Halloween In Baghdad (PICS p 9 TY's P 10

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » September 26, 2005 11:16 am

I am waiting on feedback from Crash Davis on the plan we have to adopt his group of soldiers in Baghdad for the holidays .... While we wait, I need some SERIOUS commitments....

Please post what you would be willing to contribute. The short term plan is to do something for Halloween.... along the line of goodies (candy etc). We believe that we will need 470 at least... so plan to make 500.

Since no one should assume all the responsibility or cost, we need a minimum of 25 BNers who can commit to making up 20 goodie bags and shipping them to Baghdad. 50 BNers would be MUCH better and cheaper for all involved!!!

Another alternative is if you have more time than $$$, you could get together with other BNers and chip in for the 20 bags.

If you have more $$$ than time, I am willing to make the bags. You could send me the $$ directly for however many bags you wish to have me make.

We are in the infancy of the actual decisions of what to put in them... they need to be uniform. However please take the opportunity to commit in this thread to this project. If we do not have enough interest by 10/01/2005.... we will scrap it.

Jodibug · Post by **Jodibug** » September 26, 2005 11:30 am

I will commit to 20 goody bags and enlist the help of my co-workers. Just let me know!!!!

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » September 26, 2005 11:31 am

I'll send money, just let me know how much and where to send it.

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » September 26, 2005 11:45 am

Thanks LIPH and Jodi.....details to follow

CALLING others BNers to committ......

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » September 26, 2005 1:24 pm

Crash has given us the go ahead.... but I need a little more than a few people to make this fly.....

Since we arent seeing a rash of posts....I am wondering if this is too close to Buffettfest.... to command our full support? Please voice your opinions.... as we only have 410 bags left to be accounted for.....

davesnik · Post by **davesnik** » September 26, 2005 1:27 pm

I think it depends on what are in the bags. If there's just candy I can commit to 50. however, if there's more than that, I can only do 20 due to my financial constraints. I'll ask around and see if maybe some of my pals can chip in and I'll get back with you. Count me in!

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » September 26, 2005 1:34 pm

davesnik wrote:I think it depends on what are in the bags. If there's just candy I can commit to 50. however, if there's more than that, I can only do 20 due to my financial constraints. I'll ask around and see if maybe some of my pals can chip in and I'll get back with you. Count me in!

I think for Halloween would be a great candy holiday.... and really pretty cheap. I figured that if we got 25 BNers.... we should be able to do this for $20-30 for 20 bags..... plus shipping. I think my 11lb box sent for Buffettfest was $10 to ship priority.

The idea was to send individual goodie bags.... but maybe bags of candy might be just as well recieved.

Keep talking phrends.....

Crzy · Post by **Crzy** » September 26, 2005 1:38 pm

I would be happy to help but finacial constraints may limit me. Just keep me informed and I will do what I can. (Time I can give easier than money)

sy · Post by sy » September 26, 2005 2:44 pm

Coincidentally, I am already doing a bunch of bags for my bowling league, and would have no problem doing a bunch more. Here are some thoughts, if no one minds (we've already had a sort of meeting on our bags for the league).

Oriental Trading has lots of bags and goodies, and free shipping over 60.00. I do have a good bit of time and some people who would be glad to help me do this (just made some phone calls). We're pretty fast on making bags for things like this, and if anyone would like to trust me, I'd be glad to order and compile a couple hundred bags if anyone would like to chip in to cover supplies (or if you live close enough, come on over and help). I can provide receipts and such so that you know exactly what your money was spent on.

Just a thought

jackiesic · Post by **jackiesic** » September 26, 2005 2:50 pm

I'll do 20. Just need to know what's expected (how much stuff per bag) and what NOT to send (I'm assuming chocolate is out due to the heat) and where to mail.

Thanks,

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » September 26, 2005 3:43 pm

sy wrote:
Just a thought

Thansks Sy.... I appreciate your offer...

We are going to need more participation than this.... to make this fly.... Lets give it a few days to see if there is more response.

PHAW Webmistress · Post by **PHAW Webmistress** » September 26, 2005 3:55 pm

I'm committed

What do you guys think of the "Pumpkin Poop" bags? Candy corn and snack backs are cheap - and real easy to assemble and ship.

