"Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blankets

"WE SERVE TOO" RANDOLPH ELEMENTARY, TEXAS

2009-12-06T20:25:00.009-07:00

Sorry to be late with this e-mail. Just wanted you to know that we sent 30 stockings to Collin over the Thanksgiving holidays. They were stuffed to the gills with treats that our students had collected to make Christmas a bit brighter over there. I even sent an extra box of goodies that just wouldn’t fit into the stockings. I sent the stockings two to a box so your son-in law should be on the look out for 15 flat rate boxes and one big old box from Randolph Elementary in Texas. I’m attaching pictures of the We Serve Too kids sewing the stockings. These kids have an active duty parent currently deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq. We meet after school and do service projects for soldiers. The stockings were cowboy boot shaped and red, white, and blue like our Texas flag and of course for the good ole USA also. Please know that your sons and son-in law as well as all the soldiers in their units remain close to our hearts in thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much for allowing us to participate in this wonderful opportunity to send some warmth, good wishes, and gratitude over to these great American heroes. We hope they have a good Christmas and know that they are loved and appreciated so very much!

Dana Sommers
Third Grade Teacher
Randolph Elementary

WE STILL NEED HELP WITH STOCKINGS

2009-11-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your donotions!!!!! You are all amazing folks! It is not too late if anyone else is interested in sending a stocking to our military members. We will take donations just as long as people want to participate. Contact me with any questions. THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!

Karen Robertson Gordon
WrappedinSupportblogspot.com/
Army Wife and Mother
Marine Mother-in- law

FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHER FOR A CHRISTMAS STOCKING STUFFER PARTY!

2009-11-28T11:19:00.004-07:00

The Hancock Family and many friends gathered together on a weekend and stuffed 40 Christmas Stockings. They donated many dollars, postage,time and energy to show their support of our Military Members serving overseas. The Hancocks are Cousins to Travis, Trey and Collin. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!!

ALOHA FROM THE NUNEZ FAMILY!

2009-11-28T10:08:00.002-07:00

The Nunez family is a Marine family living in Hawaii and happily donated three Christmas Stockings. What beautiful and happy children!!! MAHALO!!!

AIR FORCE MOM DONATES STOCKING

2009-11-28T09:43:00.002-07:00

Kim Peacock is an Air Force Mom and donated a stocking to show her support of our Military Members. Thanks Kim!

THREE LITTLE ELF'S SUPPORT OPERATION STOCKING STUFFERS!

2009-11-28T09:36:00.002-07:00

Hi Aunt Karen, They are done and in the mail! Yay! Thank you for giving us such a great opportunity to do something for these brave men and women! Here is a pic of my kids with thier stockings. It was torture trying to get a decent picture of them. ha ha. You are such an awesome military mom and wife! Thank you again. Happy Holidays!! Kelly Springer

FARROW FAMILY HAPPY TO SERVE

2009-11-28T09:25:00.003-07:00

Hi Karen,We had a great night of shopping for these stockings. Our kids really had fun picking some of the items out, and have been talking about doing this for our soldiers for the past few days. I know doing this has left an impact on our family, and it's something we'll NEVER forget. Thank You for letting us take part in this! Thanks Bunches, Josh, Aly, Trevor, Cole, Jace and Hadlee Farrow

STOCKINGS STUFFED WITH LOVE AND SUPPORT BY MARINE MOM

2009-11-28T08:59:00.006-07:00

Becky Pate is a very proud Marine Mom and donated two beautiful Christmas Stockings to our Service Project. Thank you Becky!

Fill Those Stockings and Get Them In The Mail Soon!

2009-11-12T22:42:00.004-07:00

WOW!!!! We now have 149 Stockings pledged! I am so excited! You are all amazing folks to help with this service project! We love all our Military Members and appreciate all that they do! Please encourage others to help with our project so that we can meet our goal. THANK YOU ALL!!!

Karen Robertson Gordon
WrappedinSupport.blogspot.com/

Operation Christmas Stockings

2009-11-08T18:42:00.005-07:00

It's time to get those Christmas stockings mailed. If you are interested in helping, please see the guidelines below and let me know your intentions. Thank you all for your help. We have 79 stockings pledged at this time but still need a whole lot more to reach our goal. Please encourage family, friends, neighbors, etc. to help us get a stocking to each Soldier and Marine in Trey, Travis and Collin's Unit's. THANKS!!!!!

Karen Robertson Gordon
WrappedinSupport.blogspot.com/

Time for Another Service Project - Operation Stocking Stuffers

2009-10-19T10:31:00.016-06:00

Hi Everyone,

With Christmas just around the corner and three of our four boy's serving in the Military overseas, it's time to do another Service Project. Our goal is to send 250 filled Christmas Stockings to them, which they will then distribute to members in their Company. We want to send 100 stockings to Collin, 100 stockings to Trey (both serving in Afghanistan) and 50 stockings to Travis (serving in Germany).

This is a wonderful opportunity to boost the morale and lift the spirits of a tired, homesick Soldier or Marine this Christmas. Please help us to fill Christmas stockings for these brave patriots who have answered the call to duty and are serving in harms way. As grateful citizens, friends, family and neighbors, this is the least we can do to assure them that they have not been forgotten this Holiday Season.

If you would like to participate, please read the guidelines below. If you have any questions, please contact me by email at NannyDo@msn.com or call 1-801-721-5110. Please share this Service Project with others you know so that we can meet our goal of 250 stockings.

Thank you for your support of our Military Members!!!

