Help for the Troops III

[mike55]

Fellow Pelicans;

It's coming up to that time of year when our thoughts start to turn to the holiday season and loved ones near and far. As you may recall, I've organized 2 donation drives to raise money for the purchase of pre-paid calling cards for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. They've been a great success, due in large part to the participation of Pelican members and guests.

This effort was meant to be an annual event falling around the winter holiday season; however, with the encouragement of several donors, a summer version was completed as well in July with great results. This version falls somewhat on the heels of that drive. However, I'd like to start this one now to give us enough time to get some of the calling cards into the hands of those over there in time for Christmas. The timing is purely symbolic, but it's always nice to open presents, no matter where you are.

So, in these extremely difficult times for many of us at home, I ask that you again take the time to think of those serving overseas, think of what they're going through, and make a donation of any amount to help out. You cand send a PayPal donation of any amount to troopcalls@ultrapatriot.com . As before, I'll post donor first names and last name initials and amounts for all to see. If you prefer to stay anonymous, just let me know. All donors will receive direct email notifications when purchases are made. No tax benefits to you or me.

IF you can't donate at this time, that's OK. Maybe you can help in other ways. Maybe you can spread the word to others and let them know they can help.

Feel free to drop me a line with any questions or comments via PM. Let's try keep the thread on topic. Kudos to Wayne D. for the time and space that has made this effort worthwhile. All the best,

Mike


p.s. For those unfamiliar with what we're doing, here's a link to the last drive's thread:

Help for the Troops IIb



Donations in the order received:

Mike R. $100
Louis G. $100
Tim R. $75
Mark S. $50
Kevin R. $40
Mike M. $25
Mike Z. $50
Anonymous $300
Anonymous $25
Rick M. $25
Felix K. $10
John D. $100
Aaron R. $25
Mark F. $15
Anonymous $50
Michael S. $100
Noby T. $60
Kirk F. $20
Mitchell L. $25
Kirk P. $25
Mike P. $20
Nathan V. $25
Terry C. $40
Mark P. $50
Kirk E. $100
Matt R. $25
Wayne D. $50
Russell N. $25
Don T. $100
Paul G. $100
Vernon L. $25
Jason W. $50
Joseph R. $20
Jim H. $80
Daniel G. $25
Tom W. $100
George M. $200
Anonymous $300


Total = $2555

[Shoepop]

Thanks very much for your effort once again Mike. Even if things are tough at home our soldiers have it tougher. Mark S

[mike55]

We're past the halfway point in this season's donation drive. With luck we'll meet and surpass last winter's total of $1853. However, we have about 3 weeks or so to do it and need all the help we can get. We've had 560+ views of the thread. So, I'd like to nudge those "lookers" to step up and give what you can. Again, any sized donation is appreciated, even the spare dollar in your Paypal account. Every bit will help.

At this point, I'd like to dedicate the effort of this drive to one of the members here, and 2-time donor, Kirk E. His son Brennan Gibson was killed in action in Baghdad on December 10, 2006. A young man of 26, taken far too early. I can't imagine the loss Kirk and his family experienced. Surely he's already given too much; however, Kirk continues to support Brennan's fellow soldiers through efforts like ours and others. Let's show him, all military parents and the soldiers that we care as well. The cards we purchase will be donated in Brennan's memory on behalf of all donors.

So, let's add to the good work we've done so far and make a difference again this Holiday Season.....

Thanks again to all and let's kick it up a notch!

Mike

p.s. There will be a 20% price reduction on the pre-paid cards we buy starting December 15th. This combined with a substantial reduction in the shipping/handling costs will mean more cards in more hands for the same amount of money. Donors, more on this as we get closer to purchase time.

[mike55]

Here's a reply from the RL thread. It's worth sharing here and speaks to what we're all trying to do:

"I am writing this from my "Hooch" at Camp Victory in Baghdad.

Mike, I can tell you from recent experience these cards really are appreciated by the hard working soldiers over here. The USO at Camp Virginia in Kuwait handed out these phone cards and they came in very handy while traveling between bases during deployment training.

I have to tell you that I am humbled every day by the stories of the sacrifices the young troops down range make on a daily basis. I have it easy, I work in a comfortable office and rarely go outside the wire. Many of these troops go in harms way on a daily basis and these cards make it easier them keep in touch with loved ones at home...so its definitely a worthy cause.

Bravo Zulu!"

As an aside, with what we've raised in the last 2 donation drives and what we've raised so far in this drive, we will have purchased over 40,000 minutes of talk time for our soldiers. That is sure to put smiles on families faces and ease the hardship of separation. Let's keep it up!

Happy Thanksgiving to all, especially our troops serving far from home. Even in tough times, we have much to be thankful for.