***looking on my 'puter now for the artwork I used last year**

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » September 26, 2005 4:00 pm

PHAW Webmistress wrote:I'm committed

What do you guys think of the "Pumpkin Poop" bags? Candy corn and snack backs are cheap - and real easy to assemble and ship.

***looking on my 'puter now for the artwork I used last year**

I think I hate the sound of that... LOL Can we call them sumthin else? (But the concept is good!)

PHAW Webmistress · Post by **PHAW Webmistress** » September 26, 2005 4:06 pm

ToplessRideFL wrote:
PHAW Webmistress wrote:I'm committed

What do you guys think of the "Pumpkin Poop" bags? Candy corn and snack backs are cheap - and real easy to assemble and ship.

***looking on my 'puter now for the artwork I used last year**
I think I hate the sound of that... LOL Can we call them sumthin else? (But the concept is good!)

Here's the poem:

Pumpkin Poop
I started to carve a pumpkin
with my carving knife and scoop
But the pumpkin got so scared
He took a little poop!
It looked so cute and funny
Just like a candy treat
So I'm sharing it with you now
Because you are so sweet!

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » September 26, 2005 4:12 pm

PHAW Webmistress wrote:

Here's the poem:

Ok... my initial reaction was a little strong...

Cute poem!

Quiet and Shy · Post by **Quiet and Shy** » September 26, 2005 4:40 pm

Well, it took me a while to find you over here...I wouldn't be surprised if others who might have some interest are a bit "lost," as well. I'm going to PM phjim and see if we can't get all of this Baghdad Troops stuff into one area (e.g. rename "Buffettfest" to "Support the Troops in Baghdad" or somesuch to include Buffettfest and all subsequetly related activities through BN).

On the goodie bags, I could probably do 20 for halloween, but I'd love some ideas about what should/should not be included...e.g. I assume chocolate is a bad idea because it will melt

, but what other things are folks thinking about including? On the other hand, I wouldn't mind waiting until Thanksgiving to do something for this, either.

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » September 26, 2005 4:45 pm

Quiet and Shy wrote: On the other hand, I wouldn't mind waiting until Thanksgiving to do something for this, either.

Phaw had a good idea about ... Pumpkin Poop... which is pretty cheap and eliminates the need to do "goodie bags".... just ziplocs would work with clever gift tags with the poem. I am wondering about the close proximity to Buffettfest as well.... I figure we'll keep chatting about it for a few days and decide.

nutmeg · Post by **nutmeg** » September 26, 2005 5:14 pm

I'm a little over committed in the time department right now, but can provide some $$.

Sam · Post by **Sam** » September 26, 2005 5:49 pm

I have time that I can donate....$$$ dept is currently slow. I will try to find out about the heat and the various candies....all of us know the chocolates, gummies, wax candies melt.

Are the individual home bagged/ homemade goodies cleared through again?

Otherwise pre packaged sealed candies...the little bags that come in the big bags, or beef jerky or slim jims type things ... mainly any kind of munchies/snacks. Those cans of pringles or soups. BREAKFAST /FRUIT BARS, maybe some chapstick/lip balm... the baby wipes or those type things.... zip lock baggies (the heavy duty kind) to place personal items in...any type of little puzzles/games or maybe miniture footballs, or those "rubber "super balls" or trinkets, that you can get out of the "gumball" machines, or even inflatable beach balls...little stuffed critters or kewpie dolls type things...leis and beads go without saying....maybe some masks? Even just the paper ones or cheap plastic ones...Most anything to help relieve boredom or maybe to give to a kid.

Items like you would stuff a pinata with, you can buy bags of those little toys for a $1.00 or $2.00...like "magic eight balls" for example.

Most items can be purchased at the "Dollar"stores relatively inexpensively.

Some of the larger stores will donate items or perhaps provide a discount. IF one ask them and has some letterhead and point of contact on it stating what the donations are for. ( That might be tougher now with all the help going to the hurricane survivors/area/evaccuees... but never hurts to ask.... the worst they can tell you is "No."

And most of all a personal post card or a personal letter and maybe a picture of you or your house or something your area is known for...

Seriously has anyone thought of contacting a Margaritaville Cafe and asking for a donation(s)???

I will post other ideas if I come up with any.

davesnik · Post by **davesnik** » September 26, 2005 7:10 pm

Put me down for 20 bags please. I want to make sure they are good bags and with the $$$ restraints, I can only do 20. But any other way I can help, please let me know. There are some great ideas flowing!