[Update 9 (31 May 08)]: Folks, we’re SO close and we still have two weeks left until the deadline. I’m so excited about how far we’ve gotten. As of today, you have helped me collect…$3307!!! That means we need to collect just under $200 to meet my goal of $3500 and send two cadets to Drill Camp from Columbia High School’s brand new JROTC. I can’t thank you enough. You know who you are and I appreciate it. I don’t know how to express that, but just know that it means a lot.

[Update 8 (26 May 08)]: We’re up to $1307, though I know a few others have sent me a check. So, it’s a little higher but still well short of my goal ($2193 to go). On Thursday, I presented the first check for $1000 to CW5(ret) Hobbs and the JROTC so they can begin getting reservations and planning. At least we should be able to get one cadet into the camp so far.

I want to use this update to tell you about one of the prizes you could win just for donating. It’s a book called “Final Salute” by Jim Sheeler. I’m reading the book to provide a review for the publisher and for you all. But, I’m going to pre-empt my review a little and let you in on something. This book is a page turner. At the same time, you know the next page is going bring you to a place you’re glad you may never have to go. Jim Sheeler so far follows the career of Marine Major Steve Beck whose job it is to inform the parents and family that their Marine was killed in combat. Before even reading the first chapter, I turned to the middle of the book and perused the group of photos of some of these Marines. Just looking at the pictures and reading their captions brought me to tears (don’t worry, no one was around to see them!). This book had such an impact that for the first time, Emily asked me to read a book after I reviewed it!! She never reads the books I read, but after looking at the pictures, she was hooked as well.

The bottom line is that if you win a copy of this book, you will not be sorry. Though the stories are heart-wrenching they bring such a pride to your soul knowing that these families are able to find the meaning and joy that their hero’s sacrifice brought to millions of Americans and Iraqis. When I’m finished with the book, I’ll give a full review.

[Update 7 (22 May 08)]: I don’t have any monetary updates, but to give you a visual of the kids you’re helping, I wanted to show you a video of the Columbia Campus JROTC in action to help provide additional motivation in helping me achieve my goal. Enjoy!

[Update 6 (21 May 08)]: Today’s total (unless I have some checks at home waiting for me) is now $1207!! Only $2293 to go by 15 Jun to meet my goal. We’re already planning some other local fundraising ideas to make any difference once this is over. I won’t give up until these kids get to camp!! Additionally, I want to repeat what you are eligible to receive through your donations:

1. One of four custom cross-stitches. Cross-stitches will be customized with the name/rank/unit of choice by the raffle winner.
2. A copy of Luke Stricklin’s debut CD “American By God’s Amazing Grace“
3. “Charlie Wilson’s War” on DVD (starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts)
4. A signed copy of Michael Yon’s latest book “Moment of Truth in Iraq“
5. A signed copy of my cheesy, official Army First Sergeant Photo that all my offices are required to hang in their hallways (limited edition 1 of 1!)
6. A thank you (chances of winning are 1:1)
7. One of three copies of the new book “Finale Salute” by Jim Sheeler. This book is a thank-you letter to everyone who is sacrificing for this war, the troops and their families and loved ones, who give up so much while most of us sacrifice nothing. Would make a great Christmas/Birthday/Anniversary gift. (I’ll have a review up shortly when I’m finished with my copy!)
8. A copy of the new book “I Will Not Be Broken: Five Steps to Overcoming a Life Crisis,” (http://iwillnotbebroken.org) by Jerry White, the co-founder of Survivor Corps.

And the list keeps growing. When you send in a donation, please add the prize you’d like to be considered for if your name is picked. If you don’t choose, you will be entered equally for all prizes. Remember that the cross-stitches will be personalized for YOU!! Again, thanks for all your help and please keep spreading the word. Keep in mind too that all these books, CD, etc are all brand new – not hand-me-downs!

[Update 5 (19 May 08)]: I got a few checks in the mail today and a Paypal donation, so the balance has fallen to…..$2468!! Thank you for your help. We’ve now raised $1032!!

