Dear Funnies Reader:

Every year on the day before Easter my family meets up with many other folks and visits the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (Boot Camp) here in San Diego. (This Project also happens at the Parris Island, SC Boot Camp.) We deliver patriotic fabric bags full of goodies to each of the sick and injured Marine recruits on base. Our goal is to bring cheer to these special recruits on Easter weekend and to show them how much we support them and stand behind their determination to become a United States Marine.

You can't believe what this does for these guys. They wake up that morning to what will most likely be just another boring day as they wait to heal and return to training or be sent home. When we show up with big smiles and hugs, well, the transformation is amazing.

Check out photos from our visit last Christmas...

Here are comments from recruits and their families about this project...

SO many of you were part of the Christmas project and - while I know that Easter is very early this year and it may seem like you JUST did this - we'd love to have you be part of this again!

Would you please help by collecting letters and/or drawings from children of all ages to go in the bags we give the recruits? The subject can be get well, patriotic, holiday wishes, or even a simple thank you for serving our county. It can be from schools, Sunday schools, clubs, and just your own kids. (Adults can send letters, too.)

You can also forward this email to others you think might be willing to participate.

Maybe your school, church or organization can make this a holiday project? Following are simple guidelines for the letters:

- Notes, letter, pictures and cards accepted.
- Salutation should be "Dear Recruit"
- Send all the letters/drawings in one package to an address below.
- NO personal return addresses.
- Mark the back of each note with a classroom sticker or stamp with the organization's address, if they desire possible responses from recruits.

Please mail your letters on or before Monday, March 3, 2008 to the address closest to you:

Marine Easter Letter Project
c/o The Averys
2403 West Sunnyside Ave
Visalia CA 93277

Marine Easter Letter Project
c/o Martha Philipps
Rt 6 Box 200
Bloomfield IN 47424

Marine Easter Letter Project
c/o Debra Collins
11 Glen Drive
Thorsby AL 35171

Thanks in advance for your support of our project. We can make the Christmas season just a little better for these recruits, who SO desire to serve our country.

Thanks!
Mikey

P.S. Also, we need books of stamps to give the recruits. You can mail those to any of the above addresses as well.