Packing party scheduled for oversees heroes | Community Spirit

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Every month “Molly’s moms” adopt a military unit that has requested a morale boost.  This month’s adoption has special meaning for local Navy mom Ruth Clayton-Davis. Unbeknownst to her, her sailor son requested the adoption through Molly’s Adopt a Sailor website.  He saw the need for a morale booster when he arrived in Afghanistan in May. Camp Brown is the home of 141 soldiers, sailors, and airmen including fourteen women that have been adopted for July.

Last year with the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attack approaching, local Navy moms stepped up to let the military know they were not forgotten. The community got involved at the Davenport American Legion and helped pack 60 boxes for the USS Bush.  It was such a huge success that the Navy moms and families have organized another packing party at the Davenport American Legion, 702 W. 35th Street, 1pm-4pm on July 22.  All members of the QC community are invited to bring a letter or something to send in the boxes. Items may also be dropped off at the Davenport Legion from 9am to noon, Monday through Friday by July 20 or the Milan American Legion.

With temperatures of up to 135 during the day, these military need some much needed love from home.  “We hope to pack at least 60 boxes again, but we depend on the community to donate items needed by the troops.  Molly’s Adopt a Sailor will pay the postage of $13.45 for each of the boxes,” said Mrs. Clayton-Davis.  Paul Mitchell Academy and the Kimberly and Eastern Walgreen’s in Davenport have both held fund raisers, are collecting items, and plan on helping with packing at the Legion.  Sam’s Club donated $25 to purchase some of the needed items.  

The most requested items now are MIO, a drink additive; Old El Paso taco fillings; and small containers of applesauce and fruit.  Also on the list are unscented wipes, freezer pops, Mach 3 razors, beef jerky, current magazines, and fun items like water guns.

Our adoptees also appreciate cards and letters and pictures from “home.”  Gigi’s Playhouse will be making a banner to send and other preschools and organizations are encouraged to make banners and cards that can be included in the boxes.

 “We ship love! Sending a little bit of home in every package.” is the motto of Molly's Adopt A Sailor, a non-profit (501c3) organization, that sends letters, cards, and care packages, adopting our service members of all branches.  The Legion and Auxiliary support the well-being of the military, veterans, and their families in many ways, and helping and supporting this project is just one of them. 

Since July 2008 Molly’s Adopt a Sailor has sent cards and letters and packages to a different deployed unit every month reaching over 18,000 sailors, Marines, soldiers and airman so far.  From ships at sea to boots on the ground we thank our military members for allowing us be part of their lives.

Ruth Clayton-Davis, Rock Island, organized Navy Families of the Quad-Cities in 2006.  She is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #26.  For more information call (309) 794-0449 or email MLDRCD@MCHSI.COM.

Donations of items and money can be made to the American Legion, 702 W. 35th St., Davenport, M-F, 9-noon

Needed items:

Volunteers to tape, pack, fill out forms

Packing tape

MIO

Crystal Lite

Gummy bears

Peanut M&M’s

Mach 3 razors

Pillowcases decorated to tell them we care

Twin sheets, dark colors appreciated

Coffee

Beef jerky

Fun stuff like water pistols, mist fans, water balloons

Small fans

Freezer pops

Old El Paso taco fillings, taco shells and chips

Fig bars

Under Armor compression shorts

Girly things—pens with colored ink, body wash, deodorant, razors, tampons

Sunscreen

Canned pears, peaches, fruit cocktail microwave popcorn

Current magazines, DVD’S  (NO BOOKS)

Cards and letters (very important!)

(We have enough packing tape and pillow cases at this point.  If you have an activity you are attending, have people sign a banner or cards that we can include in the boxes.)

(Submitted Press Release)