Survivors in Afghanistan Need Immediate Help - 56 Soldiers Lost EVERYTHING

UPDATE as of 11 OCTOBER 2009 - the American Legion will be accepting donations for their projects for the survivor's of the Battle of COP Keating through Wednesday 14 October 2009.  If you still want to help out PLEASE GO TO THEIR SITE BY CLICKING HERE to help them finish up the great work they are doing.

I will have a new post on my blog (not a part of this one) in the coming days to report all that was donated and is on the way.  Check back later in the week to see what an incredible job you've all done.  What a fantastic team of great Americans!

The American Legion has taken on a different "part" of the project to get the Soldiers who lost everything back on their feet.  Please go to their website HERE to help them with their goal.

You have all been MORE than generous.  Those guys will have NO question that they are loved and appreciated and, more importantly right now, thought of.  Give yourself all a huge pat on the back!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! - Please read to the end of this update  (7 OCT 2009 1930 hrs)

We are "mission accomplished" for the replacement of personal articles for the Soldiers from COP Keating.  I still have a few emails to respond to but our list is 95% complete.  HOWEVER there is still an opportunity to help them via a great project with the American Legion.  Please visit their site and help them out.

Bob and I cannot begin to thank all of you for your generosity.  We have enjoyed every one of your emails, messages and calls.  Simply amazing that so many have come together in little over 36 hours to do so much.  HOOAH!  If we have corresponded and are still working though details and/or logistics bear with me and we'll get everything tied up.

UPDATE as of 7 OCT 1430 hrs

We do NOT need fleece blankets, wash clothes or towels.  Still need everything else on the list below

UPDATE as of 7 OCT 09 1300 hrs

STILL NEED

Winter Wool Hiking Socks - mostly size 9-12 but a few 13+

ACU tshirts - Need 50 size large

Boxer briefs - have received none.  Need 6 small, 60 medium, 42 large and 4 XLarge

Towels and wash clothes - Need 40 sets of each, darker colors preferred

Fleece throw size blankets - Need 30

Donations towards the purchase of both winter and summer PT clothes

Donations towards the replacement of name tapes, unit patches, etc. for their new uniforms.

DO NOT NEED

Athletic shoes

Gloves

White socks

Toiletries

Shower Shoes

UPDATE as of 6 OCT 09 2130 hrs

I'm still working through a list of emails from so many of you.  THANK YOU.  And thank you for your patience.  I don't have the speadsheet update in full yet but I do know that we are mostly still in need of:

ACU tshirts - see original post for sizes and quanitities

Waterproof winter gloves (dark colors)

Balaclavas

Socks - white and winter wool for hiking

12 pairs of shower shoes

Pillows

Towels and wash clothes

PT clothes - winter and summer

Cash donations towards the purchase of athlectic shoes for PT

Shaving cream

WE DO NOT NEED any more

Toiletries - Razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste

Thank you all so much for the great response.  I will do my best to get some solid numbers to you by end of day tomorrow.

UPDATE AS OF 6 OCT 09 1400 hrs

All winter knit hats have been donated

10 sets of twin sheets have been donated

30 pairs of shower shoes have been donated

2 pairs of size Medium ACUs have been donated (even though we weren't asking for those but HOOAH)

$325.00 in cash has been committed

About 20 individuals and organizations have contacted me and are going to donate but I don't have specific items or amounts yet.  Hope to have more info by end of day or tomorrow.

A couple of people have inquired as to why we need to know what and how many items they are donating.  The reason is because we want to keep up with the items to make sure we cover all they need and don't have excess in some areas and not enough in others.  I will continue to update here as I get firm committments about what is being donated.  Most of all we appreciate ALL of you for pitching in and working on this as a team with us.  We will be "briefing" the CSM via email tonight.  I will post his reply here (assuming he has time to respond).

Like so many of you my heart has been heavy since the news of the attacks on our posts in Afghanistan on Saturday.  The families of the Fallen are first and foremost in my thoughts and prayers.  May God give them strength and comfort as they prepare to lay their loved ones to rest and may they always know that there are many of us out here who will ALWAYS remember their sons, brothers, fathers and husbands.

On another note, my great friend and troop support partner, Bob Connolly and I have been in direct contact with the unit's CSM after learning that the base was destroyed and the men lost all of their belongs except the clothes on their backs.  The Army is working to replace uniforms for the men.  But they need assistance with other personal items.  And they NEED TO KNOW that we are thinking about them over here, too. 

Please contact me IMMEDIATELY to help fill their "needs" list below.

Socks (both white socks and winter wool hiking socks)

MED - 24
LG - 22
XL - 10

Underwear (boxers and boxer briefs

SM - 3
MED - 30
LG - 21
XL - 2

tshirts (must be Army ACU tshirts - Army will issue for immediate need but extras are always helpful)

SM - 3
MED - 30
LG - 21
XL - 2

PT shorts (or long pants) and shirts

SM - 3
MED - 30
LG - 21
XL - 2

Shower shoes

MED - 24
LG - 22
XL - 10

Towels, wash clothes, twin sheet sets, pillows, blankets (fleece)- Need 56 sets 

Razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream - Need enough for 56 men

Running shoes - we are awaiting specific sizes

The above items are the "immediate" needs.

Other suggestions are:

balaclavas, knit caps to fit under helmets (dark colors), winter gloves (dark colors and preferably water proof)

iPods, DVDs, MP3 players and movies, batteries, digital cameras.

Please contact me ASAP via emial tankerbabelc@gmail.com.  We want to work to assure every Soldier is covered with basics first so it is important that we track the donated items.  If you prefer to make a monetary donation I can give you information to do so.

Bob is getting some goodie boxes out to them today just to let the know we are behind them.  We need to get these other items in route ASAP.

Many thanks!