Why we are doing this...
There is a simple answer for this. Everyday our troops are in harms way and everyday we lose some of our troops, others get wounded, a lot more will suffer for the rest of their lives and all they ask for is almost nothing except for a card, letter, or a small token of appreciation, like the little things we take for granted, throw away, give away or even buy at the store. Even a post card will get a big thank you. So we ask any American, with patriotic blood in them, to help in any way that they can. Here is a list of things that can be done: phone cards, microwavable foods, reading & writing materials, DVD's, baby powder, feminine products, batteries, shaving cream/gel, lights, sunglasses, hot chocolate, warm clothes, bug repellant, laundry soap, flashlights, Tupperware (or something similar), towels and wash cloths, Q-tips, instant oatmeal, cookies, candy, black heavy socks, toothbrushes & toothpaste, soap (liquid or bar), sunscreen, deodorant, combs, snacks, body lotion, tuna fish, music CD's, envelopes, shampoo, tea, Crystal Light, trail mix, coffee, small camping coffee pots (must not be aluminum), and last but not least, Letters, postcards, emails, etc. are always welcomed.
CURRENT PACKAGE COUNT: 722
Things may change, we are new at this and we may have different ideas at a later date so check back frequently for updates. If you have any ideas or suggestions we would love to hear them, please email us at bobshobbyshop@sbcglobal.net
We would like to thank the following places for donations to help aid the soldiers in need:
Dollar Tree - 1386 Mall Drive, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022
Hartford Outlet - 10 W. Main Street, Hartford, Michigan 49057
Huffman's TV & Appliances - Huffman's Home Furnishings - Hartford, Michigan 49057
Tri-City Record - P.O. Box 7, Watervliet, Michigan 49098
Pop Weaver - Microwave Popcorn - Donated 3 Cases Of Popcorn
We are a small operation. We send out about 5 boxes a week. Should you decide to send something to us, please don't send too much, as we have a small storage area. Please do NOT send money! At the military's request we are not going to list the names of companies who do not want to help or participate.
Click here for links to supporting websites
UPDATE: September 29th, 2005: Lately we've been getting requests for anything pertaining to Christmas so the soldiers can decorate their living quarters. On Sunday, Sept. 25th, I took a long ride and found mini Christmas trees in Grand Rapids, mini ornaments in Muskegon, and small strings of lights in Grand Haven. So now I have a small stock of Christmas stuff that I can fill some of the soldiers needs.
October 1, 2005: I left the store for a short time, a lady brought in 3 bags of supplies for the soldiers. She didn't leave her name. She just wanted the soldiers to have these things.
October 9, 2005: I went to Illinois and handed out flyers at the Gun Show. I went to a family party, Tim Raucci from CJ Tool gave me money to buy 3 boxes of supplies for the soldiers.
October 12, 2005: Brent James, Prudential California Realty, Long Beach/ Orange County Office, 11409 East Carson, Lakewood 90715. Mr. James contacted us about our program for the soldiers and wanted to have help getting started, which we did.
October 12, 2005: Jeff Genda Ssgt got a hold of us from Iraq, he wanted to get on the list. He works in a field hospital. We sent him a care package.
October 28, 2005: We sent out our 200th box. Here is a picture of Tina and Leslie holding it.
We sent out 26 boxes filled with Christmas items such as mini Christmas tree's, ornaments, strings of lights, and other misc. holiday items including some snacks and dvd's. Here is a picture of the boxes along with Michelle and Lisa.
November 12th we were contacted by Bill Harju. Him and some of his friends around the Lansing, Michigan area collected stuff for the soldiers.
November 20th I drove to Lansing to collect the items. They had donated movies, music, cards, pens, and misc. Christmas decorations. Here is a list of people that donated: Bill & Darleen Harju 5350 Ellas Circle Lansing, MI 48911; Steve's Barber Shop 3312 South Cedar Lansing, MI 48911; Cindy's Auction 6780 Brooklyn Road(M-50) Napoleon, MI 49261; Cards In The Corner 4100 South Cedar Lansing, MI 48911; Jan & Greg Kadlub 1685 Williamston Road Dansville, MI 48819-9605
January 3rd, 2006 - We would like to thank Michael Eliasohn and Neal Vaughan from The Herald Palladium for the nice article they did on us helping the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm sure the more people that read this the more help they will get.
January 5th, 2006: We would like to thank Mr. & Mrs. Doyle of Galien, MI who donated paper, pens, and money for our troops. We would also like to give thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Grant 8705 Carmody Rd., Watervliet, MI. 49098 for buying three boxes of supplies for our soldiers.
Jan 9th, I went to Muskegon to a wholesale house and bought small games for the soldiers. On the way back I stopped at Sams Club and a couple of Dollar Stores.
February 12th, 2006: Went to a toy train show in Wheaton, IL and posted soldier flyers in 4 buildings. From there I went to St. Charles, IL and stopped at a gun show and handed out more soldier flyers. There I met a very interesting gentleman and his wife. His name is Michael H. Kuryla Jr. He is one of the survivors from the U.S.S. Indianapolis and I I got home and was wondering if anyone locally was on that ship. I went through the 1945 records at the public library and found Everett McComb who went down with the Indianapolis. The story about the U.S.S. Indianapolis is on the web at various sites. There is also a story about the Japanese Captain, Mochitsura Hashimoto, who sunk the ship.
