In this issue:

Make the Holidays Merrier| Help a Unit in the Nick of Time| Chuck Norris Supports the Troops | Merry Birthday| Photo of the Month| Thanks to Accretive Health Care| 'Tis the Season to be Sharing | Thanks to All You M&M'ers
Home State Hello| Many Units Need Santa| Still Time to Register Soldiers for
the Holidays| Making Shopping Easier for Family and Friends| Send a Gift in Someone's Name| Smiles Around the World| Monthly Smiles Club| Share TFT with a Friend

Dear Tina:

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the care package! I love the electronic game and I already hung up my stocking for Christmas. It's comforting to know we have this kind of support from back home!

Thanks again,

Aiko

RE: 73350

Read more Thank You's in the right column»»» 

Make the Holidays Merrier

TFT’s Holiday Shops are filled with special treats that will bring a smile to a homesick soldier’s face. There are bright red stockings stuffed to overflowing with goodies. Christmas trees all ready to decorate. Bountiful holiday feasts complete with all the trimmings, right down to melt-in-your mouth pumpkin fudge and freshly-baked cookies. Holiday candies. Generous packages meant to be shared by two, four or even more. Special gifts for him and her. Fun toys and games for grown up girls and boys. We’ve even found some instant “snow.”

Super Stocking with Phone Card $39.95	Holiday Feast $29.95	Trim-A-Tree $39.95
Happy Holidays to Him $34.95	Happy Holidays to Her $34.95	Holiday Spirit $49.95

Help a Unit in the Nick of Time

Our Group Gift Department is in constant contact with unit representatives, and knows who will be receiving packages, and who still needs support. To read more about some of the units who’ve asked for holiday help, click here. Or email groupgifts@treatsfortroops.com, and put Group Support in your subject line.

Chuck Norris Supports the Troops

Treats for Troops salutes Actor Chuck Norris, who personally put smiles on the faces of many of our troops when he made a second trip to Iraq this past September. When asked why he’d gone back, Norris said “These young men and women are making a difference there, and they believe in due time that they can win the day and the war and give the Iraqi people full ownership of their land. I'm not saying whether this war is right or wrong. All I'm saying is that we are committed, and progress is being made. Let's win this war and bring our troops home!”

It must have touched their hearts to have Norris take the time to visit and spend time with them, since both Treats for Troops and one of our sponsors received photos of proud soldiers with the famous action star. Here’s the thank you note.

Dear Nancy:

Thank you so much for the care package! It came as bit of a surprise, as I have been out here for 2 months and this is the first care package I have received. Thank you very much. My Marines and I enjoyed everything every much, especially the phone cards and the suduko puzzle. Again, thank you for thinking of us. I am including a picture of some of us and Chuck Norris. Hope to hear from you again.

Thanks again,

Corporal Richard Stroder USMC (Active)
RE: 72269

From left to right, Chuck Norris, Sergeant Nick Miller and Sergeant Tyler Corey. This photo was sent in by Tyler’s mother, Robyn Harrison, who asked us to let people know Norris’ motivational tour was much appreciated.

This photo of LCLP Erick Cadena Garcia with Norris in Iraq was sent to us by the soldier’s very proud Mom.

Merry Birthday

Several soldiers registered with our Foster-A-Soldier Program are celebrating their birthday on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, including Karen Brown from Oklahoma, who loves mentoring new soldiers, Freddie Sutton, a Marine from North Carolina whose hero is his Dad, Californian Richard Fernatt who misses his family, and “the freedom to come and go without the threat of an IED exploding on the road,” Raquel Diaz from Florida, whose hero is her Mom, Texan John Punchard, who misses football – and his wife, who is also his hero and James Clark, who misses his home in Tennessee and is very proud to be in the Army.

We think having a birthday over the holidays must be twice as lonesome – so it would be great if our birthday soldiers all got a birthday treat or two. If you’d like to send them a Merry Birthday, email groupgifts@treatsfortroops.com and put Christmas Birthday in your subject line.

You could add something fun like our dancing birthday cake to a Holiday Feast or Holiday Stocking, send a Happy Birthday package from the Birthday Shop, or just add a simple birthday wish to your note. No matter what, we know being remembered on their birthday will bring an extra big smile.

