It's that time of the year again!!! March of Dimes time!!! We're collecting if you're donating. Although Maddie will be walking, all donations are flat (not the $1 per mile thing). Contact me here in comments, phone, email, or in person if you want to donate. Even $1 is awesome.

Here's our "Awwwwww" heartstring picture to get you motivated to give us money.

( Set your faces to...awwww. )

OK everyone...Jon's traveling altar book will pretty much be done in a few days. I'm sending it soon. I am also constructing a care package to send. I will, of course, send TOO much so that he can share with his brothers (and sisters!). Anyone who wants to contribute can. Here's a list of some of the things I'm gathering. No sunscreen please. They have that issued to them in gallons. Nothing that can melt please. If you must add chocolate, they suggest M&Ms.

# Baby Wipes - packets are better than tubs.
# Beef Jerky/Slim Jims
# Energy Bars (Power Bar, etc. - Unless a specific brand is requested, much better than standard civilian energy bars are the "HOOAH!" brand energy bar based on the U.S. military's own specially formulated bar that better meets the soliers' needs)
# Hot Sauce (Tabasco, Red Devil, etc.) - wrap glass bottle in duct tape and place in doubled zip-lock bags
# Sunflower seeds
# Peanuts
# Seasoning Salt (Lawry's, etc.)
# Atomic Fireballs / Jolly Rancher hard candy (for service member use)
# Smarties or SweetTart candies (for local children who prefer sour style candy to build relationships with community)
# Powdered Energy/Electrolyte Replacement Drink Mix (Gatorade, etc.)
# Chewing Gum
# Avon Skin So Soft - great for removing face paint and also reputed to be an effective bug repellant (the latter seems variable based on personal experience and reports)
# AA-cell Alkaline Batteries
# Personal Hygiene Gear: Disposable Razors, Toothbrush and Tooth Paste
# Eye Wash / Drops (Visine, etc.) for flushing dust and sand out of the eyes
# Zip-Lock style Plastic Storage Bags - assorted sizes, heavier freezer style are better
# Copenhagen Snuff in a tin ("Even if the service member doesn't dip snuff, they will be a hero and have more power than the Commanding Officer if they have a 'log' (10 cans) of 'Hagen.' A large percentage of infantry use this stuff and it is hard to get. The stuff they do get comes in a plastic can and tastes terrible. The 'Stateside Hagen' is the most powerful bargaining tool in a field environment!")
# Pre-paid Phone Card so service member can call home

I will be taking donations until the second week of February. If you get them to me late I'll just make another package. :)

ETA: We can add some paperback books but if you do, please be aware of the content. So as not to offend their Muslim hosts, please don't include or consider anything pornographic (even soft-core) or with overt sex scenes (such as those bodice rippers...that I'm pretty sure soldiers would be interested anyway).

The full donation will include the names of every organization, person, kindred, group, fellowship, and coven that contributed so long as you want it listed.