Growing Deep Roots: Operation Zipper Pouch

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Operation Zipper Pouch

I want to introduce you to my friend that I met in college, Kathy Wright. The Wrights are a military family and they know first hand how hard it is for a husband and father to be deployed, and spend long periods of time away from his family. Tom, Kathy's husband, has served in two deployments. Kathy has come up with a great way to bless our military men and women. Last year she started Operation Zipper Pouch. I will let her tell you what Operation Zipper Pouch is all about, Kathy explains it below.

It's time for our 2nd Annual Operation Zipper Pouch!!

In case you have no idea what I am talking about, here is a brief history:
My husband, Tom, is a member of the Tennessee National Guard, 1175th Transportation Company. He has served two 12-month deployments, the most recent of which was to Q-West, Iraq, from March 2009-March 2010. We had three young children, and it was definitely a trying time for our family. During those long months, it meant so much to me when friends & family would reach out... to Tom & send him a card, a care package, or even an email to let him know he was not forgotten.
After Tom returned home, I began my business with Thirty-One. I knew I wanted to use it in some way to benefit the men & women of our military, and Operation Zipper Pouch was born. Last year, just after Christmas, I received donations from friends like you. You purchased zipper pouches from Thirty-One embroidered with "Thank You!". I donated all of my commission from the sale of the pouches & used it to fill them with goodies for soldiers. We collected enough in our first drive to send 28 "care package" pouches to members of the 230th Engineer Battalion stationed in Kuwait. Their FRG (Family Readiness Group) oversaw the distribution and gave them first to those men & women who had little or no family support.
This year, I have set a goal of 50 pouches. ( I would love to blow that away, FYI!) We will be using thermal-lined pouches in a camo print, which are actually less expensive because they will not be monogrammed. Each pouch is only $15. Including shipping & tax, it would come to $17.70 per pouch. Would you consider donating 1 or more pouches to show appreciation to a serviceman or woman

overseas? There are two easy ways to participate:

1. Go to my website. Click on "My Parties,", then "Operation Zipper Pouch military drive". Using your credit card, you may purchase the desired number of pouches - simply choose item number 4060 in camo. Be sure to click "Ship items to host" so it will come to me.

2. Email or call me to let me know you would like to participate, then get a check to me - $17.70 per pouch.

Each "care package" pouch will be filled with goodies and a note thanking them for their service. I plan to make this an annual event to help us all to remember their sacrifice. With your help, we can encourage many of our soldiers!! This drive will run from January 4 - 18, 2013. (Donations are not tax-deductible since goods are received -they are just being given to someone else). Please contact me with any questions you may have.
Thank you & God bless!
Kathy Wright - Thirty-One gifts

Skype number 901-355-9637

www.thirtyonegifts.com/kjwright

P.S. I am currently choosing a unit to be the recipient this year. If you have a personal connection to someone currently serving overseas, I would love to know about it!