Karen Robertson Gordon
WrappedinSupport.blogspot.com/
801-721-5110

Christmas Stocking Guidelines

Any Christmas Stocking approximately 18 inches long
Fill stocking with some of the items listed below or with items of your choice
Include a card with your return address or email and our blogspot: WrappedinSupport.blogspot.com/
REMEMBER, you will be mailing the stockings to the POC (point of contact) in either Afghanistan or Germany, depending on the name I give you
Mail directly to the Soldier/Marine who's name you will be given when you contact me directly at NannyDo@msn.com or 801-721-5110
When mailing the stocking/stockings use either the Large Flat Rate UPS box @ $11.95 (should fit 2-4 stockings) or the Medium Flat Rate UPS box @ $10.35 (should fit 1-3 stockings)
Stocking must be in the mail and sent by November 19, 2009 to arrive in time for Christmas
Please email pictures of you with your stocking/stockings so that I can put them on our blogspot
Any questions call me or email me

Care package items list:

Beef Jerky/slim jims
Single Water Flavorings-Crystal light/Kool-Aid/Gatorade
DVD's/CD's
Nuts/sunflower seeds
Coffee /tea singles
Magazines -need to be appropriate
Trail mix
Gum/hard candy/licorice
White/black socks
Power bars/granola bars
Fruit snacks/canned fruit
White t-shirts
Peanut butter/crackers
Cookies/Little Debbie snacks
Hand held games
Tuna/Chicken kits
Instant oatmeal
Cards/dice/
Sing/serv pop top micro food
Poptarts
Travel games
Ramen/Cup of Noodles
Micro pop corn
Writing supplies
Easy Mac & cheese
Pretzels/chips
Deodorant
Ravioli
Dried fruits
Toothpaste/brush
Protein/energy drinks
Salsa /chips
Chapstick /lotion
Single soups
Crackers/Cheese
Eye/nose drops
Breakfast bars
Sardines/Tuna
Hand sanitizer
Single box cereals
Hot choc/apple cider mix
Wet wipes
Pop top stew
Chocolate candy- winter only
AA/AAA Batteries
Canned salmon
Face wash
Foot cream/powder
Smoked Oysters
Mini sport balls
Sun block/glasses
Packet Tuna/Chicken
Gel insoles/odor eaters
Shaving supplies
Beef summer sausage
Blister Bandages
Bug towelettes
Seasoning/condiments
Disposable cameras
Neck coolers
High protein/healthy snack
Ice packs
Travel pillow/sheets
Air fresheners
Rolaids /tums
Shampoo/conditioner
Global calling cards
Q-tips/ nail clipper/tissue packets
Throat soothers
NO Pork products allowed
Antibiotic/Hydro cortisone salve
Tylenol/advil
Puzzle
Any Seasonal/Christmas items (especially if it makes them smile!)

All foods must be easy open
pop tops, single servings
Sample/trial size

These are just suggested items, please feel free to add any appropriate items you want.

Ft. Riley Post Newspaper Article

2008-12-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

Soldier’s Mom Starts Blanket Campaign
By FORT RILEY(12/5/2008 #2117)

As the mother of a Soldier serving on his second deployment to Iraq, Karen Gordon of Utah spent many sleepless nights during the past 15 months worrying if her son, Sgt. Travis Gordon, of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, was all right.
“I would lie in bed at night thinking, ‘I’ve got to do something to show them what we can do (here for them),’” she said. “I literally would spend many sleepless nights worried about him. What is he doing? What is his mission? As a mother, I wanted to show our appreciation for what they do for our country.”

Karen knew once the Soldiers redeployed to Fort Riley, they would be living in brand new barracks, so she decided the best way to show her support was to have blankets made for each Soldier in her son’s company. “What a better way for these guys to wrap up in these blankets and know people support them. Blankets bring security and I think that helps,” she said.

To get the ball rolling, Karen contacted Erica McMannes, the company’s Family Readiness Group leader. Erica’s husband, Matthew, also was deployed with the company and she was more than willing to help Karen see her project to fruition.

“I thought it was a great idea. It was very exciting. This is one more thing to keep you distracted from what’s going on,” Erica said. “There are so many people that want a way to show their support, so it feels good to give people that outlet and have something in the end for the Soldiers.”

When Karen found out there were just 40 Soldiers in her son’s company, she realized she could probably make 40 blankets in one day. So she asked Erica how many Soldiers were in the battalion. McMannes told her 400. So she decided to make 400 blankets instead.

“People kept saying to me, ‘How are you going to get 400 blankets?’ I kept saying, ‘Watch. People will do it. I know people support the military. I know that we can do this,’” Karen said.

“When we first got a couple in, I thought, ‘Okay, maybe 400 is a big dream.’ But it wasn’t.”
People heard about the project from word-of-mouth and the blankets began trickling in, Karen said. Then she set up a Web site and the results were astonishing.

“We had neighbors, friends and strangers we didn’t even know who would hear about the project,” she said. “We were getting blankets, e-mails and pictures. I literally would sit at my computer at night organizing the blankets that were coming in, the e-mails we were getting, pictures for the website and I would cry. I don’t remember how many nights I would sit at that computer and cry over the generosity of the American people. Most of these people do not even have a connection to these Soldiers. Yes, there is a lot of Family support throughout, but a lot of them were complete strangers who heard about the project and said, ‘We want to help.’ That’s what made me cry – to see the support that we’ve gotten.”

From the end of August, when the project started, to the Nov. 10 deadline, Karen received more than 400 blankets from 25 states around the nation.

