Keystone Soldiers

Post Christmas Current Care Package List

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 -0700

Current Wish List for Care Packages:

This list is current and was updated on January 5, 2012. 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.

*Power Bars, cereal bars, trail mix, granola bars and healthy snacks
*Slim Jims, *Beef or Turkey Jerky
*Sunflower Seeds & all types of nuts
*Individual snacks like crackers, cookies, cheese/cracker kits. No potato chips please, they crush easily.
Individual hot foods like oatmeal, cream of wheat, etc
Hot drinks in individual packets like hot chocolate, hot cider or instant coffee drinks. NO ground coffee until 4/2012 please.
Small sewing kits and manicure kits & first aid kits
Pocket size notebooks & index cards
Mens and Ladies underwear in sizes Small, Med, Large
Mens and Ladies calf high socks or boot socks in dark colors. Cotton or wool preferred.
Hand and foot warmers - the nights are cold in Afghanistan and we are completely out!
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
Decks of cards, dice or small pocket size games
Small stuffed toys like beanie babies.
*CDs and DVDs - New or used are fine. Current releases are appreciated
****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!

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. We are temporarily overstocked on razors and toothpaste right now. We are very short on shaving cream in tubes....NO aerosol cans please!

**Please note: 1) The U.S. Postal Service regulations do not allow anything in aerosol cans to be shipped. 2) 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!

You can print this list to share with others or take shopping with you by clicking the link in the article that looks like a printer! 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 also have instructions for how to set up a donation collection at the top of our home page. Just click the link in the top navigation bar.

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

~Lordzmom

Discounts & Freebies for Veterans

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:45:00 -0700

Here is a list of specials, discounts and freebies for veterans on or near Veteran's Day.....

Restaurants:

Applebee’s – Veterans and Active Duty enjoy a FREE meal from a limited menu on Veteran’s Day
Chili’s – Veterans and Active Duty enjoy a FREE meal from a limited menu on Veteran’s Day
Golden Corral – Military Appreciation Monday free dinner on November 15th from 5-9pm for all veterans, active duty and National Guard and Reserves.
Krispy Kreme – Active duty, retirees and veterans get a free doughnut on Veteran’s Day at select Krispy Kreme.
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants – Participating restaurants offering a free entrée to veterans from a limited menu. Online reservations suggested.
Outback Steakhouse – Veterans and active duty military enjoy a free Bloomin’ Onion and non-alcoholic drink on Veteran’s Day.
UNO Chicago Grill – Offering Buy One Get One to all services members and veterans with a military or veteran I.D. or in uniform.Includes a free entrée or individual pizza with purchase of an entrée or pizza of equal or greater value.
Texas Roadhouse – Free meal from opening to 4pm on Veteran’s Day.
T.G.I. Friday’s – Veterans and service members enjoy Buy One Get One from November 11-14th.

Retail:

The Dollar General – Veterans, service members and immediate families will receive 10% off with a Veteran’s Day coupon from store circular or sales associate.
Amazon – Free “Veteran’s Day Honor” MP3 album download which includes 12 songs by The Bands and Ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Cabela’s Outdoor Store – Offering their employee discount to all veterans, active-duty military and reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel on November 11-12th. Discounts vary from 5-50% depending on item.
Build-a-Bear Workshop – Armed forces members and reserves will receive 20% discount on November 11-15th on any one transaction.
Fashion Bug – Save 20% off all plus-size and misses clothing purchases with a copy of military ID or spouse’s military ID.
Sports Clips Haircuts – Free haircut to active military and veterans on Veteran’s Day.
Foot Locker – Veterans, Service members and immediate families with a Foot Locker Veterans Advantage Card will receive 20% every day of the year. Offer good online and at any store location and includes sale items.

We will update this note as more are found.

Site & Event Updates

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:22:00 -0700

There is sooooo much going on here at Keystone Soldiers I thought I should get our readers caught up!

It is our 9th annual Stockings for Soldiers campaign this year and all our little elves (volunteers) are working very hard to make sure we reach our goal of 8500 holiday stockings this year. We have handmade and purchased stockings coming in from all over the country and there are several large collections of items going on too. In order to make this wonderful project a reality we must raise $42,000 for postage! We have been spending every available minute fundraising and spreading the word far and wide. More about our current fundraisers can be found further down in this article! Be sure to check out our new donation dropoff sites listed on the home page!

For those who would like to do an item collection for stocking stuffers we have updated the Care Package Wish List to reflect the current, most pressing needs this holiday season. This list is printable and you are welcome to share with as many people as you like. We have complete instructions for how to set up, run and deliver your collections to us posted on the website under the Donation Collections tab at the top of the page. The cut off date for getting your physical donations to us this year is NOVEMBER 28th. We inspect every donation and check expiration dates so we need time to get things packed and ready for mailing by the December 3rd shipping deadline. If you need a special appointment to drop off donations please do not hesitate to email or call us to set something up. Please remember that we are an all volunteer organization and it may take a day or two for someone to get back to you. We will be adding extra drop off and packing hours so keep an eye on the scrolling ticker at the top of our home page or the almost daily updates on Facebook.

