Keystone Soldiers

Current Care Package List

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 06:00:00 -0700

Current Wish List for Care Packages:

At the present time what we truly need is monetary donations for postage. If you have not already scheduled a donation collection with us please consider holding a fundraiser instead!

This list is current and was updated on Aug 12, 2010. Our packages go to all branches of the military and to locations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Korea and any other troops who request support from home. All items are sorted and packed according to the requests we get directly from the troops or their families. Our mailing address is posted at the top of the home page. Please use the street address ONLY for shipping boxes! Please use the Fleetwood post office box for letters, cards and donation checks.

*Cold drink mixes – Gatorade, Crystal Lite, Kool Aid or the individual flavor tubes you add to bottled water
Ground Coffee (not instant). Coffee creamer and sugar packets too!
*Power Bars, cereal bars, trail mix, granola bars and healthy snacks
*Slim Jims, *Beef or Turkey Jerky
*Sunflower Seeds & Nuts
*Individual snacks like chips, crackers, cookies, cheese/cracker kits
*Peanut Butter & Jelly – small size plastic jars please
*Microwave foods like beef stew, easy mac, chili, chunky soup, noodle bowls...etc
Small plastic bowls, cups and tableware
Small sewing kits and manicure kits
*Sunscreen and insect repellent, Chap Stick with sunscreen, Carmex, Blistex
*Body wash mens and ladies - small travel sizes (not hotel bottles)
Deodorant - travel size
*Foot Powder and foot cream for athlete's foot
Odor Eaters (for boots), Dr. Scholl's foot pads, blister pads
Hand Sanitizer - small size bottles to carry with them
Razors and Shave cream – non-aerosol only
Mens and Ladies underwear in sizes Small, Med, Large
Mens and Ladies calf high socks or boot socks in black or white.
Hand and foot warmers - the nights are getting cold in Afghanistan!
New or used game systems like PS3, Wii, or Xbox 360
Video games and controllers for PS3, Wii and Xbox 360
Small hand-held video games like poker, solitaire, slingo, etc
*CDs and DVDs - New or used are fine. Current releases are appreciated
*AT&T Global Pre-Paid Calling Cards (available at www.aafes.com)
****Money for shipping costs. Please!

* = Items most needed or requested by the troops!

****Monetary donations are needed to help us ship the care packages. This is always our biggest need by far. Shipping costs have increased and it doesn't matter how much "stuff" we have if we don't have money to ship it. We really need to be able to get the packages out every week. We ship Wednesday and Saturday and are currently sending at least 50 boxes every week. There are thousands of troops who are counting on us to send them some love and cheer from home!

You can print this list to share with others or take shopping with you by clicking the link at the top of the article! You are welcome to print as many copies as you like so please pass them on to others who are interested in supporting our troops.

We are NOT accepting any books right now. Please consider sending underwear or DVD movies instead. NO cassette tapes or VHS tapes are being accepted.

**Please note: 1) The U.S. Postal Service regulations do not allow anything in aerosol cans to be shipped. 2) We do not need any chocolate candy until late September. 3) Shipping currently takes about 14-21 days to the combat zones. It takes us about a week to get everything sorted and boxed. Please keep this in mind when you are checking expiration dates on food items.We will not ship expired food items!

If you have questions please call us or send us an email! We appreciate your support for our troops and for Keystone Soldiers!

~Lordzmom

Fundraisers Galore!

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:54:00 -0700

With the hoiliday season fast approching please remember our troops! Christi Dunn Hamill is doing fundraisers for Keystone Soliders who are sending Christmas stockings to our troops. If you purchase products from either Avon or Tupperware a % of the earnings will go to Keystone Soldiers! You can either start the holiday shopping early or you can send products to keystone solders for their care packages.

Avon fundraiser! Please be sure to use this link! http://chamill.avonrepresentative.com/online_event/view.php?rep_spnsr_evnt_id=19917

Tupperware fundraiser! Please use this link! http://my2.tupperware.com/Christymstwo

Many thanks to Christi for showing her support for the troops and helping to get the holiday stockings shipped!!