She also received handmade cards to give to the redeploying Soldiers from children at Randolph Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas, who all had at least one parent serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Additionally, the children made 18 of the 400 blankets for the Soldiers.

“It doesn’t matter if they’re single or if they’re married, they need to know that we, as the majority of the American people, support what these guys do,” Karen said. “Whether we agree with the war or whatever, we support these guys and they need to be shown that appreciation. We can’t go back to the days of Vietnam.”

On Nov. 25, a steady stream of Soldiers arrived at a small building on Marshall Army Airfield to pick up their blankets. Each blanket was made with two yards of fleece in patriotic colors and rolled up with love.

Attached to each blanket was a card telling the Soldiers the name of the person who made each blanket and the city and state where the blanket was made.

“I hope every time they (the Soldiers) look at these blankets, they just realize what love came with them,” Karen said. “It just makes me very proud I have the Family that I do and the American people support it.”

To learn more about the “Wrapped in Support” Freedom Blankets, go to http://wrappedinsupport.blogspot.com.
By Dena O’DellStaff writer
Post/O’DellErica McMannes, FRG leader and wife of Capt. Matthew McMannes, Co. C., 3rd AHB, 1st Avn. Regt., CAB, MacKenzie White, daughter of Karen Gordon, and Erica's son, Kilian, smile while handing out "Wrapped in Freedom" blankets to Soldiers with 3rd AHB, 1st Avn. Regt., CAB, Nov. 25 in a building on Marshall Army Airfield.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!!

2008-12-03T21:04:00.003-07:00

Thank you everyone!!!! I wish you could all have been with us at Ft. Riley, KS. The Soldiers and their families were so excited to get your blankets. This has been a wonderful experience for all of us. I also want to thank Erica McMannes, C CO Family Readiness Group Leader, who did so much to coordinate things from Ft. Riley, KS. She ROCKS!!!!!

ON THE ROAD TO FT. RILEY, KANSAS

2008-12-03T20:02:00.005-07:00

Friday, November 21, 2008 - We loaded up our cargo trailer with 31 bags of Freedom Blankets and headed for Ft. Riley, KS. We had been called earlier in the morning by Travis, who was still in Kuwait, waiting to find out if he would be one of the Soldiers on the plane out that night. He told us it was not a for sure thing and that he wouldn't know until later that evening. So, with a great leap of faith, we started out for Kansas hoping that when we arrived we would see Travis. We stopped in Rock Springs, WY for something to eat and decided we would stay overnight since we had not heard from Travis. As we were eating pizza, we received a call from C CO, 3-1 CAB telling us that this is your "24 hour notice" for your Soldiers Homecoming!!!!! WOW!!!! We were so excited! However, we still had a 14 hour drive ahead of us if we were to make it to his Homecoming Ceremony on Saturday, November 22, 2008.

We went to bed early and was up at 0330 ready to get on the road again only to find we had a flat tire! Stephen and Sean replaced the flat tire with the spare in 17 degree weather! It was really cold! We drove straight through to Ft. Riley, KS, stopping only to get gas, bathroom breaks and food stops. Notice who is sleeping in the passenger seat.

We had just enough time to get our Hotel room, shower, change clothes and drive to Ft. Riley for the Homecoming. We look pretty good for having driven all day! We were so excited to see Travis again and could hardly stand waiting for the Soldiers to arrive in the hangar. (The group of ladies in back of us are from Junction City, KS and came to welcome home the Soldiers although they did not know anyone returning. What awesome support for our Military!!)

As the Soldiers started marching into the hangar, we all stood up and held our Welcome Home sign. Travis was in the second to last row of Soldiers to march into the hangar and we all screamed and cried when we saw him! I think he was surprised to see us, he gave us his little smile of recognition and bowed his head.

Soldiers standing at attention during Homecoming Ceremony. What a sight for sore eyes!!!! Isn't that huge flag beautiful! These Soldiers have been away from home and their loved ones for 15 months.

2008-12-03T19:57:00.001-07:00

Mom got the first big hug and then Dad held him tight! Homecomings are wonderful!

Sean, MacKenzie, Travis, Karen and Stephen. Notice the big smiles on our faces and the big moustache on Travis! When your son has been off to War, you just want to hold on to him and never let go again.

2008-12-03T19:49:00.001-07:00

We had a 'meet and greet' with the Soldiers in the Yellow Ribbon Room and passed out their blankets to them. Every Soldier we spoke to was so appreciative of your support for them. They were blown away that so many good people donated blankets.

"WRAPPED IN SUPPORT" FREEDOM BLANKETS WARMLY RECEIVED BY SOLDIERS OF 3-1 CAB, FT. RILEY, KANSAS

2008-12-03T19:40:00.001-07:00

2008-12-03T19:35:00.000-07:00

2008-12-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

2008-12-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

2008-12-03T19:05:00.003-07:00

2008-12-03T18:56:00.006-07:00

PICTURES SHOULD BE ON OUR WEBSITE TONIGHT

2008-12-01T15:41:00.002-07:00

It has been a wild two weeks. First of all, my home computer took a nose dive and became infected with a virus. I was not able to update our website and keep you up on when we were making our road trip to Kansas and I apologize to those of you who were checking. My computer should be up and running tonight. We drove to Kansas last week and delivered the Freedom Blankets to the Soldiers at Ft. Riley. It was a wonderful experience!!!! I will be putting pictures of our trip on our website tonight, if all goes well with the computer. Please check back.

