Helpful information…

On Monday I shared “A Letter From Jesus” which included a list of things we might do in order to put the focus of the season back where it belongs.  I’ve had a lot of positive feedback.  If you are interested in doing some of the things on “Jesus’ wish list”, here is some information that might be helpful.

• If you’d like to write to President Obama or send him a Christmas card, here is the address:

President Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

One source I read recommended including your email address on the letter or inside the card.  I’ve got my card ready to mail today. 

• If you’d like to send a card or letter to someone serving in the military, there are several options.  Unfortunately one can no longer simply address it to “Any Soldier” but must have a specific name.  There are several sites online from which to obtain names but the ones I saw either want a donation or are more of the pen pal/dating sort.  I did, however, receive the following address from a friend.  You can send signed greetings to this chaplain and he will distribute them to those who don’t receive much mail.  Please note that these are marines and corpsmen and should be addressed as such, rather than “soldier”.  If you include your address, some may write back.

Chaplain Keith Russell
1/8 H&S Co.
Unit 73200
FPO AE 09510-3200 

Other suggestions I received were to contact your local recruiting office or National Guard unit.  In addition, here are some links you might want to check out.  I haven’t personally participated in these so I can’t vouch for them – read them carefully.  

http://anysoldier.com/WhereToSend/

http://www.operationlovefromhome.org/

http://www.redcross.org/holidaymail
If you are in Canada:
http://www.redfridays.ca/christmascard.html

Most have a deadline of December 10th so if you want to do this you’ll need to hurry.  I’ve got my cards sitting on my desk and plan to get them signed and mailed this afternoon.

Yesterday I took some large bags of salad leftover from a fund raiser to our area youth shelter.  While I was there I asked what sort of things they could use as donations.  Of course cash is always good but they also mentioned personal hygiene items like soap, shampoo and toothpaste.  David and I travel quite a bit and even though we bring our own, I always bring home those little bottles of shampoo and conditioner, as well as any soap we don’t use.  I have donated these in the past to a homeless organization but I currently have a couple of shoe boxes plus a big drawer crammed full of them.  I’m gathering them all up to take to the shelter later today.  If you or anyone you know travels often, please consider donating them to a youth shelter, battered women’s shelter or homeless shelter.  It costs you nothing but means a lot to the recipient. 

I’ve got a noon meeting to attend with the local recycling coalition so I’m a bit pressed for time this morning but later today or tomorrow I’ll share some excellent charities you might want to consider donating to or purchasing from this holiday season.  If you have any similar suggestions, leave them in the comments and I’ll include them in my next post. 

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