Holiday Drop off Locations

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:20:15 -0700

Keystone Soldiers would like to announce that we have a new drop off location for the holiday season. From now through December 24th you will be able to drop off your donations at Good Physical Therapy! They have set up collection boxes at their 3 locations and will be getting the donations to us for packing. This should make it easier for the folks in Kutztown, Pottsville and Kenhorst/Shillington areas to get their donations to us. Thank you Good Physical Therapy!!

Please check the hours with the location nearest you. The drop off locations are:

Berks - Lehigh

15050 Kutztown Road

Kutztown, PA 19530

610-683-5686

Kenhorst - Shillington

600 High Blvd

Shillington, PA 19607

610-796-9687

Pottsville - Schuylkill County

48 Tunnel Road, Suite 202

Pottsville, PA 17901

570-622-0182

Please remember this is only available until December 24th!

Thanks for your continued support for our troops and for Keystone Soldiers!

~Lordzmom

Shipping deadlines for the holidays.

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:51:00 -0700

All items for the Stockings for Soldiers drive must arrive in our office no later than Dec 1st in order to make it to their destination by Christmas. Our current care package list on the front page of our website has the list of most needed items, including the stockings. We have already started packing the stockings and have run out of a few items. We are out of Slim Jims, cookies, nuts & sunflower seeds and travel sizes deodorants.

Donations for shipping are our biggest concern during the holiday season. This year has been tough and funds are tight but we want to make sure that every soldier, sailor, marine and airman on our list gets a holiday stocking from home. We need everyone's help to accomplish this. Even $5.00 helps get a stocking to one of the troops serving our country. Please help with whatever you can.

Don't forget...we are still selling the Bon Ton Community Day coupon books! The book costs $5.00 and gives you $10.00 off on any purchase of $10.00 or more on November 14th. How can you possibly beat that deal? Spend 5, get 10 AND support our troops at the same time. We will be at the Bon Ton store in Berkshire Mall, Wyomissing, PA on Wednesday November 11th from 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday November 14th from 10 AM to 8 PM selling the coupon books or you can call our office if you would like to have them mailed to you. Thank you to everyone who purchased their coupon books last Saturday! We sold over 300 books!! Our volunteer team deserves a huge pat on the back for the terriffic sales job done by each and every one of them.

If you have any questions about holiday shipping or donations please call us or send us an email. We will get back to you as soon as possible. This time of year gets a little hectic so please keep in mind that we are a 100% volunteer organization so it may take a day or two for someone to get back to you.

