The holiday season has begun, and it’s hitting me like a freight train! In my last couple of blogs I have written about the stressors that the holidays present, ranging from mommy duties that are never-ending, baking and over-eating. These all seem like legitimate stressors but I have to ask myself, how hard do I actually have it?
I mean, I’m constantly surrounded by my family, friends, and good
food.
I recently had the opportunity to meet with a fellow student whose husband is stationed in Afghanistan. This will be the second Christmas that he won’t be with his family because he serving his country to ensure both you and I are safe this holiday season. I can’t even begin to imagine myself or my husband being so far from our family during this special time of the year.
The idea of being so far from home had me thinking about what I could do to help ease the heartache of troops who longed to be with their family this holiday season. I decided that nothing says Christmas like Christmas Cookies and Holiday Cards! So, I have coined this project “Cookies and Cards for Troops!” This
year it is my goal to send cookies and cards to at least 12 soldiers. I have researched many ways to send
care packages to soldiers and came across a great website Any Soldier Inc. ... Where to Send . This website
provided helpful information in order for me to start the initial stages of this project. In order for my project
to be carried out in an orderly manner I have developed an action plan that will help to assist me and possibly you throughout this undertaking.
I mean, I’m constantly surrounded by my family, friends, and good
food.
I recently had the opportunity to meet with a fellow student whose husband is stationed in Afghanistan. This will be the second Christmas that he won’t be with his family because he serving his country to ensure both you and I are safe this holiday season. I can’t even begin to imagine myself or my husband being so far from our family during this special time of the year.
The idea of being so far from home had me thinking about what I could do to help ease the heartache of troops who longed to be with their family this holiday season. I decided that nothing says Christmas like Christmas Cookies and Holiday Cards! So, I have coined this project “Cookies and Cards for Troops!” This
year it is my goal to send cookies and cards to at least 12 soldiers. I have researched many ways to send
care packages to soldiers and came across a great website Any Soldier Inc. ... Where to Send . This website
provided helpful information in order for me to start the initial stages of this project. In order for my project
to be carried out in an orderly manner I have developed an action plan that will help to assist me and possibly you throughout this undertaking.
“Cookies and Cards for Troops” Action Plan
1. Familiarize myself with the website www.anysoldier.com.
This website is vital to the completion of my project.
2. Present my project along with letter of intent addressed to the Principal and
5th grade Teacher of St. Elizabeth’s School in Alice, TX. My children attend the 5th
grade at this school and I feel that it’s important they are included in this project. The
class involvement would consist of making the holiday cards and addressing it to
a solider from the www.anysoldier.comdatabase. The reason behind my goal of 12
soldiers correlates with the class size.
3. If approved I would send a flyer and along with a school permission slip home with
the students so that parents are aware of our endeavor.
4. Once the permission slips are signed and all students are onboard, I will meet with the
class for 45 minutes in order to discuss what“Cookies and Cards for Troops” is about.
It’s important for the students to understand why they are doing something and not just give
them the task and ask them to complete it. I will navigate them through the website
www.anysoldier.com so that they understand just home important their holiday cards are
and we will register to receive addressees. We will also discuss what to include in the card and
how they can personalize it, so that it looks extremely nice and festive! Kids are extremely creative
so it’s important for the class to lead the discussion; I’m sure they’ll have ideas that surpass mine!
5. Let the baking begin! This is where the real fun begins! I have chosen pan de polvo
to be the cookie of choice this year. Pan de polvo is a cultural favorite in South Texas.
This type of cookie holds up pretty well when packaged and is inexpensive to make. My
husband and I made some during Thanksgiving and it was a hit. We used the recipe
found at Pan de Polvo (Mexican Shortbread) Recipe and they were delicious. It is my intention to
make enough pan de polvo to fill 12 8oz Christmas containers that I purchased at a local dollar store.
Unlike my boys’ classmates their help is still needed for this part of the project, but I have told
them they have permission to invite some of their classmates over if they still wanted to assist.
6. Once the cookies are baked and the containers are filled we will carefully package
and address our treats and cards. The post office, well at least the post office in Alice, TX is
very good at assisting customers in order to find the most cost effective method of shipment.
I know that shipping can become pricey especially if you’re sending 12 different packages but I have
opted not to solicit money from other parents in order to complete this project. I will pay the shipping
cost and feel that’s the least I can do for somebody who is putting their life on the line for my family.
7. “Cookies and Cards for Troops” is accomplished!
Holidays come and go but memories are what remain with you forever. I have set my goal and it is my intention to complete it with the help of others. I know that most things are easier said than done, but I have every intention on carrying out this action plan and I hope that I have helped you reflect on something that you can do for your community this holiday season!
1. Familiarize myself with the website www.anysoldier.com.
This website is vital to the completion of my project.
2. Present my project along with letter of intent addressed to the Principal and
5th grade Teacher of St. Elizabeth’s School in Alice, TX. My children attend the 5th
grade at this school and I feel that it’s important they are included in this project. The
class involvement would consist of making the holiday cards and addressing it to
a solider from the www.anysoldier.comdatabase. The reason behind my goal of 12
soldiers correlates with the class size.
3. If approved I would send a flyer and along with a school permission slip home with
the students so that parents are aware of our endeavor.
4. Once the permission slips are signed and all students are onboard, I will meet with the
class for 45 minutes in order to discuss what“Cookies and Cards for Troops” is about.
It’s important for the students to understand why they are doing something and not just give
them the task and ask them to complete it. I will navigate them through the website
www.anysoldier.com so that they understand just home important their holiday cards are
and we will register to receive addressees. We will also discuss what to include in the card and
how they can personalize it, so that it looks extremely nice and festive! Kids are extremely creative
so it’s important for the class to lead the discussion; I’m sure they’ll have ideas that surpass mine!
5. Let the baking begin! This is where the real fun begins! I have chosen pan de polvo
to be the cookie of choice this year. Pan de polvo is a cultural favorite in South Texas.
This type of cookie holds up pretty well when packaged and is inexpensive to make. My
husband and I made some during Thanksgiving and it was a hit. We used the recipe
found at Pan de Polvo (Mexican Shortbread) Recipe and they were delicious. It is my intention to
make enough pan de polvo to fill 12 8oz Christmas containers that I purchased at a local dollar store.
Unlike my boys’ classmates their help is still needed for this part of the project, but I have told
them they have permission to invite some of their classmates over if they still wanted to assist.
6. Once the cookies are baked and the containers are filled we will carefully package
and address our treats and cards. The post office, well at least the post office in Alice, TX is
very good at assisting customers in order to find the most cost effective method of shipment.
I know that shipping can become pricey especially if you’re sending 12 different packages but I have
opted not to solicit money from other parents in order to complete this project. I will pay the shipping
cost and feel that’s the least I can do for somebody who is putting their life on the line for my family.
7. “Cookies and Cards for Troops” is accomplished!
Holidays come and go but memories are what remain with you forever. I have set my goal and it is my intention to complete it with the help of others. I know that most things are easier said than done, but I have every intention on carrying out this action plan and I hope that I have helped you reflect on something that you can do for your community this holiday season!