Check out YouTube for our SAC Ad for our upcoming First Friday Main Line Charity Event, which will be held during the normal First Friday Main Line on Friday September 5th, 2008. Also check out www.firstfridaymainline.com

Also check out this swell article courtesy of Cheryl Allison:

Posted on Tue, Aug 19, 2008
First Friday event will show support for the troops
By Cheryl Allison

To American troops serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, being able to stroll the main streets of their hometowns, run into a neighbor or two, and stop to hear a band play at an outdoor mini-concert would probably sound like a dream.Though it can't happen for them just yet, Main Line residents who visit next month's First Friday Main Line event in Ardmore can keep those servicemen and women in their thoughts through a special program.

On Sept. 5 from 5 to 9 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 843 on Lancaster Avenue will host an event for the American Troop Support Team, a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to providing "tangible support to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces."

Formed four years ago, ATST provides that "tangible support" to individual soldiers in a couple of ways. It encourages people to send letters, and collects and ships packages of practical, usable "goods from home" to them in the field.

Examples of the items that go into these packages from home are snacks and other non-perishable foods, personal hygiene items, and reading material.

The event is being sponsored by the Save Ardmore Coalition, and is the brainchild of member Ken Haskin of Wynnewood. In addition to supporting ATST's efforts, Haskin said the open house is also intended to support Ardmore's VFW post, so that it can continue to be an active resource for local soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as veterans of previous wars.

Haskin said three things prompted him to organize the event.

First, from the days when the VFW's building was a potential target for eminent domain in Lower Merion Township's Ardmore revitalization project, he got to know local members. Recently, he's seen that the numbers of members at the post have "been dwindling."

Next, he met Joe Natale, a resident of nearby Havertown. Natale launched American Troop Support Team four years ago, after meeting a soldier on leave, Army Staff Sgt. Peter Torruella of Brooklyn.

As Natale describes it on ATST's Web site, Torruella, a career soldier who lost six family members on September 11, was on leave at the time, but was soon headed back to Iraq.

Impressed by his dedication, Natale asked him what people could do to help individual troops. He said what would make a difference is receiving letters or packages from home.

He now has 100 volunteers helping in the effort, and has shipped packages totaling 18,000 pounds, Haskin said.

Finally, he happened to talk to a returning veteran, who told him he had "felt forgotten" while he was overseas. "I thought, why not do what Joe does, and turn it into a real event?"

"People have different views about the war," Haskin said. "But these people [service members] are in the middle of it."

"This is not something to be divided around," he said. "These are good people."

Haskin said there are several ways local residents can support the effort. They can bring items to donate to the VFW post during First Friday. If you can't attend that night, you can drop items off between now and Sept. 5. Haskin said items such as baby wipes, deodorant, snacks and non-perishable food, books and CDs are particularly needed.

Financial contributions to purchase items and pay for shipping are also welcomed.

In addition, to bolster the 75-year-old local post, Ardmore's VFW is offering new social memberships for $20 for a year. (Applicants must show proof of legal age to join.)

Half of the proceeds will go to restoring and supporting the post, and half will go to ATST.

Haskin hopes to bring in some special guests for the event. Local elected officials have said they will attend. Natale will also participate. "We hope to do more events if this is successful," Haskin said.

For more information about American Troop Support Team, visit www.americantroopsupportteam.com.

Information and updates on the Ardmore VFW event will be available at www.SaveArdmoreCoalition.org

Hey! Thanks to all of you out there in the blogosphere, the momentum is building on this event! Thanks! Now, here is an update from American Troop Support Team as to ordinary items that they need for care packages - which you can bring to Ardmore VFW on September 5th!

