Aloha everyone! We have the coolest story to share with you.
In early 2017, South Carolina mom Gwen Pollard watched as her young son left to serve his country. With a mixture of pride and fear, she followed his journey as he was deployed overseas with the 101st Airborne Division. Although he was unable to give her details of his whereabouts, she knew he was in a dangerous place on a combat mission.
Stress levels were high, but one afternoon he had a little time off and emerged from his barracks in a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt, in full Southern Boy mode. The soldiers laughed, but many said they wished they had one too. The young man asked his Mom if she could send a care package over with a few shirts for his buddies. The laughter had helped them break through the tension, providing a lighthearted moment in a dark place.
Doing what any Mom would do, Gwen did her homework and learned there were approximately 300 soldiers in her son’s unit. How could she send shirts for some and not for others? Gwen started the phone chain, calling on her entire network of family, friends and neighbors to help her. Soon people were posting requests on social media and before she knew it, BAM! Gwen’s project had gone viral. Soon 300 shirts were packed and sent overseas, each with a handwritten thank you note tucked in the pocket of the shirt.
A special moment between a parent and an adult child launched a movement of sorts and Hawaiian Shirts For Deployed Soldiers was born. Gwen’s goal is to send 100,000 shirts overseas to our brave young men and women. Just a few weeks ago, Gwen passed the 51,000 mark. In addition to the shirts, packages often arrive on her doorstep with packing supplies, gifts, snacks and donations to help with shipping costs. There is a waiting list of officers who have requested shirts for their units. A few yards of cloth in bright colors and tropical patterns have brought so much joy and laughter to these young soldiers. Isn’t this just the best story?
The 5 O’Clock Phlock Parrot Head Club is proud to participate in this amazing program – this is right up our Parrot Head lifestyle alley, for sure. And now, we are incredibly excited to have GuadalaHarry’s in downtown Conroe as our partner in this project. On July 27th at 4 p.m. we’ll be collecting Hawaiian Shirts as we take over the upstairs dining room (and bar) at GuadalaHarry’s for our first ever “Christmas in July” Party. Entertainment will be provided by our friend and special guest, Florida music man John McDonald. John has just released his new Christmas CD, which is a joyous combination of reggae/island/trop rock. We’ll hear all the new music plus plenty of his non-Christmas tunes too, all in John’s signature “Floribbean Style”. There is no cover, and the full food and bar menu will be available upstairs for guests to wine and dine as we dance and party. This is a family friendly evening. We are requesting a donation of a minimum of $5.00 per person in the tip jar to help us pay John. We’re not a group with a lot of money…just a lot of heart!
Harry and Debbie are fully onboard and have given us space at the restaurant all month as a drop off spot for anyone who would like to donate shirts but can’t make the 27th party. Just look for the red sleigh and pink Christmas tree near the hostess stand – you can’t miss it! Extra kudos if the shirts you donate are Christmas Hawaiian Shirts, since this delivery will make its way overseas just as the holidays are approaching. As is tradition, we will tuck a thank you note into the pocket of each shirt which will include the story and pictures of our Christmas in July celebration in their honor, highlighting the generous spirit of our Conroe area community. Aloha and Fins Up!
Kris is President of The 5 O’Clock Phlock Parrot Head Club, the PHC of the Lake Conroe/Woodlands area. Email KrisCommService@gmail.com or text 713 825-0141. Follow the club on Facebook at www.facebook.com/5OClockPhlock. For more info, visit the website www.5oclockphlock.com
If the full content does not display, visit the article originally published on this site