[Update 4 (18 May 08)]: No additional donations and only two weeks to go. Please tell everyone you can about this to spread the word. Make sure they know that they don’t need a Paypal account to send money. Paypal will take credit and debit cards and also does e-checks. Still $2828 short of my goal, but I’m happy with what we’ve collected so far. It’s more than they had before!!

[Update 3 (12 May 08)]: Please keep spreading the word. We’re almost a third of the way towards our goal!! Current donations: $672!! Only $2828 to go!! Thank YOU for helping me help the future of this country. Also – I keep forgetting to say this – if you win one of the cross-stitches, Miss Ladybug will cross stitch a name or message to personalize it for you!!

[Update 2 (10 May 08)]: We’re up to $242. We’re moving kind of slowly, but hopefully it will pick up soon. I wanted to make a few revisions to the contest. My schedule is getting awefully hectic in the next two weeks. As such, I want to make sure I do this right. The D&C camp is in July, so I’m going to extend the raffle until 15 June. Additionally, for every dollar donated, you will get a chance to win one of the many prizes we’re featuring. When you make your donation, please indicate which prize you’d like to be considered for. If none is indicated, your tickets will be split evenly among the various prize opportunities. I want to make sure that you are considered for something that you’ll actually want! If you’ve already donated, please let me know to which prize you’d like your tickets registered. Please help spread the word and help us make our $3,500 goal!! Also check out the cross-stitch that Miss Ladybug did in honor of her Grandfather.

[Update 1 (6 May 08)]: So far, I have collected $217 of my goal. Thank you so much for all your help thus far. Please help me spread the word about this to as many as possible. I’ve gotten more than one email about the name of the high school. I didn’t realize I omitted it. The JROTC program is located at Columbia High School in Huntsville, AL. It’s an Army JROTC program run by CW5(ret) Hobbs and 1SG(ret) Brown. It’s much right now, but THIS is the website. I’ve also added a signed copy of Michael Yon’s new book “The Moment of Truth In Iraq” to the raffle pool courtesy of ASP Reader Sylvia.

When I moved here, I realized that I was going to miss going to Walter Reed. The opportunities to do something special for troops beyond the few I’m directly responsible for. So, I thought that I would do something special for those that may one day become troops and volunteer with JROTC program at the local high school.

This is the first year that the program has existed and they need help. Through other donations and fundraising they’ve been able to take the kids to various competitions. In their first year they have won two first place trophies in physical fitness, but they really need help with drill and ceremony (marching and movement). Since this is the first year, there aren’t any experienced cadets that can train them. Unfortunately, most of the Soldiers (like me) who consider themselves subject matter experts on D&C aren’t able to be at the school during classes to teach them.

The JROTC instructor, retired Chief Warrant Officer Hobbs, would like to send two returning Juniors to a Drill and Ceremony Camp this summer. The problem? The camp will cost $3500 to send them both (not each). I’m thinking that we have enough support here through direct donations as well as enough people with blogs elsewhere that we can put a substantial dent in that need.

Here’s the deal: Miss Ladybug has graciously donated four cross-stitches to four of our military services – Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy (click links to see these fine specimen). Anyone that contributes any amount of money to this effort to send two students to Drill Camp will be entered to win one of the following prizes:

1. One of four custom cross-stitches
2. A copy of Luke Stricklin’s debut CD “American By God’s Amazing Grace”
3. “Charlie Wilson’s War” on DVD (starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts)
4. One of Emily’s faulty kidneys
5. A signed copy of my cheesy, official Army First Sergeant Photo that all my offices are required to hang in their hallways (limited edition 1 of 1!)
6. A thank you (chances of winning are 1:1)
7. A signed copy of “Moment of Truth In Iraq” by Michael Yon.

Cross-stitches are to be customized with the name/rank/unit of choice by the raffle winner.

You can make a donation with a credit card through the Paypal link on the sidebar or contact me if you’d prefer to send a check. At the end of each day, I will tally up how much has been collected so we can see how close we are to our goal. Please share this with as many people as possible.