**For People Not On my friends List**

[lawkon]

This Journal Is Friends Only

Anyone wishing to add me as a friend, feel free. Just let me know you have done so. And I will add you back when I can.

Thanks!

Comments

[cookie_chef]

Ray,

You are more than welcome! We have individuals and families across the nation that are involved (not to mention about 200 school children locally!).

The community was created originally for our volunteers although we do have active duty, spouses and extended families that have joined. It is not necessary to join to be 'adopted'. From time to time, I'll have information on military friendly merchants, legislation affecting our troops, etc.

If you'd like to consider being paired with one of our supporters (you are under no obligation but they typically send letters, cards and may also send care packages) please let me know. I am including the registration form below.

*****

This e-mail includes a registration form that we use for our deployed Service Members. If you or someone you know is interested, please fill it out and return it to me. Typically what happens is once a Service Member registers with us, he or she will be assigned to one or two Patriot Pen Pal volunteers. Once the person's name has been selected for an 'adoption', it will be placed back into rotation and may be chosen again at a later date to receive additional support 'from home'.

Unlike many similar sites, the continued safety of our troops is my first and biggest concern. For that reason, you have my assurance that your personal contact information will never appear in a public forum. Names of Service Members are not distributed

Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions. I'll look forward to hearing from you.

--Tiffany
http://www.livejournal.com/community/patriotpenpals/

**********

Do you know of a Service Member who could benefit from the morale boost of a supportive letter or package 'from home'? Are you currently deployed and would like to receive more mail? Please provide the following information:

* If not currently deployed, what is the expected date of deployment?
* The complete APO/FPO mailing address with rank and full name of the Service Member (Exactly as it should appear on an envelope, omitting the rank if necessary)
* The e-mail address if there is access to a computer (Either personal or military--keep in mind this would be given to an 'adopter'--someone volunteering in our program)
* Optional: The online journal username (If applicable--this will not be given out without your consent) and the name of the journal service (i.e. Live Journal, My Space, etc.)
* What branch of Service is the military member in?
* The age and birthday of the Service Member (We like to be able to recognize it if they celebrate their special day during the deployment!)
* What approximate date is the unit expected to return back to the US? (So we can make a note of when a Mail Stop goes into effect for the participating Pen Pal members)
* What base is the Service Member deployed from? Where does he/she consider 'home'?
* A title or a brief job description (Chaplain, Medic, etc)
* What is the parent unit, the main unit which the Service Member would fall under (i.e. 1st Infantry Division, etc)
* Is there a unit website available?
* The approximate number of Service Members in the unit (Answer only if permitted, this information is not disclosed to volunteers)
* An approximate ratio of males to females (If applicable; Again, this information is not disclosed)
* The living conditions (Conex, etc)
* Anything we might need to know if a care package is sent (For example, are there showers available or will baby wipes be needed? Microwaves or DVD players available? Electricity, 110 or 220? Laundry service provided? Calling cards necessary?)
* Is there anything that the unit would rather not receive because they have plenty of a given item? (i.e. Junk food, sunscreen, etc.)
* Special interest or hobbies?
* Anything else we need to take into consideration when pairing the Service Member up with an 'adoption'?

Information may be sent to Tiffany at:

balloonsstreamers@yahoo.com (primary/personal e-mail address) or
patriotpenpals@yahoo.com (alternate/group e-mail address)

Let me know if you have any questions.