Mike

[keez]

I haven't posted on PP in quite awhile due to selling the 911 but now have an 86 BMW 535i and just haven't had the time to catch up with the boards. I received Mike's email concerning this year's donations and didn't think twice about donating again. I have my own personal reasons for doing this but the cause is worthy and benefits those soldiers that are a long way from home. It's hard to imagine the first timer (newbie), young soldier just out of Basic and AIT and going to Kuwait for orientation and then on to Iraq or Afghanistan for their first full tour of duty overseas as a soldier. Comfort zone is gone, new unit, new comrades to train with and develop and strengthen that trust factor that anyone in combat expects. The adrenalin has to be flowing, anticipation of what the next hour or day or week will bring. And you know what has to be a somewhat calming factor is a familiar voice from home whether it be a parent, wife, friend, the old goat down at the corner gas station that you worked for through high school....something familiar outside of what is reality that is being faced on a daily basis.
Guys, usually I don't say much about this subject due to personal nature of the subject and then again, there's times I can't say enough. I know its hard economic times (hey, I just got laid off on 11/30/08) but any amount that can be added to this fund is worthwhile. It's not seen or heard or touched by us the donors but this is something that will have a definite effect over the holidays for maybe that one soldier really needing a familiar voice to speak to.
I give Mike much respect for heading this over the past couple of years and to be honest I don't know if he has been directly effected by this war or not but whatever his reasons....he deserves a handshake and a stiff beer if I ever get to meet up with him.
Kirk Elliott
RIP son, SGT Brennan C Gibson, 12-10-79 to 12-10-06

[mike55]

OK guys and gals. I'm on a mission to improve upon what we've already accomplished and in order to do this, I'm going to sweeten the pot as it were......

Every donor in this season's drive will be entered into a draw for a $50 Pelican Parts gift certificate from me (personally - not from the Troop Calls fund). On December 15th, I'll randomly draw one name from the donor list and that person will receive the gift certificate. If you're one of the donors from a non-Porsche forum, we'll figure something out. There's no minimum donation amount - eveyone on the list is eligible.

So help me out folks. I'd really like to make these last few days the best so far.

Mike

[Shoepop]

Mike, donor's & Wayne you all deserve a bunch of atta boy's/girl's. As you can imagine the moral of our troops isn't exactly at an all time high, this will bring some smiles. Mark S

[mike55]

I received a note from the Red Cross, addressed to all donors in the Troop Calls effort. Aside from the direct, and most important, feedback from families and soldiers, it's always great to get recognition from others that are helping as well. Click here to review it.

We have 3 days left in this season's donation drive and donations continue to come in, pushing us past last year's total. Many thanks to all the Pelicans that have helped.

For others that are able, please help if you can. Stop by the website (in my siganture) as well.

Cutoff date for eligibility for the gift certificate is December 14th. I'll randomly draw one name from the current donor list on December 15th.


Thanks again and best of the season to all,

Mike

[Hebrewhomeboy]

As as soldier in the Army, I have to thank you for doing this. I tell you, you will never see a smile so big as a deployed soldier working 18+ hour days 7 days a week when he recieves a care package. It's practically a holiday for them. It truly does help, and we all appreciate it a ton.

[Jim727]

A fantastic project and a great way to do something good for the holidays!

Jim

[mike55]

This version of the Troop Calls drive is over. Collectively, we've raised $2473 (net), something we can all be proud of. Thanks to the Pelicans that have stepped up yet again to lend a helping hand. You're all special people.

Fellow P-car owner Don T is the winner of the $100 Pelican Parts gift certificate. Congrats Don!

The UltraPatriot.com website will remain active. Donations will be accepted throughout the year. At the beginning of the next winter holiday season, we'll revisit the drive. Hopefully the need will have diminished by then.

A special thanks goes out to Wayne D. for his support and help in making this drive a success. I hope we all keep PelicanParts in mind when the need arises.

Let's keep our service men and women in our thoughts this holiday season. Best of the season to all,

Mike

[mike55]

I'm happy to say that with the money raised, we've purchased 135, 80 minute pre-paid calling cards for the troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. We went with the lower cost card so that we could get them into more hands. That will mean more smiles this holiday season for the soldiers and their families.

Thanks to all donors and all others that sent words of encouragement. The UltraPatriot site will remain active and will continue to buy calling cards as donations come in. While the drive is over, and 135 men and women will be getting cards for Christmas, with luck we may be able to deliver even more over the holidays. It's never to late to give.

Thanks everyone,

Mike

[mike55]

I've had a few donations come in after the last purchase. For those that have anything left to give after a hectic holiday rush, please consider a donation. It would be great if we could deliver another pack of calling cards overseas for the holidays.

Best of the season to all,

Mike