Operation XBox was completed by early April 2008.
We've kept the project active because, when possible, we still send XBoxes to adoptees along with a variety of XBox games, many of those through the generous courtesy of our Microsoft XBox partners. XBox is a way for our troops to relax and bring a little fun and 'normalcy' to their stressful lives. We hope to provide XBoxes to the 50th IBCT through our Operation NJ Home Front and the generosity of our corporate benefactors, Special Friends and supporters.
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FLASH UPDATE: 3-22-08 / We know 70 of 81 Xbox 360s have arrived - - So far the following units have received Xbox 360s -- the IBU-22, the 2-183rd CAV and the EMF in Kuwait; the 63rd ESB, Mayor Cell at Camp Anaconda, Balad Air Force Theater Hospital, the 200th INF, the 31st CSH at TIFs in Baghdad and also Southern Iraq, 86th CSH (Mosul), TF 62 Med, the 2-12th FA, the 412th CA, the 86th CSH at Ibn Sina Hospital, the 332d Exp Communications Sq, TF 1/7 and 3/23 H&S Marines and Balad K-9 unit in Iraq; the 503rd INF and Craig Joint Theater Hospital in Afghanistan, the 376th AEW in Kyrgyzstan and the 607th MMS in Korea.
Rock Band UPDATE: 2-27-08 / two Rock Bands have landed in Iraq at the 63rd ESB, three at the Mayor Cell at LSA Anaconda, two more with the 2-12th FA and 1/7 Marines and one at Balad AF Theater Hospital.
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View the Slide Show below:
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What it Means to Them! -- (we thought we would share with you the impact these X-Boxes are making on our troops!)
Here at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, we take care of wounded soldiers serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The soldiers stay here until they are able to fly back to the States to receive ongoing medical care. We received the X-Box and games a few days ago and can't wait to get it set up. Your gift will touch many lives and be a much needed distraction. We are hoping to get it set up with a portable TV so those who are unable to get out of bed can join in the fun. On behalf of our wounded soldiers, we wanted to say thank you so much. Thank you for your support and generosity. Staff of 8D, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, mailed 12 March, 2008
We have been using the Rock Band almost every day. It is a real popular game here, and the guys are just lining up for it. In fact, we have worn out the foot peddle for the drums the other night; we are currently trying to find a replacement. Last night was our Organizational Day/St Patty day party. We had BBQ, food, drinks (i.e. sodas, and near beer) as well as tug-o-war, Ambulance pull, dancing music, Halo, and Rock band. I brought in my gear and the company brought in one of the ones that you sent us and it was rocking! To be honest, I don't know which one was more popular. I was able to link another XB3 and we had two screens going, the Rock band was in the other room and they played as long as we did. I am sure that everybody had fun last night; they kicked the DJ out of the room so that they could play RB. Thanks for everything that you are all doing! SSG Matthew L., 86th CSH, Ibn Sina Hosp, Iraq, 3-17-08
On behalf of all Sailors and Soldiers assigned to Expeditionary Medical Facility Kuwait, I would like to thank you for the three "X-box" game consoles that you have provided. Your immense efforts and dedication helped support my crew and increased morale during this arduous duty in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM/OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Sincerely, K. D. Moore, Captain, U.S. Navy, Commanding Officer, mailed 25 Feb 08
Adopt a Soldier Platoon, a few days ago my platoon received the X-Box 360 Pro kit and Guitar Hero set from your organization. This was such an amazing display of support and you really went above and beyond to take care of soldiers overseas. I want to personally thank you for what you have done for us. Our soldiers have already been enjoying healthy competition in Madden 08 and Fight Night. As you may already know, my platoon is located at Camp Delta and provides communications support to our sustainment forces here. Camp Delta does not have the amenities and life support of some of the larger FOBs so the opportunity to have an X-Box in our recreation room means a lot to us. I have attached pictures that I took of some of our soldiers when the package came. Thanks again for the support. 1LT Kyle McN., Iraq, 3-15-08
Good news, the X Box arrived! Thank you and your Platoon of supporters. Even though we don't have the bandwith to compete against others in IZ and home, I'm sure we'll enjoy it. Personally, I don't have the slightest idea how to turn one of these things on, but I know my soldiers do! They'll get a lot of enjoyment out of it. These guys have cable running all over the tents to play against each other! We all send our thanks and gratitude. SSG Scott S., Iraq 3-3-08
My sincere gratitude to you and your entire team for the huge undertaking in providing my Soldiers with the X-BOX consoles/games/guitar hero, and Rock Band set-up. Needless to say - they are awesome - my guys love it. The old man hasn't let it rip yet - but I will! We were able to position the consoles at 4 of our Combat Outposts, and 2 in Soldier Morale Welfare, and Recreation tents on the Forward Operating Base we reside on. On behalf of my entire battalion - please accept our thanks and appreciation for your efforts. I have two other Companies attached to my battalion, and they are enjoying the games too - and are included in the thanks. Please extend to the entire group that they have contributed immensely to the support of our great troopers. We sincerely appreciate their generosity. Attached are a few photos of some of my guys getting the hang of it! LTC John D., 2-12th FA, Iraq, 3-1-08