Karen Robertson Gordon
"Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blankets

Wrapped in Support Count

2008-11-16T10:56:00.002-07:00

Glitter Graphics Maker & MySpace Layouts

OPERATION FREEDOM BLANKETS

2008-11-12T16:53:00.002-07:00

The 96th Regional Readiness Command at Fort Douglas,

UT contribute 12 Freedom Blankets to "Wrapped in

Support". From left to right is SFC Julie Atkins, Janette

Adamson,Theresa Brown, 1LT Dani Fitshugh, LeShea

Higashiyama. Not pictured is SFC Veronica Yarghn.

SISTER SUPPORTS BROTHERS

2008-11-11T16:28:00.002-07:00

My name is Misty. My husband is 3-1 Alpha and I have

four blankets to donate. This is a picture of my Husband's

little Sister (with a Freedom Blanket), and as of right now,

both of her bothers are in Iraq.

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!!!!!!!

2008-11-09T14:07:00.003-07:00

WE DID IT!!! A great big THANK YOU to Each and Everyone of YOU!!!! WE have reached our goal of 400 "Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blankets TODAY!!! WE DID IT!!! I am so elated and so proud of all of you for your support of our military members and this service project. So many have come to together, families, friends, neighbors, strangers, schools, auxiliaries, clubs, church groups, boy scouts, girl scouts, current and former military members (Army, Air Force and Marines). We are so blessed to live in the USA and enjoy so many freedoms! We are blessed to be among so many good people! We are blessed that our family members will be home with us again, soon! THANK YOU ALL! GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES!!! We will continue to update this website with the number of Freedom Blankets that are still coming in. Please know that each blanket will be given to a Military Member in appreciation of their service to our country. We will be traveling to Ft. Riley, Kansas to deliver all your blankets sometime around Thanksgiving. We will be taking pictures and will post them on this website. So, please stay in touch with us. We are looking forward to our Soldiers coming home!! YAHOO!

STILL ON THE ROAD

2008-11-07T18:53:00.001-07:00

Remember that I am still traveling and am not able to update our website as often as I would like to. I will be returning after the weekend. We are so close to our goal!

MY GRANDCHILDREN

2008-11-04T21:56:00.002-07:00

Nathalie, Corbin, Cooper and Caleb of Marine Corp Base

Hawaii show off their 6 "Wrapped in Support" Freedom

Blankets they helped make with the help of their parents

Collin and Stephanie. Cutest grandkids in all the world!

THANK YOU!

FREEDOM BLANKETS CONTINUE TO FLY IN!!!

2008-11-04T21:33:00.002-07:00

Richard, Steve, Irene, Mike and Dean of Flight Test at

Hill Air Force Base, UT donate Freedom Blankets.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN - Stay Tuned

2008-11-03T08:25:00.003-07:00

We are sooooo close to reaching our goal of 400 "Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blankets! This has been such an exciting project and all your hard work and support is so appreciated. I will be traveling this week and will not be able to update the blanket count as often as everyday. I know that many of you like to check each day to see where we are at with our count, so I apologize for the inconvenience. I will update the website between my trips out of town, just as soon as possible. So hang in there! I feel very confident that we will reach our goal by the end of the week. THANK YOU EVERYONE!! WE WILL SUCCEED!
:)

FREEDOM BLANKETS KEEP ROLLING IN!!!!

2008-11-01T21:39:00.003-06:00

Stephen and Karen Gordon and the awesome pile of

Freedom Blankets

This is what 300+ "Wrapped in Support" Freedom

Blankets look like!!

FREEDOM BLANKET DONATIONS

2008-11-01T21:16:00.002-06:00

Ann Sparrow and her donated Freedom
Blanket

Freedom Blankets donated by the Gallegos and Miya
Families of Syracuse, UT

Freedom Blankets donated by Daisy Troop 975, South
Torrance, CA

Debbie Welch with two donated Freedom
Blankets

Wrapped in Support Count

2008-10-30T20:08:00.004-06:00

WOW!!!!! We have now reached
a big milestone!! Today we received
our "300th" Freedom Blanket in the
mail from Lance and Linda Bradbury
of Spring Creek, NV. You guys are
FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
300 Wrapped in Support Freedom
Blankets and counting!

SOLDIER'S WIFE APPRECIATES SUPPORT

2008-10-30T19:38:00.007-06:00

Top picture: Mabry, Leigh, Sarah, Trey
and Alyssa

Bottom picture: Jodye

"Thank you for organizing this wonderful outreach!
Between my sister, sisters-in-law and myself, we
were able to make 6 blankets for your project.
Thank you for your hard work! We "soldier's
wives, sisters and friends" really appreciate any
and all support!"
Respectfully,

Alyssa

DEADLINE DATE FOR 'WRAPPED IN SUPPORT' FREEDOM BLANKETS EXTENDED

2008-10-29T21:51:00.001-06:00

We are extending the end date for our service project to November 10, 2008. We are so close to meeting our goal of 400 blankets! We should see our 300th blanket in the next day or two, so keep them coming! THANK YOU ALL!

Karen Robertson Gordon
Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blankets

LADIES FROM THE AMERICAN LEGION AND DAUGHTERS OF UTAH PIONEERS, ORANGEVILLE, UTAH DONATE FREEDOM BLANKETS

2008-10-29T21:17:00.010-06:00

The ladies of the Orangeville, UT Chapter of The American Legion Auxiliary and Daughters of Utah Pioneers got together and made 14 Freedom Blankets. The generosity and kindness of these wonderful ladies is much appreciated! THANK YOU!!!!