Now on to our current fundraisers!

The AMVETS Post 136 Ladies Auxiliary, in conjunction with Blue Ridge Communications, are collecting items for the Stockings for Soldiers initiative in their lobby located at 614 South State Street in Ephrata.Thanks to Cindy and the other girls who assisted with the Bon Ton coupon book sale too! http://www.snews.com/ Read the full story!
We have once again partnered with Blue Ridge Communications to collect items and monetary donations at their offices statewide! Last year they did such an awesome job of rallying the community to support our troops that we were amazed. They collected nearly one TON of donations and raised almost $2,000 for shipping. This year they are again going all out to help us help our soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen. You can sign a card, drop off items or drop off a check or money order for postage at ANY Blue Ridge Communications office by November 21st. They will work out the details of getting the items to us for sorting, packing and shipping. Be sure to watch your local Blue Ridge tv channel for public service announcements or check your billing statement for more info on how you can be part of this wonderful community effort! http://www.brctv.com

The Haunted Woods Zionsville is a truly scary frightfest and benefit that raises funds for us every year during October. Every Saturday and Sunday you can stop by, make a $5.00 donation and be led through the woods of terror on the Slonaker property. Saturday nights feature a DJ who spins traditional Halloween tunes with some current rock thrown in for good measure. You can get more information and see some photos on their website. http://www.hauntedwoodszionsville.com/
The Bon Ton Community Day event had been extended to 2 days this year to allow more shoppers to help their favorite charities. This works out very well for us and I am hoping it will mean we get to see more of our old friends there. The coupon books for the event are still only $5.00 and every book we sell allows us to ship one more Christmas stocking. In return you get a coupon for $10.00 off any purchase of $10.00 or more on the event days of November 11th & 12th! there are a few exclusions so be sure to read the rules carefully. There are also coupons in the book totaling over $200.00 on lots of items for yourself or for those on your Christmas list! Now be sure to mark these dates: October 29th from 10 AM to 4 PM we will be pre-selling the coupon books at the Bon Ton store in Berkshire Mall Wyomissing, PA 19610. We will also be in the same store selling on November 11th from 9 AM to 5 PM and the 12th from 7 AM to 3 PM. Be sure to look for our table and get your coupon books from us so we can support our troops in true holiday style! You can also order books online by sending us an email for instructions to pay via Paypal. Books purchased can be used in any Bon Ton store! Keep in mind that you can use up to 5 of those $10.00 coupons if you are purchasing 5 eligible items so feel free to order more than 1 book for yourself and your family members! More info on Community Days can be found on their website. http://communitydayevent.com/

We will list more events and fundraisers as they become available or we finalize details.

**We are still looking for more volunteers in our office every Wednesday and Saturday and can use some extra help for some of the events listed above. We could also use some help updating the website a couple times per week and that can be done from home or our office.We know that money is tight and believe me, we have struggled to keep the support flowing the last 3 years but we will NOT give up. All our troops deserve the best we can give them and their families deserve our support while their loved one is serving our country. If you cannot donate money or items you can certainly donate a few hours to help those who are making a daily sacrifice for us. It costs nothing to give your time to help us pack or to gather your family around the kitchen table and write a few letters of thanks and support. Every event that we go to and every gathering we attend there are hundreds of people who say "they support our troops" and say "they want to help". I know that what I am about to say may make some folks mad but I have to say this: The time has come for all those people to stop talking and start doing! If you can afford to make a monetary donation.....do it! If you want to run a collection.....get out of your chair and do it! If you want to express your thanks for all our military and military families have done and continue to do.....send us an email or call us! We can get you started. You don't always need money to make a difference.

The bottom line is stop talking and start doing!

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

Friends Helping Friends

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 07:45:00 -0700

Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends event is a special day filled with fun and fundraising to benefit area non-profit organizations.

Tickets to Friends Helping Friends are available from participating 501c3 non-profit organizations. Each participating organization will have the opportunity to sell a $5 discount shopping pass to the event that’s good for 25% off* almost all purchases during Friends Helping Friends Day October 4th, 2011! 100% of the ticket donation goes directly to the selling organization, and donors will have the opportunity to win fabulous prizes, while enjoying refreshments and entertainment throughout the store.

Please come out and help Keystone Soldiers raise the money we need for shipping Christmas Stocking to Soldiers serving our country. We will be doing a pre-sale on Friday September 30th, 2011 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Fairgrounds Mall location. We will also be available in the store the day of the event from 9 AM to 5 PM. Please be sure to look for us. Our troops are counting on the morale support we provide, not only during the holiday season, but all year!

(*Certain exclusions may apply. Complete details are printed on the shopping passes.)

