STILL SERVING AMERICA

Christmas Chocolate Request from Afghanistan

From: Kimberlee.Keller@bgab.afcent.af.mil
Sent: Sunday, October 18, 2009 3:08 AM
To: INFO
Subject: Hello from Afghanistan

I'm currently deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan til Feb 2010. I'm Kimberlee Keller, and it is my hope that you can assist me in my endeavor. I've arrived here Aug 09 and I'm currently President of a Private Organization called the Top 3 (it's the enlisted organization for E7 - E9 ranks) that assists in mentoring our junior folks and providing morale boosts throughout the year.

About a week ago, I had a chocolate craving with no chocolate to be had. Unfortunately, our Base Exchange (BX) did not have any. It started me thinking, I can't be the only one that misses chocolate. So with holidays approaching, our Top 3 organization would like to give as many troops here (approx 21,000+ assigned at Bagram) a small Christmas gift bag filled w/chocolate candy bars, assorted "kisses", M & Ms etc. The Top 3 raises minimal funds during the year by selling t-shirts/coins through new membership; we are able to purchase gift bags for the candy, but we do not have the funds to purchase candy.

It is my hope through your many American Legion Posts that you could donate cases of assorted Christmas chocolate candy bar packs, etc, to help us spread a little cheer. The Top 3 would compile the gift bags/hand them out...and get them distributed through the FOBs in Afghanistan. If you are able to assist, we would need the chocolate by 10 Dec to allow us time to prepare the gift bags. Being away from home is very difficult...even more so for the holidays. This small token would mean so much to everyone. The Christmas chocolate bags would be given out during the holidays.

I'm unable to provide a phone # as our phone lines are not accessible through commercial dialing...only military. If you need to speak with me, please provide a phone # and good time to call (I'm 9.5 hours ahead of central time). Please consider this request and spread the word throughout your Posts...you can't imagine how much this would mean to us here. My military email address is: kimberlee.keller@bgab.afcent.af.mil . My personal email address is kkeller27@yahoo.com. Anything you can send our way would be greatly appreciated.

My mailing address is: Kimberlee Keller, 455 AEW/JA, APO AE 09354. Thank you for your time and consideration. I understand you must get a lot of requests for donations throughout the year; If you are unable to support this request, I will understand. Anything you can send would make us smile for a few days!

I have already been in contact with Hallmark and they graciously are donating 58,000 Christmas cards for us to organize and handout for the troops here as the BX is unable to support the large demand needed. These 5-pack variety cards will be given out at Thanksgiving in order for the troops to have them in the mail by 1 December to ensure Christmas delivery to family & friends.

Kimberlee L. Keller, SMSgt, USAF
President, Top 3
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

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