Dwyer & Michaels :: 2Dorks.com

UPDATE! We got a letter from Cynthia on December 6th letting us know
that the soldiers have received the packages from us!

more photos to come

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Dear Dwyer & Michaels and Listeners,

Hi there! I'm PFC Cynthia Czolgosz, with the 333rd MP Co., of the ILARNG, stationed at Waza Khwa in Afghanistan. We received all of the packages from you guys, and I (and the rest of the soldiers here) just wanted to thank you so much for everything. Here are some pictures I hope you'll enjoy.

The first is myself (PFC Cynthia Czolgosz) with all the packages we got (over 130 in one mail drop!).

The second is (top row from left) SPC Allen Hauhia of Rockford, 1SG Terry Holbrook of Polo, SSG Christian Wirth of Moline; (middle row from left) SPC Donna Flores of Chicago, SGT Gail Nordvall of Freeport, SPC Kayla Alberstett of Davis; (bottom from left) PFC Cynthia Czolgosz of Woodhull and SPC Ashley Naylon of Polo. (We love our furry hats)

The third is the same, but we're in a signature pose (it's our "why not" pose, we get our pics taken like this as often as possible.)

The fourth is the soldiers here from the QC. (top row from left) PFC Cindy Goeden of East Moline, SSG Angie Jarrin of Moline, PFC Blake Kirschbaum of East Moline, SSG Christian Wirth of Moline, SGT Steve Shipman of Milan, PFC Roman Lloyd of Rock Island; (bottom from left) PFC Cynthia Czolgosz of Woodhull and SPC Randy Petit of Davenport. Not pictured is SGT Nathan Declerck, he was unavailable for the photo.

The fifth is the same people holding the flag we'll be flying here, and then sending to you as a thank you for your support and well-wishes.

The sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth are SSG Angie Jarrin and SGT Steve Shipman raising the flag.

The last five are several soldiers in the "free px" getting items that they need, donated by everyone back home.

Again, thank you so much, and please extend our gratitude to your listeners. It was unbelievable, the amount of support and concern that was shown for us. We're hoping to get your flag to you soon.
Sincerely,

PFC Cynthia A. Czolgosz

A special thanks to our wonderful group of volunteers from
Marine Moms of the QC and the Patriot Guard Riders who
were here both mornings packing boxes for the troops!
We sent a total of 210 boxes when we finished.

Thanks to Greg from Clinton Ultimate Photography who
came out and helped photograph some of the hard work.

Special thanks to those who made donations of warm winter clothing and of cash to cover the shipping of those items over to our troops. We didn't get all the names and many people wanted to remain anonymous but here are just some of the people we would like to give a huge thanks to:

Kevin and Margaret from Diamonds On The Avenue
Leah & Randy Garrison in honor of "Sgt Landis W. Garrison"
Mailboxes & Parcel Depot - Moline, IL
Jim
Max & Laurie Newton
Tony Manuel - YNOT INK - Davenport, IL
Tim Shelton - House Wall Garage System - Moline, IL
Helen Agnew
Ben Graw
Kathy Mantens
Mike Bealer
Dahl Ford
Shirley Plumb of the American Legion Unit 26 Auxilary
Freedom Fighters - Lost Nation, IA
Dr. Markovich - Moline, IL
Kress Carrier employees - Brimfield, IL
Ray Hamilton & Bill Albracht - VVA
Farm & Fleet - Moline, IL
Eric Long
Chad Sederstrom
Connie Collum
Stacia Logsden
Terry Bullard
Cindy Wickliffe
Judy & Dave Prochaska
Abate of IA District 15
Concrete Services Ltd. - East Moline, IL
Loyal Order of Moose
MBC Finacial Corp.
Cagit - Moline, IL
Casey Jones
Andrea Spurgeon
Deanna Olander
ORA Bone & Joint Centers employees - Moline, IL

If you aren't able to bring in a donation for Operation Underpants
but would still like to contribute, please donate through the
Northwest IL Red Cross website:

www.nwilredcross.org

Another way to make a difference is to donate or join one
of the programs offered by My Solider:

www.mysoldier.com

How this all started...
We received a letter from a listener who needs our help:

Dear Dorks,

Over the weekend I got a call from my daughter who is stationed in Afghanistan (she's an MP in the 333rd reserve unit and we're so proud of her). Winter has begun in Afghanistan. The weather isn't too bad right now, but eventually the average daily temps will be 15 below zero. It can get down to 40 below zero. She and her unit are in a very remote part of the district of Waza Khwa. The only way to get supplies and mail is via helicopter. The winter storms will begin within about a month. Once that happens, the copters are grounded for at least 3 months. No mail... no supply drops... no nothing for 3 months. Here's the problem. She left North Carolina a couple of weeks ago. The soldiers in her unit were told to pack only 1 fleece jacket, 1 pair long underwear, 1 pair gloves and one hat in the bags they were carrying with them. They were instructed to pack the rest of their cold weather gear in their trunks, which would be delivered to them later. Well, their trunks are on a ship in the middle of the ocean and probably won't reach land before the helicopters are grounded. They'll likely get their cold weather gear in time for summer. There are 400 soldiers with only the cold weather gear they were allowed to carry with them. Packages sent to them within the next couple of weeks (say by Thanksgiving to be safe) should reach them before the helicopters are grounded. I can't afford to send them all warm weather gear but maybe you and your listeners can help.

Cindy C.

Please drop of any of the following supplies at the station between
8am-5pm we will send everything over to the soldiers in this unit.

97X - 1229 Brady Street - Davenport, IA

We are shipping out on Tuesday the 25th so please hurry!

• Long underwear (black, tan, olive green - if possible)
• women's sizes small through 2XL
• men's sizes medium through 2XL tall
• Gloves (black - preferably flame retardant)
• Wool socks (black, tan, olive green - if possible)
• Hats (black or brown fleece)
• Hand/toe warmer packs
• Money for postage

DROP OFF POINTS

If you live in the Clinton area you can drop of supplies this weekend at Marty's Party Bus which will be parked at these locations:

Saturday from 9-11am
Camanche Elementary School at 508 11th Pl, Camanche, IA
(go south on 7th Ave off of 67 and take a left on 11th Pl)

Sunday from 1-2pm
Gateway State Bank at 2600 Lincoln Way, Clinton, IA
(across from Arby's)

FRIDAY FEST

We will be collecting items from 5-7pm at the Friday Fest:
Funky Moe’s Wing Bar & Grill (formerly Pluckers)
1720 E Kimberly Rd, Davenport, IA

SUNDAY AT HOOTERS

Beth will be collecting supplies from noon-2pm at Hooters.
Watch some football and bring her some underpants!

FREEPORT DROP OFF LOCATIONS

American Red Cross - Northwest Illinois Chapter
224 West Galena Avenue
Freeport, IL

Rite-Way Furniture
20 East Stevenson Street
Freeport, IL

A special thanks to our wonderful group of volunteers from
Marine Moms of the QC and the Patriot Guard Riders who
were here both mornings packing boxes for the troops!

Soldiers at the 333rd's send-off dinner
held at the Freeport, IL VFW on August 28, 2008

Dinner was sponsored by the VFW and the Northwest Illinois
Chapter of the American Red Cross, and paid for by a
generous volunteer/supporter of our Chapter.