Here is the list:

A T & T phone cards
disposable camera
Avon skin so soft bug repellent
DVDs
bandannas
eye drops
beef jerky
flashlight and batteries (M)
beef stick
foot powder
Betty Crocker Bowl Appetit meals
games
board games
granola bars
body lotion
hard candy
box of cheese crackers
hot sauce
box of pretzel rods
hydrocortisone anti-itch cram
breakfast bars
ibuprofen
bubblegum
insect repellent
Campbell's chunky chili
jigsaw puzzle
Campbell's Chunky Soup
large tuna fish in a pouch
Campbell's Select Soup
lip blm
can of doritos
manicure sets
can of doritos/cheetos
microwavable rice meals
can of peanuts
music cds
CANDY
peanut butter
candy bars
peanuts
cheetos
powdered drink mix - individual servings
chef boy r dee raviolis
powdered gatorade
chess set
power bars
chewing gum
pretzel rods
chicken chow mein microwavable meals
pretzels
chicken salad kit - lunch to go
pringles
cigarettes
ramon noodles
coffee creamer
razors
coffee sweetner
religious medals
coloring books
rice krispie treats
crayons
salt and pepper
dental floss
shaving cream
deodorant
silly string
Dinty Moore Beef Stew
slim jims
sweat proof sunscreen

See article on event in this week's Main Line Life:

Posted on Tue, Aug 19, 2008
First Friday event will show support for the troops
By Cheryl Allison

To American troops serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, being able to stroll the main streets of their hometowns, run into a neighbor or two, and stop to hear a band play at an outdoor mini-concert would probably sound like a dream.Though it can't happen for them just yet, Main Line residents who visit next month's First Friday Main Line event in Ardmore can keep those servicemen and women in their thoughts through a special program.

On Sept. 5 from 5 to 9 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 843 on Lancaster Avenue will host an event for the American Troop Support Team, a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to providing "tangible support to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces."

Formed four years ago, ATST provides that "tangible support" to individual soldiers in a couple of ways. It encourages people to send letters, and collects and ships packages of practical, usable "goods from home" to them in the field.

Examples of the items that go into these packages from home are snacks and other non-perishable foods, personal hygiene items, and reading material.

The event is being sponsored by the Save Ardmore Coalition, and is the brainchild of member Ken Haskin of Wynnewood. In addition to supporting ATST's efforts, Haskin said the open house is also intended to support Ardmore's VFW post, so that it can continue to be an active resource for local soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as veterans of previous wars.

Haskin said three things prompted him to organize the event.

First, from the days when the VFW's building was a potential target for eminent domain in Lower Merion Township's Ardmore revitalization project, he got to know local members. Recently, he's seen that the numbers of members at the post have "been dwindling."

Next, he met Joe Natale, a resident of nearby Havertown. Natale launched American Troop Support Team four years ago, after meeting a soldier on leave, Army Staff Sgt. Peter Torruella of Brooklyn.

As Natale describes it on ATST's Web site, Torruella, a career soldier who lost six family members on September 11, was on leave at the time, but was soon headed back to Iraq.

Impressed by his dedication, Natale asked him what people could do to help individual troops. He said what would make a difference is receiving letters or packages from home.

He now has 100 volunteers helping in the effort, and has shipped packages totaling 18,000 pounds, Haskin said.

Finally, he happened to talk to a returning veteran, who told him he had "felt forgotten" while he was overseas. "I thought, why not do what Joe does, and turn it into a real event?"

"People have different views about the war," Haskin said. "But these people [service members] are in the middle of it."

"This is not something to be divided around," he said. "These are good people."

Haskin said there are several ways local residents can support the effort. They can bring items to donate to the VFW post during First Friday. If you can't attend that night, you can drop items off between now and Sept. 5. Haskin said items such as baby wipes, deodorant, snacks and non-perishable food, books and CDs are particularly needed.

Financial contributions to purchase items and pay for shipping are also welcomed.

In addition, to bolster the 75-year-old local post, Ardmore's VFW is offering new social memberships for $20 for a year. (Applicants must show proof of legal age to join.)

Half of the proceeds will go to restoring and supporting the post, and half will go to ATST.

Haskin hopes to bring in some special guests for the event. Local elected officials have said they will attend. Natale will also participate. "We hope to do more events if this is successful," Haskin said.

For more information about American Troop Support Team, visit www.americantroopsupportteam.com.

Information and updates on the Ardmore VFW event will be available at www.SaveArdmoreCoalition.org.

I downcased the letters on the title, because quite frankly, it made my eyes bleed.

How many times must I say this? Stop using all caps. It is considered SHOUTING. Just don't do it. It also makes us look amateurish and like a bunch of kids. I know 18-year olds who understand not to use all caps.