Thanks to all of those who support our troops and their families!
~Lordzmom

Local business collects for soldiers overseas

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:35:00 -0700

From the Southern Berks News By Courtney McEachern We brush our teeth everyday. But what if we didn�t have toothbrushes? Many soldiers overseas are without essential items, like toothbrushes, and are in dire need of them. Nancy Doaty and Jennifer Ulrich, employees at Aquabilities in Birdsboro, are collecting essential items for care packages to be sent to troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Korea through the operation Keystone Soldiers for the Christmas holiday. Keystone Soldiers is a non-profit organization founded in 2002 by mother Kyle Lord. �And is much more than just a group that collects items for the troops. We send care packages of much needed supplies and items that remind our troops of home. We send letters and cards of support to military members serving our country all over the world,� said Lord. She added that the organization also assists �military families to resources who can help them, send comfort items to the military and veterans hospitals in the states and abroad and �emergency packs� to the field hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan.� Lord started this organization when her son�s unit was being deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002. �I was looking for a way to aide communication between our soldiers and the families as it was a very uncertain time. As a mother who's son was leaving for a war instead of college I realized that all of the parents and spouses were feeling the same fear I was,� said Lord. Lord said today Keystone has thousands of troops and families who visit the Web site, requesting packages. �While we specialize in supporting Pennsylvania soldiers we have never turned away a request for a care package, no matter where the soldier, sailor, marine or airman is from. Our mission will continue until all of our troops are home safely,� said Lord. To help Pennsylvania soldiers, area residents can drop off items such as ground coffee, peanut butter and jelly, candy canes, sunscreen and insect repellent, shampoo and deodorant, to name a few, for the care packages, at the Aquabilities facilities locations at 320 W. Main Street, Birdsboro and at their Blandon location, 825 Park Rd. [see Web site: www.keystonesoldiers.com for the complete list of items needed]. �My son is a firefighter in California and he asked me to send him Krimpets. Some of the soldiers don�t even have a stick of gum,� said Doaty. The Aquabilities facilities began collecting items on Oct. 1. The community service project will end Nov. 4. �This is the first time, but I am hoping to collect a lot [for the troops],� said Doaty. Although Doaty and Ulrich are involved with a number of community service projects throughout the year, this is their first time participating in Keystone. Doaty said she wanted to do something for the troops overseas and searched the internet for organizations that help soldiers. She found Keystone. Ulrich said that she hopes this project raises awareness that the troops should not be forgotten. All objects donated will be headed to Leesport, Keystone�s headquarters, where they will be separated and packaged. People can also send cards and letters to troops. Monetary donations are needed to help ship the care packages. �Our main mission is to make sure that every single soldier knows he has love and support from home,� said Lord. Where to send donations: � Cards, letters and monetary donations can be mailed to Keystone Soldiers, PO Box 152, Fleetwood, PA 19522. � Another donation location is at Keystone Soldier, 5 S. Centre Ave., Schoolside Plaza - Suite A1, Leesport. For more information visit: www.keystonesoldiers.com/.

RIP Lil Josh Wright

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:47:00 -0700

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of Little Josh Wright. Several of you met Josh when he was in PA a few years ago and understand what a loving and giving young man he was.

Josh and I met online in 2003 or 2004. It is hard to remember the exact date, I just know we both had the same mindset about supporting our troops. He was short on money and needed to get some packages to his marines. We had money and items to take care of them till Josh could raise some more money. We became fast friends and talked about once a week via email. When Josh had some vacation time and a marine friend (who had received some of our packages) stationed at Aberdeen, MD he flew across the country from Downey, CA to Md to see G-Lo. They proceeded to rent a car and drive all the way to Fleetwood, PA to have dinner with my family and say "thanks" for all the help and support. We even did a tv interview with WFMZ that night to get the word out to the local community about how important and far reaching their support can be. Meeting Josh and G-Lo was an honor I will never forget.

Josh's greatest dream was to be a marine, but health issues throughout his life kept that from becoming a reality. He did the next best thing and became a marine without a uniform. No one has ever spent the time and focus that Josh has to make sure that every marine he could reach had exactly what they needed from home. He made trips all over southern Ca to pick up donations and deliver them to the bases. He tirelessly packed boxes for shipping as often as he could. He was a true marine at heart.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. His marines will need all of us to pull together and take over the support following the same high standards Josh set for us. Josh will be sorely missed and forever remembered.

Semper Fi Josh! Semper Fi!

~Lordzmom

What's Going On at Keystone

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:09:00 -0700

We here at Keystone Soldiers are working very hard to keep the packages and letters going to our troops. We have some great events and fundraisers coming up. This will be a short overview to give you some ideas on how you can help and support our troops.

First and foremost we are getting the prep work done for our annual Stockings for Soldiers campaign. We had to cut back last year on the number of stockings we mailed out due to the failing economy. This year has been tough and donations for postage are still well below last year at this time. Our goal for this year will be to ship 7500 holiday stockings to troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and several other areas where we have units that have asked to participate. If you have troops that would like to receive the stockings to pass out please make sure we have correct contact information for mailing the boxes and the approximate number of male and female stockings requested. We will do our best to get the stockings to them in time for the holiday. Our shipping deadline to accomplish this task is Dec 5th, 2009. We must have all the donated items and money for shipping no later than Dec 1st. I will be updating the care package request list in the next few days to reflect the items we need for the stockings.