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Photo of the Month

Congratulations to SPC Reagen Paule, who as you can see was the very happy recipient of a great big Texas-sized bag of M&Ms sent by fellow Texan Donald Baker. Reagen is the Udairi Army Airfield Information Management Officer, and a big fan of chocolate in any form. In addition, he likes art, cars, computer games, photography and TV. His hero is his Grandfather, who who served his country as a U.S. Army Infantry officer for over twenty years. Reagen not only took the time to send a thank you note to his sponsor, but also sent this email to us:

“We really appreciate what you are doing a whole bunch, here in theater, and to show how much we enjoy the packages we get, attached is a picture we took with some of the goodies! I wish we could do more to show our appreciation, I sent a printed copy of the picture to Mr. "Donald G." (Order 72463) from Texas, with the post card you provide us. Thanks Again!”

Thanks to Accretive Health Care

TFT is proud to send a package to Reagen in the name of Accretive Health Care in Chicago, a leading provider of revenue cycle services and solutions for healthcare providers. Accretive Health has sent out many packages to soldiers to lift their spirits now – and they also send a note along telling the recipients they have many team members who were in the service, and urging them to get in touch with the company if they have any interest in a career in health care when they come back home.

‘Tis the Season to Be Sharing

No matter how big or small the package, soldiers share their treats. One quick read through the thank yous emailed to TFT sponsors over in the column on the right will make you smile…and probably wish you could send the world’s biggest holiday package to everyone who has their fingers crossed that maybe Santa will teach his reindeer how to slog through sand instead of snow. TFT offers many packages designed to be shared by two, four or a whole bunch of soldiers. Here a just a few; you’ll find more in the Enough to Share Shop.

Thanks to All You M&M’ers

Back in October when it finally got down into the low 100’s in the Middle East, we sent out an email that we were once again able to send out M&M’S to the troops. Many of you responded by ordering these popular treats, and on behalf of happy soldiers everywhere finally getting their chocolate fix, we’d like to say a big thank you – and treat you to a bit of M&M’S trivia. Forrest Mars Sr. got the idea for this popular candy when he encountered soldiers in the Spanish Civil War who were eating pellets of chocolate encased in a hard sugar coating that kept the chocolate from melting. Inspired, he went back to his kitchen and invented M&M’S, which were packaged in cardboard tubes and soon became a favorite of American GIs serving in WWII. But even M&M’S don’t travel well when it’s 130° outside – and a lot hotter in the belly of the cargo plane. Here’s one of the email thank yous that have arrived so far:

Dear Kathryn:

I want to thank you for the M&M's, they are awesome and so are you. I couldn’t believe it when I opened the box, you must have read my mind. I love M&M’s and coming from home, I couldn’t have asked for a better surprise. You are a very special person and I thank you for your support. YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks again,

Lori

RE: 72681

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Home State Hello

Soldiers always notice when they get a package and a message of support from someone from their home state. It automatically reminds them of home, and gives them an extra special connection to their sponsor.

If you’d like to send someone from your state a home-state hello just visit the Foster-A-Soldier Program, click on I want to Foster-A-Soldier, and select the state you want from the drop down menu. Many of the soldiers registered with TFT have filled out personal profiles to help their sponsors get to know them a little better. If you’re not sure what to send, our TFT Top Ten has all ten of the most popular items from our site including cookies, candies, snacks, wet wipes and a phone card, all in one fabulous box for $49.95.

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Many Units Need Santa

Our Group Gift and Unit Support Department works with units and groups of all sizes all year long to help get them much-needed support. Helping to sponsor a group or unit is a great way to make sure anywhere from a dozen to several hundred soldiers know that despite what they hear on the news, people back home still care about and support them. Here’s a brief look at just a few of the units who’d love some holiday cheer from back home.

82nd Airborne Paratroopers

The mission of the 82nd is “Go anywhere and do anything as rapidly as possible.” This Brigade of over 150 Paratroopers was deployed from Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Their commander says …”they get lost in the long days they work, and are little out of touch with how much people back home support them and their mission. I would greatly appreciate anything you all can do to help me fight that.”

To send this unit a package, email unithelp@treatsfortroops.com and put 82nd Airborne Paratroopers in your subject line.

Alternate approach: Click here to email Group Gift about supporting the 82nd Airborne Paratroopers.

Outlaws of Echo Company

The 55 soldiers of the 2-159 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion provide fuel and ammunition for attack aircraft that fly all over Iraq. Their primary charge is the Battalion’s AH-64D Apaches, but they service aircraft from all over the country, not just for the U.S. Army and Marines, but for the British Army and the Iraqi Air Force. They work 24/7 to keep support in the air and on the move.

To send this unit a package, email unithelp@treatsfortroops.com and put Outlaws of Echo Company in your subject line.