PATRIOTIC FABRIC IS AVAILABLE

2008-10-28T14:16:00.005-06:00

The Layton, UT and Riverdale, UT Hancock's Fabric Store has patriotic fleece! (Oct. 29, 2008).

Oh, just a reminder........if you shop at JoAnn's Fabric store, remember to ask them where their patriotic material section is, you will find patriotic fleece there rather than with all their other fleece. Any patriotic print, solid red, white or blue, patriotic plaids, Army camo and Army prints are all acceptable for the Freedom Blankets. Have fun "no sewing".

Karen Robertson Gordon
"Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blankets

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY FERRON, UTAH

2008-10-27T23:06:00.006-06:00

The American Legion Auxiliary Ferron Unit #42, Ferron, UT

donated four beautiful "Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blankets

to our Soldiers. THANK YOU!!!! You are the GREATEST!

BARN'S GRILL DONATES BLANKETS

2008-10-27T23:00:00.003-06:00

David and Leta Robertson of BARN'S GRILL in Castle Dale, UT donated 7 Freedom Blankets. THANK YOU!!

IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR

2008-10-27T20:38:00.010-06:00

Allie, Maddie and Ted

Landon, Jared, Laura, Callen & Connor

Jared

Earlene, Melanie, Reagan, Leta, Ricky, Ruth & Robyn

Melanie and Reagan

Dallen, Bowdrie, Dakota & Abbie

Jessie, Taylor & Katelyn

The Robert and Earlene Allen family of Orangeville, UT

donated 33 Freedom Blankets to "Wrapped in Support".

One blanket for each and every member of their family!

A great big THANK YOU!!!!

WE GOT YOU COVERED 3-1 CAB NIGHTMARES

2008-10-23T20:35:00.002-06:00

TRIWEST AT HILL AFB, UT DONATES TO "WRAPPED IN SUPPORT" FREEDOM BLANKETS

2008-10-23T05:12:00.004-06:00

Cindy, Lia, Gwen, Melissa and Julie donate

Freedom Blankets.

Co-workers at TriWest Healthcare Alliance donated

their at home time to make five Freedom Blankets.

Thanks! You gals ROCK!!!!

DADDY'S COMING HOME!

2008-10-22T21:20:00.002-06:00

Hello! My son and I finished up one of the two I have been working on last night. So count 9 blankets total in my house! I attached a pic of my son who had a great time gathering up the scraps of fleece as I worked! Happy Blanket Gathering!!!

Erica

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS MEET TO MAKE FREEDOM BLANKETS

2008-10-22T18:45:00.004-06:00

Last night a group of friends and neighbors met in
Syracuse, UT and donated 9 Freedom Blankets!
Everyone worked so hard and did a very great job.

Thank you Syracuse Legacy Park LDS Ward for helping us

to our goal. Not only did the ladies complete 9 blankets,

they took home fleece to make an additional 9 blankets

during this next week. Thanks to Christy Church for

coordinating our Blanket Party!

I CAN'T FIND ANY PATRIOTIC FLEECE

2008-10-22T13:44:00.002-06:00

WEST POINT, UTAH FAMILY STEPS IT UP AND DONATES THE 200TH FREEDOM BLANKET!

2008-10-21T20:29:00.006-06:00

Ciara, Keyan, Kallie and Bridger Gordon donate the "200th"
Freedom Blanket!

John and Marnie Gordon and their children made and donated
10 blankets! Because of their great efforts, we have now reached
another BIG MILESTONE, "200" Wrapped
in Support Freedom Blankets!!!!
John and Marnie are SGT Travis Gordon's Uncle and Aunt.

THANK YOU GORDON'S!

TIME IS A TICKING!!!!

2008-10-21T09:37:00.007-06:00

We have 10 days left (November 1, 2008) to reach our goal of 400 "Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blankets. You have all been so wonderful in your donations! Let's all give it one more BIG push and spread the word again to everyone out there. We really would like to have a donation from each and every USA State in our GREAT Nation! If you know someone who lives in a State that is not represented on our donation list, please contact them and ask if they would be interested in donating a blanket. We will reach our goal because of your support and enthusiasm for this service project and our Military Men and Women! THANK YOU ALL!

Stephen and Karen Gordon
"Wrapped in Support"

CAMELS AND BLANKETS

2008-10-20T21:05:00.003-06:00

What a great way to show our Soldiers how much they are appreciated -- thank you for putting this together! :-)

I heard about your Freedom Blankets through our FRG Leader, Bianca, and I've done my best to pass the word to family and friends. I surely hope you reach your goal! One blanket for every Nightmare would be wonderful!!!

Best Wishes,
Lisa

SYRACUSE, UTAH FAMILY SUPPORTS BROTHER

2008-10-20T10:27:00.004-06:00

Sean, Wickett and MacKenzie White of Syracuse, Utah.

MacKenzie is a sister to SGT Travis Gordon of C CO, 3-1 AVN, 1 CAB. MacKenzie has been very involved in the "Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blanket service project. She is our "CEO" of Marketing and Advertisement! :) We could not reach our goal without so many fabulous family members and friends both old and new!

UTAH SISTERS DONATE TO "WRAPPED IN SUPPORT"

2008-10-20T10:20:00.004-06:00

Sister's, Kim Peacock and Deanna Dandoy of Hooper, Utah
donate two beautiful Freedom Blankets.

