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Hey party peeps! As many of you know, I am a brand new Navy Mom! My son is on his first deployment and while I am so very proud, I wasn’t prepared for the wave of emotions I’m feeling as he sets sail to help keep America safe. With little to no communication, I have to find some other way to send my love and support, SO…me and the kids have decided to do what we can and Spread the Joy and Create a Holiday Military Care Package for him to receive since he can’t be with us.
It all started with an email I got from my son on his 2nd day of deployment where he is checking in as all good sons should do, right? Anyway, I am super excited when I see his name on my email list…settle in to read it…pull it up and here is what it said: “Hey Mom, it’s Day 2, I’m fine…please send me some snacks…especially Slim Jims! Love you!” Really? THIS was the powerful, heartfelt email I’ve been waiting for? Well, I immediately did what any other Navy Mom would do…I grabbed my keys and off to Walmart I headed (teary-eyed and all) to get my baby some Slim Jims plus a few other goodies I knew he would love.
The kids were very excited to go with me and help pick out some snacks for his care package. My youngest son, Michael found it hilarious that his big brother wanted Slim Jims with a zombie on the package! When we got back, we had a few things we knew he would love and that would travel well. I found out from some of my other Navy Mom friends that Slim Jims are a very popular snack on the ships and helps with their meat cravings! LOL! I had no idea…so I bought him two of the 26-count boxes so he would have plenty to enjoy.
Since Christmas was coming we decided to decorate the inside of the shipping box and make it festive by wrapping the inside with festive wrapping paper and making Christmas Cards to send along. We also thought would be funny to wrap one of the Slim Jim boxes so he could have the experience of opening a present at Christmas.
There are many active military that don’t ever receive care packages like this. There is a non-profit called Molly’s Adopt a Sailor that can help you get your care packages to deployed Navy Sailors. Help Spread The Joy this holiday season and consider creating your own Military Care Package and sending it. I’m sure the smiles on their faces when they receive a bit of comfort from home from a stranger is priceless…AND…don’t forget the Slim Jims!
Happy Holidays & Fair Winds and Following Seas Son!
Tonya
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I really love this idea. I don’t have any relatives in the service, but I would love to send a special package to a few of our service men and women.
This is such a great idea! My girl scout troop has done this in the past and I think it’s a great idea to do every year!
My dad, brother and uncle all were in the service. This is something that is near and dear to my heart. What a great idea.
first of all your kids are beautiful. This is blog just melts my heart.Excellent idea.
What an awesome care package. I love that the kids got to join in to create something meaningful!
I love this. What a fabulous idea, and I think spreading joy is such a wonderful thing to do and teach kids!
I love Slim Jims, or any kind of beef jerky really!! Great post!!
This is so great! Care packages are a great way to send a little love to someone far away.
This is an awesome campaign. It would be so nice to make someone smile this Christmas. I will check this out.
I totally love this care package idea! It’s so nice teaching kids this kinds of meaningful and heartfelt gestures!
The kiddos look like they had an amazing time putting all of this together! You know you are sending the right message when you get that kind of response from your kids. Such a great way to give back!
What a nice way for your soldier son to have a piece of home with him. My second oldest son retired from the military last year. He did two tours of duty to Iraq and it was the most unsettling times of our lives. Care packages help the troops big time and it’s a small thing that we can do for them. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
I love the idea of making care packages for Military people. I will have to get my family to do this.
I love how you surprised your son with this gift basket! It certainly is something that Slim Jim is their favorite snack on the ship! #client
That is such an awesome idea! I love how your kids got so involved!
I just got all teary eyed reading that post. It must be so hard to have him away for the holidays. I love the cards his siblings made him. So much fun. I hope you have a great Christmas…
My brother is serving in the Army. They really appreciate these packages and I hear that they share with those who don’t get gifts.
Thanks to your son for his service! I have had family who served so I know the feeling! We definitely sent them TONS of regular care packages. 🙂