 | We gathered at the National Guards Armory to have our 5th Family Support
Group meeting. At our meeting this time we had Barb Wing from the Lutheran
Social Services talk to us about finances. She brought out some very valuable
ideas on how to Live Below Your Means in order to save money for needs down
the road that we may not expect. A gold nugget she gave us was to view this
change ….not as a life sentence but rather as a life preserver. Another nugget
was to view your household as a business. You have revenue and you have
expenses…..Make a commitment to save money. Credit card companies want us to
live in a spending coma with an attitude of “we deserve it all”. But we need
to be realistic and know our limits. |
| Also, Heather Kallhoff is planning on doing another CD in July. We will be
changing the site for the pictures to the Riverside Park. Heather said that
the lake was too bright for photos. We will try to work with everyone’s
schedules but please be patient. It is wonderful that Heather has volunteered
her time to us. Also, if this day does not work for you, Webster is having her
come to Wylie Park in Aberdeen. If neither time works out for you please
expect to pay for a sitting fee to go to her office. Heather has given us a
deadline of July 24th for the office time so she can have the CD’S to us by
August 1st. |
| Our next meeting will be held at the NG Armory. The Redeemer Church is
booked. The really great news is that Qadir Aware, a native to Kurdistan is
going to be at the next family support meeting to talk to us about his flight
from the country of Iraq and his involvement in the Sioux Falls community in
regards to helping people understand Cultural Diversity and also the Kurdish
people’s struggle under the government of Iraq and Saddam Hussein’s regime.
Sgt. Scott Rosenkranz who is with the 727th will be available also to answer
questions. |
| Yvette Hayes has agreed to help out with the screened pillowcases. If you
are interested in having one for your home, children or to send one to your
soldier, you will need to get the pillowcase and photo to Yvette. We should
try to get this done in a window of time so that it does not drag on for weeks
and weeks. We don’t want anyone who volunteers for a job to be put
under a long tiresome burden for a lengthy time period. So let’s say we get
the pillowcase and picture off to her within a 3 week window span? Does this
sound fair? Send them to Yvette Hayes . Pillow cases will cost $1.00 each to
have the screen put on. Please label them well to make it easier for Yvette.
|
| Col Marlette spoke to the Family Support Group and told us the morale was
high and told us the mission our soldiers were sent to Iraq for is being
fulfilled. A question about R & R for our soldiers was asked and Col Marlette
said that is a difficult part of the mission. He said he wished everyone could
return to their families for a vacation, but it is a moving target. Not
everyone will be able to get the R & R so the next best thing we can do to
support our troops is to be happy for those who do get to come home to see
their families. He also said they are happy with the packages that are coming
to the soldiers….Keep the packages and letters coming. |
| One thing we as a support group could do for the Iraqi children is put
together a box of pens, pencils, paper tablets, balls, beanie babies, shoes,
McDonalds toys, ….. toys that your children would like. We can put a box
together to send over to make some children a little happier. A great idea is
to get your children involved with this and let them feel the joy of giving to
those who are less fortunate. |
| Jamie Kenny’s mother made a crocheted blanket and it was suggested that we
e-mail Sharon Roberts ideas on what to do with the blanket. It is done in
camouflage colors. |
| Some of us would also like ideas from the support group on cheaper ways to
pay for phone calls. How are you saving on that end? Bring your ideas to the
next meeting. |
| Subject: Post office supplies
I actually ordered 200 boxes (25 in a case) as the email below states. It
is the US Post Office so it is legit. Dial the 1-800-number and you will press
1 for English then 4 for packing materials. Wait for the operator and she'll
walk you thru ordering after getting your mailing info/address. Reference the
list of materials below to ask for what you want. If you are ordering bulk, I
suggest that you don't ask for personalized labels (common sense) unless you
know the soldiers addresses already. I ordered 200 blanks. Anyone can order
for a single service member as well. Hope this helps ~ 1stSgt Marquez |
| For you soldiers out there….the kids and family members back home here are
enjoying the post cards you are sending…..Great idea. They make a great
Memory. |
| T- Shirts are at the Armory for those of you who did not pick yours up at
the last meeting. Someone should be at the armory between 8:00 and 4:30. If
you are coming from out of town you may want to call ahead. |
| There is an organization called Hot Mom….a support group for mothers of
soldiers. They meet once a month and if you are interested in getting together
with other moms like yourself to share and reach out to each other call Judie
De Wald at 886.6767 or e-mail at
priairiefires@earthlink.net |
| We had a great number for our Family Support Group meeting this last
month…..Let’s continue to help each other and support each other. Come to lend
an ear and a hand. |
