Assemble care packages for soldiers

Come help me assemble 40-50 care packages for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. The assembly will be on Sunday, 11/8, from 1:30 - 5pm in Jamaica Plain (Boston). Info on location and directions wil be provided to those who RSVP Yes; the site is MBTA, car, and handicapped accessible. In addition, I need 3 people with cars to come to my house in JP at 12:30 or 1:00 to pick up the goods and ferry them over to the assembly site (2 miles away) -- please let me know if you can do this. I NEED FIRM COMMITMENTS FROM PEOPLE! IF YOU RSVP YES, that means you are definitely coming and not going to change your plans at the last minute (barring emergencies, of course!). So if you're not sure, then please RSVP "No" with the comment "interested, will know by ___date"--if there's room, you can always change your RSVP later. For more information on my care package efforts, go to: http://www.rebeccakushner.net/soldiers/ Candy for our Troops I'm running a new program--a Halloween candy drive: Put out a box in your office, school, etc. and post a flyer (see my website) letting people know it's for soldiers; people then donate their leftover Halloween candy ("Get it away from me so I don't eat it all!"). People shouldn't buy new candy--just donate what they already have and don't want. Go to my homepage--http://www.rebeccakushner.net/soldiers/ to get info packets for schools and dentists/pediatricians who want to run a candy drive. Items still Needed We will be assembling 50+ packages--a big task to assemble, since each package is the size of a liquor box and contains food/drink items, toiletries, foot powder, hydrocortisone, band-aids, entertainment items (books, magazines, CDs), gifts for Iraqi/Afghani kids, and more. Here are the major items I still need. (Please check my website--in the green box to stay current on what items I need, before you go shopping.) most important items I need: --bootlaces (need 12-15; 72" only; cheap at Job Lots) --white gym socks (need 15; men's medium) --Sudoku/crossword puzzle magazines (need 10; prefer small size; try dollar store/Target--$1/each) --deodorant (need 25) --pencils (need 100-200) --try dollar store or Staples (72 pencils/box) --eraser tops for pencils -- try dollar store, Dollar Tree store, or Staples--buy bulk of 100-300 --cheap pencil sharpeners (DON'T buy ones with tubs--too expensive and take up too much room); try Dollar Tree store/dollar store--they have 8-12 sharpeners/cardboard backing; need 100-300 Letters I also need letters! I like to include 10-15 letters with each package. Can you write a chatty, 1-page typed letter? Just write about your daily life--saw a good movie, had dinner with friends, work is busy/slow--the type of topics you'd write to an elderly aunt. Don't discuss politics, the war, religion, or anything controversial. E-mail me your letters, and I'll make 30 copies, so every soldier gets a set of letters. Since these packages are going as Christmas packages, you're also welcome to bring Christmas cards--buy a pack of 20 or 40 and sign your name to every one, so each soldier will get multiple cards. Let me know if you have any questions about the care packages or the assembly on 11/8! Rebecca