Team Updates

LWT

The LWT is comprised of Soldiers' Angels who enjoy writing to our heroes and know how important it is for them to hear their name at "mail call". Soldiers' who have submitted themselves and or been submitted through the SA website are distributed via the LWT Team Leaders on a nightly basis. Though each Soldier is assigned an official Angel, the LWT provides additional support with extra cards and letters. The LWT writer is only asked to send each soldier that they receive one card or letter, but many choose to send more.

Another great month for the LWT: in October, 10,343 letters were sent via 893 LWT writers. This gives us now a total of 83,999 letters to our deployed heroes since January 1, 2005.

Our new writer signup was not as high in October as during the summer months, but with the forthcoming holidays, we know that many of our Angels are busy getting support to our heroes via the Christmas program. Although our writer count is down, we are grateful to all Angels in their continued dedication to our deployed heroes.

A great big WELCOME to Amy Hammonds who has stepped up to be a new LWT Team Leader as of 11/1/05. Amy has picked up Lydia Stagg's team, plus new writers as they come in. Amy, many thanks for not only becoming a LWT Team Leader, but also for all the work you do with the soldiers' daily submitted messages to ensure that Angels receive the info of the soldiers who need our help.

Thanks to all of the writers who have needed to step back from writing at this time for their dedication in supporting our troops by putting smiles on these heroes’ faces at "Mail Call."

During November and probably into December, we will be training more new LWT Team Leader. New LWT Team Leaders up and running are: Dean Parent, Gail Wolff, Amy Catherine, Joyce Prieto, and Krystal Hennion. Thank you, Angels, for stepping up to help get the names of our heroes to the LWT writers.

The LWT is always looking for new writers. If you are interested in joining the LWT, email Linda D. at lindom@cablelynx.com with "Registered SA Interested in Joining LWT" in the subject line, and she will provide you with full information about LWT and information she needs to get you started.

General questions about the LWT can be directed to Sara at sje2555 at yahoo.com and/or Linda at lindom at cablelynx.com. They are always around to help and answer your questions about LWT.

WTLC

WOUNDED TLC TEAM
The Wounded TLC Team has sent over 2800 cards to over two dozen wounded heroes and veterans. November will also mark our 1 year anniversary. We started with 30 Angels and have grown to over 350! We also continue to support heroes recuperating from injuries suffered in 2004 showing them that we are still there for them!

WOUNDED TEAM
The Wounded Team continues to evolve. We have sent many, many transitional backpacks to our wounded heroes in Iraq, Afghanistan and here at home. All very much appreciated. We have provided support to our wounded and their families in many different ways. Thank you, Angels!!!

COMBAT SUPPORT HOSPITALS
We are contacting the CSH’s and sending Transitional Backpacks and supplies as requested. The backpacks and packages the angels are sending are welcome and much needed items. Here are some responses we have received:

From a Nurse:
I also wanted to let you know how much the patients appreciated the back-packs filled with wonderful gifts and love. One patient that I gave one to started to cry with joy and appreciation – I just wanted you to know what an incredible difference you are making

From a Doctor:
I am overwhelmed with the response from Soldiers Angels. The transition packs are great and we will be taking them to the local TMC and CSH to use for patients transferred out of theater. Thank you so much for caring about our 'Joes', they are young men and women who have an incredible load of responsibility and have handled it quite well.

From a Corpsman:
Just wanted to say thank you once again for all that you’re doing for our unit and most of all our wounded soldiers out here. Words alone can’t express their gratitude.

We have fulfilled a number of requests from our medical personnel…from coffee to scrubs to medical supplies. The requests keep coming from these heroes!

Between a local VFW and Soldiers' Angels, we have shipped out over 64 boxes of scrubs to various medical facilities on our behalf. In addition to the almost 1000 pounds of scrubs Soldiers' Angels has provided, a local textile company has donated many, many boxes of new scrubs that have been sent to our heroes!

Speaking of scrubs: they are one of the most requested items from our military working in the CSHs & medical platoons--specifically the tops. If anyone is interested in holding a "Scrub Drive" in their area, please contact Lynette at LDFnjSA at aol.com.

We are also finding a need for sweat pants, socks, winter hats & gloves/mittens. If you are able to help, please email LDFnjSA at aol.com for information.

Continued thanks!!!

Elaine Baker
Lynette Frascella

TLC

Team Leader Eileen wanted to share the following example of the kind of good you Angels can accomplish through your involvement with the TLC posts. Jason* is a hero who was resubmitted for support after never hearing from his original Angel. Because of a difficult family situation back home ("he’s had a tough life," we were told), Jason really needed support and encouragement, so his friend Ryan resubmitted him for support. TLC team member Patty posted on Justin’s behalf.