Honorfest 2011

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:38:00 -0700

****URGENT UPDATE: Due to the flooding and weather we have had in the local areas and the extraordinary strain that has been placed upon our "First Responders", the leadership team for HonorFest 2011 have moved the date of HonorFest 2011 to Saturday October 1st. We feel that it will be in the regions best interest to allow the "First Responders" to complete the tasks of dealing with the floods and then be able to properly thank them even more for their outstanding efforts. ****

Our office will be open tomorrow Sat Sept 10th from 10 AM to 1 PM. We have some packages to get shipped and we must get our coloring pages ready for HonorFest 2011 - Honoring Hometown Heroes next Saturday Oct 1st. We will be offering a coloring page with a thank you message to the troops at our table. We will also have information available about our organization and volunteer opportunities. We still need a couple volunteers to help out at our table or help Mark with the event. Call or email if you are available to help.

My son is a soldier.....

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:12:00 -0700

My son is a soldier

I can reveal this with pride

(the fear is hidden just below the surface, I confide).

He's a real American hero

Who believes in democracy

(yet there is an inner whisper that wants him here with me).

I am honored to be his mother

I brag of him through the day

(but I can't help but wonder if there isn't a better way?).

My son is a strong, brave soldier

Who says he's prepared to die

(he's not aware of the late night hours that I just sit and cry).

I wear a ribbon and a flag

Upon my collar every day

(but alone at night, I bow my head, for my baby boy I pray.).

I have no idea who the author of this poem is but I found it on another military mom's blog page and wanted to share it. It is a pretty close expression of my feelings and I am sure many other military parents in the U.S.

~Lordzmom

Hometown Heroes Night!

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 07:35:43 -0700

Don't forget to come out to the Ephrata, PA Hometown Heroes salute today!
Lot's of fun, food, games and entertainment for the whole family. There will be information from quite a few military related groups, including Keystone Soldiers! Join us to celebrate our veterans......our heroes! On Main St Ephrata, PA 5 to 8 PM!

Saturday 6/25/2011

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 07:30:41 -0700

Tomorrow is the day! The Flea Market Fundraiser at Keystone Soldiers office in Leesport, PA. Tons of new stuff has come in to help us raise money to ship care packages to the troops. Wayyyyy too much to list here so you will just have to come out and see. The fun starts at 7 AM and we could still use a couple more volunteers to help us set up at 6 AM! The address is on our Info page on FB or on the website. See you at Schoolside Plaza bright and early!! Hurry before the good stuff is gone!

Keystone Soldiers
PO Box 252
5 S. Centre Ave (Route 61)
Schoolside Plaza Suite A-1
Leesport, PA 19533

We are 8 miles south of the Route 61 South exit on Route 78/22 and 6 miles north of the Route 61 North exit of Route 222!

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

Flea Market Fundraiser!

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 07:06:44 -0700

Please join us for our annual Flea Market Fundraiser on Saturday June 25th from 7 AM to ???! We have lots of donated items coming in to help us raise money for shipping of care packages to the troops. Just a few of the items we have already are video games & game systems, DVDs, CDs & a large CD rack, office size copier (floor model), books, cookbooks, coffee makers, lamps, curtains, toys, games, 2 shop vacs, baskets, AB slide, floor steamer mop, decorative household items and some beautiful Christmas snow globes!

The fundraiser will be held at our packing office. We are on Route 61 across from Turkey Hill and next door to Burger King. For those who are not familiar with the area or need GPS directions our address is:

5 S. Centre Ave
P.O. Box 252
Schoolside Plaza
Leesport, PA 19533

If you have items you would like to donate to help us raise money you may drop them off at our office any Tuesday or Saturday from 10 AM to Noon or call for an appointment. We are only looking for new or gently used items please.

The entire building will be participating in the Flea Market but please be aware that ONLY items purchased from our tables will have the money go to support our troops! There are spaces available to the public for $10.00 if you are interested in having a table on June 26th.

Please come out and show your support for our troops by making a purchase or a donation for shipping of care packages!

Mother's Day Spa Care Packages

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 21:00:21 -0700

Our current project is to make spa packages for the female troops to be delivered in time for Mother's Day. We are looking for "girly" stuff like manicure kits, foot soak, foot cream, inflatable foot soak tubs, bath pouffs, small loofahs, small towels, hand cream, nail polish (light colors or clear please), ladies white cotton socks, slippers, facials, good face cream or moisturizer, mascara, barrettes and pony tail holders, chick flicks (movies) and microwave popcorn. We also hope to include phone cards so that the mothers can call home on their day to talk with their children.

We need everything in small size bottles and packages. We have plenty of shampoo and conditioner and body wash. We could use a few current fashion magazines and People magazines but no books.

We must have everything in our office by April 20th so we can get it shipped by the 23rd. We will also need monetary help to get the packages mailed on time. We need approximately $5,000 for postage and another $2,000 for phone cards. We have about 240 females on our list at the present time.

Please help us make this spa day a success for the ladies who give so much for our country. We hope they will be able to relax and forget about how far away from home they are even if it only for a few hours.

If you would like to request a package for your deployed female loved one please send us an email with their name and shipping address. Please include a list of any other items they may need.