from the original thread :
http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/forum/forum.cfm?action=list&forumID=6&messageDisplay=0000000022208 

REPOST – from a previous thread that just got to long ?

OPERATION "FROM THE HEART" NEEDS YOUR HELP

WE NEED LETTERS, LETTERS AND MORE LETTERS!

SUPPLIES, CIGARS, MAGAZINES, FOOD ITEMS ALSO WELCOME!

www.opfth.com was started last year (about april 2004) by Tony (Cav) and I to help send care packages to the Marines fighting in Iraq. It was in direct response to a BOTL here (1st sgt smoke) who was deployed. He has since returned to the states and is actively involved in the project now. What first started as a group of buds sending 1 or 2 boxes has expanded greatly in the resent months. We now support approx 4-5 units a month and seem to find more and more as we go.

we're collecting "stuff" to send over (cigars, eye drops, bandanas, etc.), and any and all donations are greatly appreciated. the goal for now is to get at least one big box sent over per month until they come home.

however, the BIGGEST part of this effort is in the human connection -- we need LETTERS, CARDS, NOTES to send over to distribute to these guys.

if you can, get others involved in writing letters as well -- sit your family down one evening and write a couple letters. ask your colleagues and co-workers to write letters. everything counts and is needed and appreciated.

i know there are a lot of "for the troops" collections going on. each and every one of them is very valuable, and i encourage everyone to give something to at least one of them -- doesn't matter which one.

but even if you don't have material "stuff" to send, PLEASE at least write a letter to go out with the OpFTH packages. if nothing else, email your message to me, and i will reformat it as a letter, envelope it individually and send it along with the outgoing packages.

thanks to those who are already taking part in this, and here's hoping more will join us in this effort. Please take a second to check out our website at www.opfth.com and our forums links there to check on the status of units, see updates and pictures of the troops and our care packages as they leave.

SEMPER FI!

We currently have 3 Shipping offices you can send your donations to :

Midwest Operations – Bill Schmidt (schmitty22) smitty at opfth.com

Southern Operations- Michael Ladd (mladd) mladd at opfth.com

Western Operations- Keith Knof (Knof) keith at opfth.com

Contact us directly or personal message us at our site forums boards and we can get you details~




“Smitty”

For those of you who know me only as bullwyf, I'm firstsgtsmoke. Operation From the Heart was and still is the most organized and successfull grass roots effort to take care of the troops I have ever witnessed. While we were in Fallujah Iraq from Feb-Sept of 2004 we received countless packages containing many quality of life items, which made that nasty little corner of the world more tolerable.
As you all know there simply is nothing quite as relaxing as a good smoke with fellow BOTL. Thanks to not only those who started the organization but also to all of you who contributed our spirits were always high and we had the comfort of knowledge that our patriotic BOTL supported us in our efforts to make Iraq a Democracy. As you all know there is much work to be done and many young men and women who put their lives on the line every day so that we can enjoy the blanket of freedom they provide. Your continued support is much needed and appreciated by all those who serve. Thank you all and God Bless you.
Michael

I sent out a package to Keith today with some Maxim magazines (older ones but still fun to read) and a few cigars. Also threw in some nice scrap pieces of Spanish cedar some one can use for a homemade humidor over there.
John L

As we continue this project, lets not forget our other founder, Tony Cavallo, who was in an unfortunate auto accident, and since has been unable to help in the project he started with Bill. Besides the troops, I'd like to see everyone also keep prayers coming for Tony and his recovery.

FYI for anyone in question, the Western Officer's name is Keith Nofield (Knof), LOL!

hey bill I sent mail to your opfth address get back to me thanks Ron.

BTT

With a question.

Any of you use the prepaid Priority boxes you can buy from the USPS site? Flat rate, unlimited weight.

I'm thinking of getting a few for the non cigar stuff (read heavy)

yes yes yes and yes.

yes I typo'd keiths name (funny - sorry, someone rushed me in posting this today :P~~~~)

yes - bull is 1st sgt! and our first adopted init we supported.

yes - Tony was the original founder and mastermind of this vision and I just helped get it rolling in the right direction and he greatly needs our prayers still

yes - i got your email and replied.

yes, i have a headache and need sleep....

:)

sorry for long mispelled posts and names lost in translation and leaving some details out . I need a vacation! when is cigarfest again 🙂

And YES you had that much needed cigar we talked about yesterday, heheheeeee!

Oh, don't forget the Yes that this re-post is great!

Yes you, Bill, do a lot!

i work 50hrs a week, coach 3 basketball teams right now all at once and have 2 kids. oh and help out running and organizing and shipping for OpFTH -

its a circus around me lately! I am lucky to remember to put on pants in the morning......... OH CRAP! i forgot pants....

/runs

TMI

^^^^

Received Jdllizard package yesterday and I must send him a huge Thank You!!! Two large bags of cigars and a stack of Maxim magazines, plus some scrap pieces of cedar for desert humi's.

Thanks John and look for another thread at www.opfth.com

Glad they went to a good cause. I hope they arrived safe and sound.
John L

They arrived in great condition, and BTW those other three cigars were uncalled for, heheheee. Now I have your addy too!!!

ok who is Earl D again? just got a couple boxes for OpFTH

Yahooie Kablooie....just got a nice bag of sticks for the troops from Mike Fiorino. Mike is a repeat OpFTH donation BOTL. Thanks Mike...some very nice sticks for the Marines!!

Simper Fi
Michael Ladd

earl would be cigarprimate........

k thanks!!! his second donation to the cause arrived and I will be posting on the opfth site. Thanks!

"Threadjack On"

Mike Fiorino??? Mike by chance are you from Illinois?? I worked with a Mike Fiorino (last name spelled something simular possibly??) last heard moved to So. Illinois???
If so shoot me an email usahog(at)hotmail(dot)com
TIA
Russ (Hog)

"Threadjack Off"

Sorry ya'll, carry on!!!

Hog

6 packages just left midwest. 3 for alpha company and 3 for "special" units (smoke bombs mainly). Pictures and details at the OpFTH forums board.

/salute those that donated to the cause this time ... there were many!