Here’s a follow-up email we received from Ryan. Thank you to all Angels who respond to our TLC posts, and remember—as the email below clearly shows, you make a huge difference in the lives of our heroes.

Hi there Patty,

I am the one who submitted this info about Justin. Luckily, he received SIX boxes, all at once, from an angel named Carolyn A. who is an "unofficial" angel. He was overjoyed and received lots of snacks and love. He instant messaged me while in the middle of opening his boxes to show me, on web cam, that he was ecstatic!

It was so cute to see him happy as he is often depressed, on the thin side, and without parents or family (besides sisters that do not contact him much)…I wanted to let you know that Justin was really touched by Carolyn's care packages. She said that she'd sent them at different times, but for some reason they all arrived at once, about 2 days ago. I have to tell you that briefly, it was like watching a little kid at Christmas time. He had his arms full of snacks, a bowl, and some shampoo but you'd think that he just won $5,000! He was smiling from ear to ear!! Please let folks know that Justin just received 6 boxes from Carolyn A. of Soldiers’ Angels, an "unoffical' angel with a huge heart!

I hope Justin hears from his official angel as well. I can't thank Carolyn enough because this soldier needs love- it will keep him from getting into trouble and help to show him that people really do care about him. I cannot share the details [of his past], but I will say that he has been on his own since age 14. He has great faith in God (he wears a cross necklace given to him by his best friend's mom) and lots of friends who laugh both with him and at him! I hope he makes a good life for himself. Every bit of help is going to make the difference in this "kid." He's 20 years old and has lots of potential.

Feel free to forward this email to anyone it concerns. I am really happy that people care about him. I have only known him for four months and I find him angry, yet heroic and tender.

Sincerely,
Ryan

Another Angel tells us, "I have received two sweet letters and several emails from SSgt Anthony C. He was so grateful to hear from a complete stranger and thanked me profusely for the care package I sent to him. I continue to correspond with him because I get the feeling he isn't hearing from anyone else. (And even if he is, it is such a pleasure to read his letters!)

I have also been corresponding with LCpl Miguel V. and he is a delight. Apparently I'm the only one that has sent him anything and he asked me to adopt him...how could I say no?? LOL!"

Way to go, Angels!

ESquad

Mel Firestone tells us, "We are working hard on getting emails of support to as many heroes as possible. The Angels are amazing when a call for E-pals goes out; they all respond and then patiently wait for an answer."

There was a recent "flood" of soldiers looking for E-pals, and you Angels answered the call so completely that we now have Angels waiting for E-pals, rather than the other way around. THANK YOU!

Cards + Team

Our membership drops and grows weekly. As of October 31, there were 141 members.

42 lists sent to membership

53 soldier birthday requests
37 individual encouragement cards request
Request for unit of 22 and a unit of 20
2 soldier get well cards
19 welcome home
17 requests for state postcards
10 requests for sympathy cards
Request for Assistance with the “Operation Blessings” help with Katrina relief.

Angels Helping Angels section
4 get well requests
2 birthday requests
1 soldier’s daughter’s birthday request.

In mid-September, the request for Christmas cards for the combat hospitals was placed on the list. As the weeks went by, chaplains began requesting cards for their large units. he goal for Christmas cards for combat hospitals has been met, but there is still a request for 5500 cards for many units in the field.

Living Legends Team

In mid May of this year, Cathy Woodruff became the Team Leader for a writing team that would try to bring caring, compassionate messages of comfort to the family members, and Soldiers' Angels, of our fallen heroes. It was our intention to honor and cherish our fallen servicemen and women.

Through the efforts of many, we were able to secure beautiful funeral gifts and living memorial trees. On occasion the trees were donated and freely delivered. However, at times the family members asked Living Legends to, for instance, send condolences to the fire department where a fallen hero had been an honored fireman. At times, our team asked Top Knot, when possible, for the gift of a magnificent Memorial Quilt for the grieving children of the fallen. Top Knot is an extraordinary quilting team and a part of Soldiers' Angels.

Our team has sent a thoughtful 'Thank You' to any and all volunteers that offered to help us. In an effort to express our sincerest sympathy, the original seven members have written approximately 125 cards and letters. The team, now over 40 members, has tried to tastefully express the sorrow and grief that we know all Americans feel for the loss of our precious and beloved soldiers.

The web site for Living Legends is:
www.livinglegendteam.blogspot.com