week of September 27th - October 6th. When I did this this last month, I was shocked that the price of a HUGE box of goodies only cost me $8.00! That's all the way to Iraq! You can even ask for a free Military Flat Rate box from the PO to keep the cost down.
So, whadaya think? Can you see it in your heart to send a box of love and cookies to a bunch of homesick soldiers? If so, just send me an email at [email protected] and I'll add you to the team! When I receive your email, I'll get back to you with all the info you need to send Chaplain Michael 25 boxes of goodies the week of September 27th - October 6th.
In the meantime, Cat, from The Cat's Pajamas will fill you all in on what baked goods ship the best, what not to send, how to get the package ready and how to fill out the paperwork. I printed this off and took it to the PO with me, and boy, was I ever glad I did!
Email Me ([email protected]), We'll do Cookies! And thank you for supporting our troops!
Count me in! I'll post on my blog about it!
Posted by: Erika Martin - Stampin' Mama | September 16, 2008 at 08:46 AM
I want to help!!! Operation Baking Sailors of New England Unite!!! My very good friend from high school was a chaplain in the service, was in Afghanistan, and is now safe and sound in Colorado. I would love to help out another person overseas. Just let me know how to help contribute!
Posted by: macduff | September 16, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Hi!
I've connected with Susan at OBG to get info on this great cause!
I would love to join your team. Actually, a group of us would and are going to have a OBG cookie baking party for this round.
Please forward any information we need to help.
Thank you!
Torrey
Posted by: Torrey | September 16, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Hi,
I love to bake and have been looking for a good cause and this sure seems like one! Can you please forward me any information I would need to help and become a part of your team?
Thanks!
Martha
Posted by: Martha Lenkowski | September 17, 2008 at 10:32 PM
What a great idea! If I lived in the US, and not in Canada I would gladly join your team. I think the postage from here would be prohibitive.
I know there are Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan that would really enjoy something like this. I will have to see if I can find something similar operating out of Canada.
Tamara :)
Posted by: Tamara | September 18, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Donna! I wish I had known you had a team--I would have joined yours! I'm working in another team for a Sgt. in the 10th Mountain also!
Posted by: Danielle | September 18, 2008 at 01:46 PM
If I hadn't adopted a soldier of my own, I would gladly join your team. I think this is a great thing you're doing. My Sgt. was very grateful for the first package I sent him.
I've really enjoyed getting to know him. Our military deserve to know we're thinking of them and so appreciative of their commitment.
Posted by: Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy | September 18, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Hi,
This will be my second round at Operation Baking GALS and I'd love to join your team. My own son, Ryan, will be home on leave from the Army in Iraq during the time we ship so I know he'll be glad to help me bake some goodies for the other guys.
I'll email you for the details :)
xo
Posted by: Gabi | September 19, 2008 at 01:20 PM
I would love to join your team. Sign me up and tell me what to do. I think this is a really great way to let our men and women know that we appreciate them. What better way than by baking.
Love it!
Posted by: DCRose | September 24, 2008 at 06:12 PM