In order to raise some of the money for shipping we will be working on a fundraiser with the Bon Ton store in Wyomissing as part of their annual Community Day event. I will be posting a separate article with all the details but the important part of this fundraiser is selling coupon books. By purchasing a coupon book for $5.00 you will get a coupon for $10.00 off any purchase of $10.00 or more AND you will be sponsoring the cost of one Christmas stocking for a soldier! How cool is that? Donate $5.00 and get $10.00 back! Keep watching the website for the full details and the dates & times we will be in the store selling the coupon books. There will also be information on purchasing the books online.

Sunday October 4th from 3 PM to 6 PM will be a cruise and car show sponsored by Cocalico Cruisers. This show is to benefit Keystone Soldiers and we will have a table there to accept donations for care packages. The event will take place at Dave's Diner in Adamstown, PA. As soon as we have a copy of the flyer we will post it here on the website. We hope to see some of you there! Details and directions will be posted on the calender.

We will be offering a limited number of Thanksgiving Dinner boxes for the troops again this year. The boxes will contain a semi-traditional dinner for individuals or units and MUST be shipped by November 5th. I am still working on the pricing and should have the details posted on the website by early next week.

There will be a new website coming in the next few weeks. It will have a new look and be even easier to navigate. There will be new features and an expanded profile section so you can interact more easily. It is our hope that some of the troops receiving care packages will post their thank you notes on the website. We will have new photo galleries and an all new chat section. We would like to have some scheduled chats and family members will also be able to chat privately with their soldiers. The safety and security of the troops and their families are always our primary concern. We do not share any of their information without their permission and that will never change. There are sections of the website that are only available to registered users and that will be the same on the new website. The new site will make it easier for readers and volunteers to post content that will be useful and informative for both the military and the public who want to support our troops.

That is just a few of the upcoming events! If you are interested in helping with any of these events or volunteering at our packing office please send us an email and let us know when you are available. We have a great group and always welcome new volunteers no matter if they are there once or every week! There will be lots of opportunities for scouting and school or church groups to help this year so be sure to get your dates scheduled early!

As always.....thanks for your continued support for our troops and for Keystone Soldiers!

Lordzmom

FLEA MKT & OPEN HOUSE

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:20:00 -0700

When: SAT Aug 22, 2009 from 10 AM to 3 PM

Where: Schoolside Plaza, 5 S. Centre Ave (Route 61), Leesport, PA 19533

What: Flea Market to raise money for shipping care packages to our troops. Open House to increase awareness in our community of the need to support our troops. Care package sponsorships are available. For $20.00 (the average shipping cost of a package) you can put a personal message of support in a package that is being shipped to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Items available:

New in box air conditioners (4)
New in box 13" tv (only 1)
Golf clubs - gently used (full sets of irons, mixed sets of irons, individual irons, woods, putters...etc)
Golf bags
Golf balls - practice balls
Board games - new & used
Video game systems - gently used ( PS2, PS, Game Cube...etc)
Video games - new & used
Dining table and 4 chairs - gently used
Books, books and more books - hard bound and paperbacks
Toys - new & used
DVDs & CDs - new & used
Assorted household goods - new & used
Lots more!!!!!!!

All the money raised at our table will be used to ship care packages. Please come out and show your support! We hope to raise enough money to ship 400 care packages this month!!

*****Update***** It looks like we will be setting up inside the building tomorrow. The weather is calling for 90% chance of rain.

Thanks for your continued support for our troops and for Keystone Soldiers!

~Lordzmom

Summer Care package list

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:09:00 -0700

Current Wish List for Care Packages:

This list is current and updated on July 5th, 2009. Our packages go to all branches of the military and to locations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Korea and any other troops who request support from home. All items are sorted and packed according to the requests we get directly from the troops or their families. Our mailing address is posted at the top of the page. Please use the street address ONLY for shipping via UPS, FedEx, DHL or common carrier! For all mail and packages via USPS you must use the Fleetwood post office box.