A SPECIAL ANGEL IN DENVER, COLORADO DONATES FREEDOM BLANKET

2008-10-19T18:44:00.003-06:00

Hi there, here is a picture of Caelum Witcher, 8, my nephew from Denver, Colorado. He helped make the blanket at the left and is writing his thank you note to the soldier who will receive it. He was so excited! My husband, Ryan Husted, is deployed right now and is company commander for A Co, 3-1, CAB. I am the FRG Leader from Alpha Company and we made another blanket last weekend! I have enough for two more and my mom is making a third, so we will be giving five total!!! We appreciate your cause and have had a wonderful time getting everyone involved!!!!

Sarah Lilly
Manhattan, KS

WE SERVE TOO!

2008-10-19T18:31:00.012-06:00

I'm attaching pictures of our We Serve Too kids. We Serve Too is a club for children at Randolph Elementary on Randolph AFB that have an active duty parent currently deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. The kids are pictured as they tied knots in three of the eleven blankets we have for you. Not pictured are two more blankets being made by Family Services in San Antonio and five more being made by our very own Randolph Student Council. I think the student council is sending pictures from their meeting. They probably already have. We were thrilled to have one of Ft. Riley's finest join us. Capt. Roman and his wife. Her mom teaches here at Randolph and that is how we found out about you. You have a picture of the two of them on your blogspot holding up two blankets that they made. They were the ones that wanted to make a few more before they moved. Well, they swung through Texas on their way to Georgia and helped us. Also, we had several soldiers (spouses of deployed) helping us. I think these blankets are full of pride and love for our fine military. We wish your soldiers the warmest of homecomings. Please let them know that they are truly wrapped in our support. Much thanks to you for your vision on this outstanding project.

Warmest regards,

Dana Sommers

Third Grade Teacher

Randolph Elementary

San Antonio, TX

BLANKETS, BLANKETS AND MORE BLANKETS

2008-10-16T18:15:00.001-06:00

Stephen and Karen Gordon
"Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blankets

AWESOME FREEDOM BLANKET DONATED FROM FT. RILEY, KANSAS

2008-10-14T07:55:00.007-06:00

Here is a picture of the blanket I made for the Wrapped in Support Blankets. I will be mailing it off tomorrow morning. I am friends with Erica who passed your cause on to me. My husband will be home (to Fort Riley) with the CAB also. My prayers are with your son and all of the soldiers headed home!

Good luck and God Bless! Thank you for the opportunity to help!

Danielle

CLEVELAND, UTAH DONATES FREEDOM BLANKETS

2008-10-13T09:55:00.006-06:00

Brayson, Zach and Maddie World

"Here is a picture of my children with three of the blankets that we made. I wish your project good luck and we send our love (and a box of blankets) to your family from Cleveland Utah.
Love,
Shannon and Bart World"

THANK YOU World's!!! The picture of the children is great and the excitement in their faces is precious. How wonderful it is to see so many families supporting our military.

100th "WRAPPED IN SUPPORT" FREEDOM BLANKET DONATED!!

2008-10-10T19:21:00.013-06:00

Stan and Debbie Poorman of Syracuse, UT, kindly donated this "Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blanket. This now brings our GRAND TOTAL to 100 blankets!!!! With wonderful folks like these two we will reach our goal! THANK YOU Poorman's for supporting our service project for our military members serving in the War overseas.

DONATION FROM HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

2008-10-08T19:51:00.003-06:00

The Home Economics Class Middle School students at Westminster Christian Academy in Huntsville, Alabama made and donated four Freedom Blankets! They also made and attached very sweet, handwritten letters expressing their thanks and gratitude to the Soldiers of 3-1 AVN 1 CAB.

BLANKET OVERVIEW AND GUIDELINES

2008-10-06T22:41:00.004-06:00

Please remember to check the OLDER POSTS at the bottom of this page for blanket overview and guidelines if you are new to our site or have questions on how to make the blankets.

FT. RILEY, KANSAS COUPLE DONATE TWO BEAUTIFUL FREEDOM BLANKETS

2008-10-06T12:34:00.004-06:00

"I think what you are doing is wonderful!! Here is a picture of two blankets that we made. We are moving in less than a week, but hope to complete a couple more. I hope the goal is reached. I check every day to see how many blankets you have received. Thanks for supporting our soldiers and God Bless!!"

Jana & Widmar Roman

Fort Riley, KS

THANK YOU Jana and Widmar!

WHAT ARE 'WRAPPED IN SUPPORT' FREEDOM BLANKETS?

2008-10-06T10:35:00.007-06:00

My Heroes - Trey, Travis and Stephen Gordon

Travis Gordon - C Co, 3-1 AVN, 1 CAB

With my oldest son, Travis, soon returning home to the U.S.A. from a long 15 month duty in the War Zone, I wanted to do something to show him and his fellow soldiers how much we at home appreciate what they do for our freedoms. So, I initiated this service project, "Wrapped In Support" Freedom Blankets. I initially wanted to do 40 blankets for his C CO, the Blacksheep, but thought that goal was too easy, so decided to reach for the stars and do 400 blankets for the entire 3-1 AVN 1 Combat Aviation Batallion. These soldiers will be returning home sometime in November. The single soldiers will be returning to new barracks at Ft. Riley, Kansas, and hopefully they will each have a new blanket for their beds.

This is a surprise! My son does not know that we are doing this. My husband Stephen and my daughters MacKenzie and Ashlie and myself are planning on driving back to Ft. Riley, Kansas when the soldiers return home. We hope to greet them as they step off the plane and give them each a blanket and a big THANK YOU!

