August 1, 2010
Ideas
This Week's Idea
DOGGY PINATAS
Bring or send empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls to an animal shelter. Staff members put an edible treat inside, fold over the ends, and make a "pinata." The animals love it! They exercise by running around and pushing the toy, and receive the treat when they eventually break into the pinata. This also keeps the rolls out of the trash.
Bring the rolls to your local animal shelter, or mail to the Lange Foundation, 2106 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025 (If you mail them, stuff a little newspaper or other paper inside so the rolls keep their shape.)
ARE YOU HOT?
Temp in Iraq: 117; Afghanistan: 109, Qatar: 107
Send support to the troops. They would be grateful for any of the following gifts:
- Lotion, chapstick, baby wipes, soap, shampoo and other hygiene items. Small travel size is fine.
- Also: Caffeinated coffee, nuts, crystal geyser packets, candy (no chocolate, please) and other snacks.
- Most important: a note or card. Children's drawings are always appreciated.
Please include your email address. It's easier for service members to reply by email than snail mail. Thanks!
MAIL YOUR PACKAGE TO:
Todd Schmidt
69th BDE
APO AE 09309
(Please do not send your gifts to Do One Nice Thing to mail.)
MAILING TIPS:
- It costs the same as mailing inside the U.S.
- A customs form (Form 2976-A) needs to be completed at the post office. It takes just a few minutes.
- Mark the space on the form for GIFT, and in the space, "If non-deliverable," mark TREAT AS ABANDONED. That way, if the soldier moves, the box will remain at the base and other soldiers will receive it.
- "America Salutes You" APO/FPO priority mail, flat-rate boxes are an economical way to mail packages to the military. They can be ordered online and are available at many post offices.
Questions? We're happy to help. Please email contact@doonenicething.com.
HUNGRY? YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE
Create a slice of "bread art" at the Bread Art Project. Click on "Workshops" to get started. For every slice, $1 will be donated to fight childhood hunger.
ROCK-A-BYE BABY
Collect coupons for diapers, formula, juice and other baby items for needy military families. Mail coupons to Soldiers' Angels Warehouse, 4408 PanAm Expressway, San Antonio, TX 78218
GOOD HAIR DAY
A nonprofit group called Matter of Trust is doing some amazing things to help with the Gulf Coast oil clean-up.
Volunteers are collecting human and animal hair and making it into handmade "booms." These are sausage-like barriers that are remarkably effective oil-absorbers.
So far, beauty salons, barber shops and animal groomers have donated tons of hair. Also needed are items that many of us have at home, such as used pantyhose ("sausage casing" for the booms), and zip ties.
Can you volunteer to make booms in Florida? Or if you'd like your fingers to "do the walking," you can make a donation online. Find out all the ways there are to help by visiting Matter of Trust online.
VACATION NICE THING
Waiting for a flight, or relaxing on a trip? Send a postcard to a wounded service member in the hospital. Children can write messages of thanks or even just draw a heart and picture on picture postcards, too.
Hundreds of ill or wounded service members arrive from Iraq and Afghanistan each month at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. When they arrive they are handed a “welcome backpack” with hygiene products, an international calling card, a sweatshirt and a blanket. With your help, they can also receive a card with a sweet message from your nice family.
Put your card or cards in an envelope and mail to:
MTD
Attn: Soldiers' Angels
CMR 402
APO AE 09180
(It costs the same as mailing inside or to the U.S.)
