On April 30, in Baltimore, MD, a third Packing Party occurred in the city, due to the efforts of a dynamo named Germaine Leftridge.  Germaine's day job is President of GBL Sales, Inc, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland.  Her company creed is "every client deserves and will receive quality, professional, courteous service, without exception."  Need I say more?  The Sister Soldier Project is treated like one of her treasured clients.  Germaine is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.  Germaine first introduced us to Morgan State University and several Baltimore based women's organizations in March 2010, at the time packing and shipping 200 boxes. She next brought us to her church, the People's Community Church, which shipped off another 200 packages in October, 2010.

Finally, Germaine introduced the Project to the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc at Morgan State University. The sorority selected the Sister Soldier Project

as one of its 2011 public service efforts and, together with our friends at Morgan State, announced their intention to pack and ship a record 500 boxes at one packing party! After re-reading their email and double checking by phone that an extra zero had not been inadvertently added, I exclaimed "wonderful", hung up and said to myself, "we can do this,  "yes,  we can"......"how are we going to do this?"

It was clear that such a huge event required the collaboration of two hair care manufacturer sponsors. I turned to the firms that have supported the Project from its inception and have always-always-been there for us. The two Chicago based companies, friendly competitors that have come together before for the Sisters......Luster Products, Inc and Organic Root Stimulator. Germaine was indispensable, coordinating their involvement plus that of other vendors, which supplied personal care and toiletry items for the event.

Morgan State University selected its Calvin and Tina Tyler Ballroom as the site for the event; plenty of room, even for the eventual almost 200 people who participated in the actual packing.  The tag team of Delta Sigma Theta sorors, friends, Morgan State students and faculty plus other local organizations' volunteers, such as the YWCA, all performed brilliantly.  Their full-throttle energy, preparation, organization and coordination, critical for any event this large, contributed to a complete success, topped off by a nearby USPS location again coming to our doorstep.  WBFF Fox TV 45, Baltimore, attended the event and aired its coverage that Saturday evening. 

Much appreciation to Lynn Middleton and Micheline Dean, amazing coordinators for the event itself.  Our biggest concern is always the fundraising for postage money, now $10.95  per box (still a bargain).        Whenever I spoke to Lynn about the funds, her answer was simply " I've got this, " and she did.  Lynn also secured the most adorable letters from school children around the country.  She collected well over 500, so I brought the remaining letters back to enclose in packages we ship from our home base. We have already heard back from some soldiers, how special it is to  hear from the young people.  I ran out of titles for Micheline, she was major domo of Shipping and Receiving, Event Manager, Banquet Manager, she was everywhere!  Thanks to them and to all of you!