The support that we have been getting is OUTSTANDING! There are so many kind and generous Americans who have volunteered to donate blankets. I have been in touch with the Family Readiness Group Leader for C Company at Ft. Riley, Erica McMannes. She has been spreading the word there and making blankets. I have been blessed with a great extended family who is supporting this project. My oldest sister, Earlene, has 33 members in her immediate family and another sister, Robyn, has 40 members. Each of their families have committed to make one blanket for each member of their family!!!!! "Why?", I asked them. "That is a whole lot of blankets and $$$$!". Each of them expressed that this is just a small way to show their appreciation and support for our military members! FANTASTIC!! I was standing in the fabric store last weekend with my sister buying material and the sales girl asked us what we were doing with all the patriotic fleece. We explained the service project to her. A few minutes later, a woman and her daughter tapped me on my shoulder and handed me $10.00. She stated that she had overheard us talking and wanted to donate to our project. TEARS! I received a call from a very nice lady in San Antonio, TX last Sunday. She stated that she is with a young group of kids at Randolph AFB called "We Serve Too". She said they heard about our project and will be getting together to make blankets to donate to us. WOW! I received a box of 5 blankets from a woman in Michigan who stated she has two Army sons and heard about our project from "a friend" in Kansas and wanted to help! AWESOME! ADS Motorsports in Ogden, UT donated the money for 7 blankets and a Young Womens group in Perry, UT made the blankets! EXCEPTIONAL! Money was donated for 20 blankets from family, friends and coworkers and a Young Womens group in So. Ogden, UT made the blankets. OUTSTANDING! We have been receiving wonderful support from friends, neighbors, co-workers and family. YOU ROCK! If it is a donation of one blanket vs. 40, each and every one is so appreciated! It is truly amazing the support we are getting and very humbling! I look forward to opening my emails and receiving the mail.

I so hope that we can reach our goal of 400 blankets. Please share this blogspot with others who you think may be interested in helping us. I would really like to see a blanket donated from each and every (50) U.S. State.

THANK YOU ALL!

"WRAPPED IN SUPPORT" Freedom Blankets, Ft. Riley, Kansas or BUST!

A BLANKET PARTY AT THE RAMPTON'S!!!!!

2008-10-05T19:50:00.007-06:00

Aunt Robyn, her daughters and daughters-in-law and all their children got together yesterday and had one big "blanket party"!!. In just one day they cut and tied "35" Freedom Blankets for the 1 CAB. While some cut, others tied, everyone helped to include the little ones. I imagine that this will be a wonderful memory for their family when they all look back and remember when. The Rampton's are a very patriotic family. THANK YOU!!!!!!

MORE PICTURES

2008-10-02T17:42:00.005-06:00

Kim Peacock of Roy, Utah made and donated this Freedom Blanket! Wonderful job!

HOW CUTE IS THIS??

2008-09-22T16:59:00.004-06:00

Even the children are involved! The Ellsworth's who are in Ohio donated this Freedom Blanket. Some lucky Soldier will have this on their bed when they return back to the States. THANK YOU Ellsworth's.

FABRIC SALE

2008-09-18T17:29:00.011-06:00

UPDATE (Oct. 22, 2008): Hancok Fabrics seems to be the best place to purchase patriotic fleece. I have contacted the Layton, UT and Riverdale, UT stores and they have promised me that they will have more patriotic fleece the first of next week. Layton has ordered 9 bolts of patriotic fleece, not sure how many Riverdale has ordered. The West Jordan, UT store and 3300 South, SLC, store both have patriotic fleece.

UPDATE (Oct. 6, 2008): Hancock Fabrics is still having a sale on their fleece. Prices for the Northern Lights Fleece Solids and the Glacier Fleece Prints are the same as they were in the update below. The Fireside Anti-pill Fleece Solids are on sale at 50% off.

UPDATE (Sept. 25, 2008): Hancock Fabrics is having an Anniversary Sale September 28-October 5, 2008. Northern Lights Fleece Solids are 50% off reg. $5.99 yd./sale $2.99 yd. Glacier Fleece Prints are 50% off reg. $8.99 yd./sale $4.50 yd. Novelty Fleece Fancies, Premium Fleece Prints and Fireside Anti-pill Fleece Solids are all 30% off. Remember that blankets need to be red, white, blue or patriotic prints, and any Army print or Army camo print.

Hancock Fabrics is having a sale on their fleece. I have found some really fun patriotic fleece prints at a very reasonable cost. Their Northern Lights Fleece Solids are reg. $5.99 yd./sale price is $2.99 yd., the sale price ends Sunday, September 21, 2008. Premium Fleece Prints are reg. $9.99/sale price $6.99, the sale price ends October 1, 2008. If you combine a print with a solid, the cost is approx. $20.00 plus tax to make one blanket. If you combine a solid with a solid, the cost is approx. $12.00 plus tax to make one blanket.

JoAnn Fabric's has a fleece sale starting on September 21, 2008 and ending October 4, 2008. I checked them out yesterday and they have a few prints and lot's of solids. Prices are reg. $7.99 - $12.99 yd./sale $3.99 - $6.49.

Have fun "no-sewing"!!

Forward Your Picture!

2008-09-18T17:29:00.004-06:00

Hi Everyone,

Thanks again for all your support in reaching our goal of 400 blankets by November 1, 2008. I know there are many of you out there working on your blankets and I look forward to seeing your finished product. Please take a picture of you and your blanket and email the picture to me (NannyDo@msn.com) if you would like to be on this website. It is so much fun to see the different blankets, who donated the blanket and where they live. I have either received blankets or have received a commitment to donate blankets from folks living in the states of Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Iowa, Ohio, Hawaii and Kansas. I hope to have a map up soon on this website which will display the various cities of where blankets are coming from, so watch for that in the near future. Remember that the deadline is November 1, 2008 to have your blankets to me. THANKS! :)

Loretta Vogt - Iowa

2008-09-15T20:55:00.002-06:00

Loretta Vogt
Blairstown, Iowa holding her wonderful donated "Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blanket.

"Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blankets are starting to stack up!

2008-09-15T20:32:00.003-06:00

Here are the first blankets that I have received. I hope to see this pile grow substantially over the next few weeks. Four of these blankets were donated from Marine Corp Base Hawaii. Watch this blog site for a future map of cities where blankets are donated from.

Donation from Fort Riley, Kansas

2008-09-15T15:25:00.001-06:00

(left to right) Erica, Jackie, Bianca - C CO Wives

Great Aunt Florence Meyer with her donated Freedom Blanket

2008-09-15T15:20:00.001-06:00

How cute is this! This is 91 year old Florence Meyer of RR Marengo, IA. Bless her heart!!!

First 3 donated Freedom Blankets

2008-09-15T15:11:00.001-06:00

Donated by Karen Gordon - Syracuse, UT

Donated by Stephen Gordon - Syracuse, UT

Donated by Tom Eurek - Tucson, AZ

"Wrapped In Support" Freedom Blankets Overview and Directions

2008-09-15T13:19:00.001-06:00

Click to Enlarge

"Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blankets

"WE SERVE TOO" RANDOLPH ELEMENTARY, TEXAS

WE STILL NEED HELP WITH STOCKINGS

FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHER FOR A CHRISTMAS STOCKING STUFFER PARTY!

ALOHA FROM THE NUNEZ FAMILY!

AIR FORCE MOM DONATES STOCKING

THREE LITTLE ELF'S SUPPORT OPERATION STOCKING STUFFERS!

FARROW FAMILY HAPPY TO SERVE

STOCKINGS STUFFED WITH LOVE AND SUPPORT BY MARINE MOM

Fill Those Stockings and Get Them In The Mail Soon!

Operation Christmas Stockings

Time for Another Service Project - Operation Stocking Stuffers

Ft. Riley Post Newspaper Article

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!!

ON THE ROAD TO FT. RILEY, KANSAS

"WRAPPED IN SUPPORT" FREEDOM BLANKETS WARMLY RECEIVED BY SOLDIERS OF 3-1 CAB, FT. RILEY, KANSAS

PICTURES SHOULD BE ON OUR WEBSITE TONIGHT

Wrapped in Support Count

OPERATION FREEDOM BLANKETS

SISTER SUPPORTS BROTHERS

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!!!!!!!

STILL ON THE ROAD

MY GRANDCHILDREN

FREEDOM BLANKETS CONTINUE TO FLY IN!!!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN - Stay Tuned

FREEDOM BLANKETS KEEP ROLLING IN!!!!

FREEDOM BLANKET DONATIONS

Wrapped in Support Count

SOLDIER'S WIFE APPRECIATES SUPPORT

DEADLINE DATE FOR 'WRAPPED IN SUPPORT' FREEDOM BLANKETS EXTENDED

LADIES FROM THE AMERICAN LEGION AND DAUGHTERS OF UTAH PIONEERS, ORANGEVILLE, UTAH DONATE FREEDOM BLANKETS

PATRIOTIC FABRIC IS AVAILABLE

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY FERRON, UTAH

BARN'S GRILL DONATES BLANKETS

IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR

WE GOT YOU COVERED 3-1 CAB NIGHTMARES

TRIWEST AT HILL AFB, UT DONATES TO "WRAPPED IN SUPPORT" FREEDOM BLANKETS

DADDY'S COMING HOME!

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS MEET TO MAKE FREEDOM BLANKETS

I CAN'T FIND ANY PATRIOTIC FLEECE

WEST POINT, UTAH FAMILY STEPS IT UP AND DONATES THE 200TH FREEDOM BLANKET!

TIME IS A TICKING!!!!

CAMELS AND BLANKETS

SYRACUSE, UTAH FAMILY SUPPORTS BROTHER

UTAH SISTERS DONATE TO "WRAPPED IN SUPPORT"

A SPECIAL ANGEL IN DENVER, COLORADO DONATES FREEDOM BLANKET

WE SERVE TOO!

BLANKETS, BLANKETS AND MORE BLANKETS

AWESOME FREEDOM BLANKET DONATED FROM FT. RILEY, KANSAS

CLEVELAND, UTAH DONATES FREEDOM BLANKETS

***100th "WRAPPED IN SUPPORT" FREEDOM BLANKET DONATED!!***

DONATION FROM HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

BLANKET OVERVIEW AND GUIDELINES

FT. RILEY, KANSAS COUPLE DONATE TWO BEAUTIFUL FREEDOM BLANKETS

WHAT ARE 'WRAPPED IN SUPPORT' FREEDOM BLANKETS?

A BLANKET PARTY AT THE RAMPTON'S!!!!!

MORE PICTURES

HOW CUTE IS THIS??

FABRIC SALE

Forward Your Picture!

Loretta Vogt - Iowa

"Wrapped in Support" Freedom Blankets are starting to stack up!

Donation from Fort Riley, Kansas

Great Aunt Florence Meyer with her donated Freedom Blanket

First 3 donated Freedom Blankets

"Wrapped In Support" Freedom Blankets Overview and Directions

100th "WRAPPED IN SUPPORT" FREEDOM BLANKET DONATED!!