*Cold drink mixes – Gatorade, Crystal Lite, Kool Aid or the individual flavor straws you add to bottled water
Ground Coffee (not instant) and hot tea. Coffee creamer and sugar packets too!
*Power Bars, cereal bars, trail mix, granola bars and healthy snacks
Ramen Noodle packs (the big cups are hard to pack and limit what we can fit in the packages)
*Slim Jims, *Beef or Turkey Jerky
Sunflower Seeds & Nuts
*Individual snacks like chips, crackers, cookies, cheese/cracker kits
*Peanut Butter & Jelly – small size plastic jars please
Small sewing kits and manicure kits
*Sunscreen and insect repellent, Chap Stick with sunscreen, Carmex, Blistex
*Body wash mens and ladies
Shampoo - mens and ladies
Toothbrushes only, NO toothpaste
Deodorant
*Foot Powder and foot cream for athlete's foot
Odor Eaters (for boots), Dr. Scholl's foot pads, blister pads
Hand Sanitizer - small size bottles to carry with them
Shave cream – non-aerosol only and good razors
Mens and Ladies underwear in sizes Small, Med, Large
Mens and Ladies calf high socks or boot socks in black or white.
New or used game systems like PS3, PS2, WII, Xbox or Xbox 360
Video games for the systems above or small hand-held games
*CDs and DVDs - New or used are fine. Current releases are appreciated
*AT&T Global Pre-Paid Calling Cards (available at www.aafes.com)
****Money for shipping costs. Please!

* = Items most needed or requested by the troops!

Please do not send any more cans of vegetables or outdated food items. They cost a lot to throw away. If it is not good for you to eat, it will not be good for our troops either. We are NOT accepting any books right now. Please consider sending underwear or DVDs instead.

Keep reading....lots more info.....

**Please note: 1) The U.S. Postal Service regulations do not allow anything in aerosol cans to be shipped. 2) We do not need any chocolate candy until late October. 3) Shipping currently takes about 14-21 days to the combat zones. It takes us about a week to get everything sorted and boxed. Please keep this in mind when you are checking expiration dates on food items.

Thanks for your continued support!

~Lordzmom

Thanks for Your Military Service

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:54:00 -0700

Home Depot: 10% Military Discount- SAVE up to $200 in-store on single receipt purchases July 2 - July 8, 2009.

www.homedepot.com - Valid 07/02/2009 through 07/08/2009 and redeemable for a 10% discount on a single receipt in-store purchase at The Home Depot® U.S. stores only. Maximum discount $200. This offer cannot be combined with any other discount, offer, promotion or special incentive program and is not valid on: (a) labor or Self-Furnish and Install (“SF&I”) and Furnish and Install (“F&I”) program products, including without limitation roofing, windows, siding, HVAC products, custom closets or storage solutions; (b) the purchase of The Home Depot Gift Cards or Certificates; (c) prior purchases; (d) Consumer Electronics (including, but not limited to, televisions, DVD players, speakers, home theaters, cellular phones, etc.), Little Giant Ladder Systems®, Thermador® in select markets, Gaggenau®, Miele®, Dacor®, Viking®, Fisher&Paykel®, Alfresco Grills®, Weber-Stephen Grills®, Sharp Insight™, Delonghi®, Casablanca® and Hunter Prestige® products; or (e) purchase from any The Home Depot affiliate store. Present valid Military ID to cashier at time of purchase to receive your discount. Offer is not valid for payment on any The Home Depot credit account. No credit if offer refused. Cash value 1/20th of 1 cent. Void if sold, copied or transferred and where prohibited. See store for further details and a full listing of SF&I and F&I products and complete details. ©2007, Homer TLC Inc. all rights reserved.