Bravo Company 203rd Brigade

The 130 soldiers of Bravo Company, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion are the maintenance company responsible for keeping the infantry battalions supplied with everything they need, and keeping both soldiers and equipment up and running. They also secure all the combat logistics patrols that support the infantry soldiers forward.

To send this unit a package, email unithelp@treatsfortroops.com and put Bravo Company 203 in your subject line.

Regiment Rangers

The 693 men and 13 women of the Army’s historic 2nd Battalion 16th Infantry represent one of the oldest regiments in the service. Our unit representative will make sure big packages get shared, and individual ones go to those who don’t receive much mail.

To send this unit a package, email unithelp@treatsfortroops.com and put Regiment Rangers in your subject line.

402nd Army Field Support

There are 15 people in a section, and 200 people in the Unit. They provide a “Single face for acquisition, logistics and technology support to the field Commander at all levels to equip, sustain and protect soldiers.” Whew, they must have quite the to-do list.

To send this unit a package, email unithelp@treatsfortroops.com and put 402nd Army in your subject line.

GITMO 525th MP Battalion

GITMO units are all stationed at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. “We care for dangerous men humanely,” writes unit contact Royce Scheck, “But we never forget they are dangerous men.” They’re responsible for the collection and dissemination of strategic intelligence that could help Coalition Forces wage a smarter global battle against terrorists.

To send this unit a package, email unithelp@treatsfortroops.com and put GITMO 525 MP in your subject line.

82nd AVN, Desert Hawk

This 46-man, two-woman unit is stationed in Afghanistan. They supply aviation combat support to coalition forces. We often hear from soldiers based in Afghanistan and elsewhere that they sometimes feel forgotten. We know you’ll let this unit know that just isn’t so. And how about something special for the two women?

To send this unit a package, email unithelp@treatsfortroops.com and put Desert Hawk in your subject line.

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Still Time to Register Soldiers for the Holidays

There’s still time for soldiers to register with our Foster-A-Soldier Program, get a personal TFT ID number and make holiday shopping loads easier for folks back home. Soldiers who register will also be eligible to receive packages and messages of support from caring individuals, groups and organizations. Soldiers can register themselves online, or be registered by anyone who has their correct military address. Registration is fast, easy and free.

To register, visit our Military Registration Center.

Making Shopping Easier for Friends and Family

Anyone with a soldier’s current military address can simply enter it, go shopping and send packages through Treats for Troops. But if you register the soldier with our Foster-A-Soldier Program, they’ll be assigned a special TFT ID number you can send to family and friends to make shopping super easy for them. All they’ll have to do is enter the ID number and our system will automatically enter the mailing address. And it’s easy to update if your soldier is transferred to another post. Plus if you or your soldier takes time to fill out the optional personal profile, it will pop up while you’re shopping, and be a good reminder as to what kinds of treats would bring the biggest smiles.

Send a Gift in Someone’s Name

Now it’s easier than ever to send a gift to a soldier in someone else’s name. If you want to send a package or two, just visit our new Gift in Name page and follow the simple instructions. You’ll be able to create a personalized note to go to each person you’re honoring. And just as always you’ll be able to create a note for each soldier receiving the gift.

Have a Long List? If you’d like to send packages on behalf of each of your many clients, customers or everyone on your holiday list, we’ll be happy to do all the work for you. All you have to do is give us your budget and your list, and we’ll do the rest. It’s one gift that’s sure to produce smiles all around. If you’d like more information, email groupgifts@treatsfortroops.com and put Gifts in Name in your subject line.

Smiles Around the World

U.S. soldiers stationed around the globe are registered with our Foster-A-Soldier Program. If you’d like to brighten the day for a soldier serving somewhere other than Iraq, send an email to groupgifts@treatsfortroops.com and put Global Smiles in your subject line.

Monthly Smiles Club

Want one less thing to remember? Just give us criteria for selecting soldiers and your budget and we’ll do the rest – monthly, quarterly, or on any schedule you want. Then you’ll be sure no matter how busy you get, you’re keeping those smiles coming.

We’re here to help with whatever you or your company, group or organization wants to do to support the troops. There’s no obligation, and you can stop sending packages at any time.

If you’d like to know more about this program that takes the work out of regularly sending packages, visit the Monthly Smiles Club page on our Web site, or send an e-mail to groupgifts@treatsfortroops.com, and put Monthly Smiles Club in your subject line.

Share TFT with a Friend

The more soldiers that register, the more we need to reach out to individuals, groups and organizations who’d like to show their support. If you know an individual, company or organization who’d like to support our troops, Click here to pass this newsletter along.

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