Christmas Tree Decorations Packed!

November 28, 2010 at 6:56 pm | In Uncategorized by admin
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NOTE: To enlarge an image click it.

Janice Lauer sorting decorations.

Janice & I worked from about 10 AM to 3:30 PM on Sunday, November 28, 2010, sorting and packing decorations donated for the 8 Christmas Trees we mailed out to the soldiers this year.

Notable among the items we packed were:

Handmade Decorative Baskets made by Brenda Essen.

Bows and Bells also made by Brenda Essen.

Ornaments Hand Painted with Markers.

75 Homemade Cards and 5 Letters from St. Peter's After School.

240 Ornaments and Cards from: students of Wells Elementary School, East Moline IL; and Jr/Sr High Students from Grace United Methodist in Geneseo IL.

The effort to make the decorations shown in the last photo above was spearheaded by Sarah and Chuck Hilman.

Here are some photos Sarah sent of the students:

Some of Sarah Hilman's kids at work.

One of Sarah Hilman's students hard at work.

Another of Sarah Hilman's students selecting glitter.

Sarah Hilman's Students - Group Shot.

Some of the store bought decorations.

Large foam snowflakes were among the items donated by Pam Brauner on behalf of CCIT.

Janice Lauer sorted and coordinated color schemes of the decorations.

A large variety of holiday cards were sent for the soldier's to use to write home.

Each soldier received a stocking.

Christmas Music CD’s were sent too.
Each received: Bing Crosby’s “Merry Christmas”; Nat King Cole’s “Chestnuts Roastin'”; and “Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir”.

8 Packages sealed with custom forms completed.

I plan to mail these tomorrow, Monday November 29, 2010.

PLEASE help me in this last remaining week by donating goodies or by making a cash contribution so we can complete the Christmas Shipment this coming Saturday.

Please Help Encourage Sierra, The Youngest Honoree In The Cincinnati Jingle Bell Walk/Run

November 24, 2010 at 7:18 pm | In Uncategorized by admin
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Sierra is the 5 year old daughter of Sabrina and Jay Schnarrenberg, two brave soldiers we supported during their deployment in Iraq a few years back. This precious angel has Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, a debilitating and painful condition that in Sierra’s case has affected 21 of her joints to varying degrees.

Sierra is the youngest honoree in the Cincinnati Jingle Bell Walk/Run on December 4, and she plans to walk the full 5 miles (see slideshow of honorees at http://2010cincinnatijbr.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=344075).  Her mother, Sabrina, is planning on putting together a poster of cards sent to Sierra to offer support for her effort. It is doubtful she will be able to walk the entire way–her younger brother will go in a twin stroller to cover the “I can’t walk anymore!” when it happens.

If anyone has a spare postcard or greeting card and would like to send her a note of support for the poster – email me at HelpSierra@troop-support.com.  In the email remind me who you are and I will send back her postal address.  Sorry for the extra step in getting her postal address, but I’ve got to protect her.

Her mom and dad stood up for us – will you please join me and stand up for this precious angel.

Fallen Patriot – Corporal Jacob R. Carver

November 22, 2010 at 5:01 pm | In Uncategorized by admin
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Above is a You Tube tribute by “DontTreadOnMe2010″.


Jacob Carver



From his obituary at KansasCity.com

CARVER Army Corporal Jacob Russell Carver, 20, Freeman, MO, died in action on Saturday, November 13, 2010 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Services 10 a.m., Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Harrisonville. Visitation 6-9 p.m., Monday, with Rosary at 5:30 p.m., at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville. Burial in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville. Contributions to Corporal Jacob Carver Memorial Fund, c/o Commerce Bank, Harrisonville. Jacob was born April 25, 1990 in Kansas City, MO, and was a 2008 graduate of Cass-Midway High School. He was a life-long resident of Freeman. Jacob was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat and Special Skills Badge. Jacob is survived by his parents, Art and Marie Carver, Freeman, MO; one brother, Tony Carver and wife, Kristin, Locust Grove, GA; one sister, Heather Godsell and husband, Justin, Logan, UT; nephew, Landon Godsell; two nieces, Paige and Kiera Godsell; paternal grandmother, Joan Carver, Freeman, MO; and maternal grandmother, Pauline Webster, Osceola, MO. (Arrangements Atkinson Funeral Home, 816-380-3268, atkinsonfuneralhome.com)

Click Here To Sign His Guest Book

Flags will be flown at half-staff all day at all Government Buildings on November 23, 2010.  Flags will continue to be flown at half-staff at all Government Buildings in Cass County from November 24, 2010 – November 29, 2010.

(CLICK image and CLICK subsequent image to enlarge)

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