March 18th, 2006: We had a big surprise today. Joe Bolis stopped in the store today to donate 10 bags of food and snacks that the Cub Scout Troop 610 has been collecting for the soldiers. A big thanks goes out to Joe Bolis and Cub Scout Troop 610 of Coloma, Michigan. 154 Morrison Street, Coloma, MI 49038
March 31, 2006 : Another milestone ....This is my Uncle Bob holding box 300 which was shipped to : SPC Christopher L. Burton. This is my Uncle Bob in 1944 in the Philippines. Where he personally captured 9 Waves and 6 Waks, General McArthur personally honored him by taking away the good conduct medal.
May 16th, 2006 : Got a Call from Thomas R. Nelson, 337 E. 3rd St., Hinsdale, IL 60521, one of our mail order customers, who asked to talk to me and thanked us for helping our soldiers over-seas. Turns out he has several members of his family over there. During our conversation, he mentioned his uncle was on the Battleship USS Idaho from 1928 - 1932 and as the Fates would have it, my father was on the same ship at the same time. If they knew each other, we'll never know. Any ways, we are sending each other pictures of the Idaho and of my dad and his uncle. When the gentleman gave us his payment information, he said to take $100 for our soldiers and we sent out 4 packages with his name on them.
May 30th, 2006 : Got to work at Noon and Mrs. Hadley was waiting for me with two bags of goodies for the soldiers. Did not get her address but would like to thank Mr. & Mrs. Hadley of Hartford, MI.August 26th, 2006: A lady named Terry Bryan (3289 Park Road, Coloma Michigan 49038) brought in 4 shopping bags of things she hand made for soldiers over seas. Had to take her weeks and weeks to make this stuff, and we sure want to thank her!
November 29. 2006: 30 boxes packed up and ready to send the soldiers for Christmas 2006 filled with lots of goodies nuts, christmas cards ,ornaments,candy..heres a picture with Michelle and Leslie:
December 8th, 2006: We would like to thank the people at Edgewater Bank in Coloma, MI for donating a case of pens and a case of mugs to be sent to the soldiers. Also we had a gentleman by the name of John Delapa stop in the store today and he donated $300 dollars for the soldiers care packages.
December 9th, 2006: A lady by the name Gloria Peters stopped in to donate a large can of cashews to be sent over seas for the soldiers.
December 15th, 2006: Cindy Halley from Coloma brought in a donation for the soldiers food toiletries etc.
December 16th, 2006: Mike Kapior from Chicago Ill. donated supplies for the soldiers Food etc., once again this July 2007 he donated 4 more bags of food.
December 20th, 2006: Alan Stockdale from Coloma Michigan made a donation of 7.00 to go to help send packages to the soldiers, note this was a young boy wanting to help.
January 26th, 2007: Our 500th box went out today. This is Robert Raucci our packer, who packed the 500th box for the soldiers.
February 20th, 2007: Mike Kapior from Chicago Ill. donated supplies for the soldiers 3 giant boxes Food etc.
February 21st, 2007: Nancy Huffman brought in handmade scarves for the soldiers. Thanks you Nancy for all you have done.
My apologies to the soldiers we support and our customers. The packages were not picked up by the Post office for 3 days.
What's aggravating is we spent 1500.00 for postage last month alone.
We have decided to make a very limited run of these O Gauge box cars. 100% of the proceeds we get from them will go to the soldiers. Minus the Ebay costs. Each one of them will be dated and have an individual number. The first one is on eBay . Check back here for the link to it. The auction will also include ten picture jokes that we include with the soldiers packages and also 4 of our 9/11 Pins.
June 6, 2007: Thank you to Robert Ford 1800 SE 17 St #500, Ocala Fl. 34471 one of our customers who donated 100.00 which pays for 3 care packages for the soldiers.
August 10, 2007 We have started shipping 2 boxes a week to the soldiers.
August 14, 2007 Thomas Conte donated 10.00 for supplies for the soldiers.
September 20, 2007 Kevin Torres donated an HO slot car for auction on ebay as donation. Thanks Kevin!
October 19, 20, 21, 2007 York Pennsylvania Train Show. I make this trip twice a year. I handed out over 100 posters for the soldiers, I even gave one to the girl at the toll booth. To my surprise when I got to the show at the fairgrounds there were still posters up from last April.October 28th, 2007 Attended the Kalamazoo Historical Society Train Show at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds and put up 10 posters. About 20 minutes later they had been taken down! One of the ladies working the food concessions, told me a County Representative had taken them down. I tried to find him to see what rules I broke in putting them up, but he had left. I have written to the Mayor of Kalamazoo, as well as 2 Kalamazoo County Commissioners and am waiting for a response.
November 28, 2007 Craig Berends donated 7.00 to support the soldiers. Thank you Craig.
DDecember 7, 2007 Sent out 30 boxes overseas for the soldiers.
March 24, 2008 We asked the Blue Chip Casino, located in Michigan City Indiana if they would donate some cards for the soldiers. They Generously came through with 140 Decks that had been played in the Casino!!! In Fact, the box was so heavy, I could not carry it, so one of their Security Guards carried it to my car!!! Thank You Blue Chip!!! Here is their website address and I ask that you visit them and say thanks! http://www.bluechipcasino.com/