I passed one of the machines to the maintenance crew. The ones who keep our lights on and roof over our heads. They spend their days in grease and dust and rarely get the creature comforts that we medics take for granted inside our nice clean hospital. Funny thing about the Rock Band games. I never thought they'd make as big an impact as they did. They are the "new karaoke" in that we are already forming teams for competitions in the hospital. This week is logistics vs. radiology. The winner will play the laboratory. We keep one unit set up in a conference room where practice sessions are now a nightly event. The other one is used as you would a karaoke machine. It is set aside to use for social functions (parties, etc). You guys hit a home run. As always, thanks for what you do! Capt. Scott M., Balad Air Force Theater Hospital, 2-27-08
I received the Xbox 360 today, Feb 24th at Camp Taji. We are all very thankful for your work in getting the system, the games, and the guitar to us here. This Xbox will definitely provide me and other soldiers here with a much-needed diversion. We're redeploying in a couple of months but will donate the Xbox to our replacing unit, who I believe will appreciate it as much as we did. Thanks again! CPT Kevin C, Iraq, 2-24-08
Message from from one our adoptees (and a colleague at Unilever): "He said they got the X-boxes yesterday. They were so pumped! He said everyone asked him to say “THANKS!” from WO Danny L, Iraq, 2-20-08
The last X-Box showed up today! It wil go to our facility maintenance guys. These are the folks that keep the lights on and the water clean. Lots of work, but little recognition. Thanks again! Yes, I still intend to send you more photos. From Capt. Scott M., Balad AF Theater Hospital, Balad AB, Iraq 2-18-08
I am the commander of the 332 Expeditionary Communications Squadron based at Balad AB, Iraq. Myself and my squadron are most appreciative for the Xbox 360 that LTC M (63rd ESB) presented to us yesterday. The troops in my squadron are already playing on it...what a tremendous morale boost! It is folks like you that make all of us proud to serve our great country and proud to spread the inalienable right of freedom through far away lands like Iraq. I've been stationed in Iraq since July 07. We provide all command, control communications, and computer services for the Air Force population in Iraq. Also, we work with LTC M. to create Iraq's first joint communications network...Army and Air Force working together doing great things. Thank you for the XB360! We'll send some pictures of the squadron your way within the next few days. Hooah, Lt. Col. Don F., Balad AB, Iraq, 2-16-08
Great news: four of the X-boxes just arrived this morning! I'll be distributing them to the sections today (a couple more will go to our Intensive Care Wards and a couple will go to our MWR), then I'll engage our Public Affairs Officer to get some good pictures of Soldiers playing. Thanks again for everything, CPT Jon M., 86th CSH at Ibn Sina, 2-16-08
We got the two x-boxes in two or three days ago - they have them set up and are playing on them about 24-7! We have a 52" plasma in our clubhouse and I bought a 360 when they first came out but it broke -- wouldnt play games anymore so the Joes are more than excited, as am I. They are dumbfounded to say the least. Most of my guys were "in the fight" last time we were here so it is such a huge change this time, the support, the living conditions, just amazing how much better it is. Thank you again! 1SG Paul W, Charlie Co., 412th CA Bn, Iraq, 2-16-08
TF Mosul, 86th CSH got the two X-Boxes in perfect condition (we have not yet set them up to check if there was any internal damage). Please thank your contributors for sending our Soldiers such generous gifts. I will send you pictures once they are up and running. Thanks, CPT Hannah B., 2-12-08
We have gone just over 4 weeks without mail ---- thank goodness the aircraft showed up today. The boys were so excited when they opened up the Unilever package with the 2 X-box's. LOL ... Should have seen their reactions, needless to say, I think HALO 3 may be the new training video. Words do not express the gratitude and appreciation we have for your support. Thank you. from MSG Brian W., 503rd INF (Airborne), Afghanistan, 2-10-08
(From a Medic's Dad just before Christmas) - Ryan called me last night and told me he just got the XBox 360 that you sent him ... I have to say it was a big hit with him and the guys in his team. Don't ask me how they did it, or how they work it, but somehow they've contrived to run cables between a bunch of the little trailers that they live in (they moved into trailers about a month ago from the one huge barracks that 250 of them shared) so they can all play against each other from the comfort of their own trailer. I'm sure I don't want to know where they got all that cable from! :) I can honestly say it was the biggest surprise the guys got for Christmas (yes, Ryan did say he was sharing it with the other guys). :)
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Additional Sponsors (listed alphabetically):
Bestfoods Alumni
Electronic Arts (EA)
I.T. Evolution LLC
Jaminco Management
Paragon Federal Credit Union
Rodney Company N.V.
The Columbians
Unilever Federal Credit Union
Unilever Suffolk, VA, Plant
Unilever Supply Chain
Unilever Trumbull TEAM
and a host of generous individuals who have donated towards this project (for space considerations, we list those donating $200 or more but there are so many more!), including: Holmes B. and Susanne S.; John and Joan C.; Fred D.; James D.; John D.; Tom D.; COL. Lenore E.; Jeff E.; Greg and Jo Anne G. and friends; Ronald G.; William G.; Harold H.; Nina H.; Alan and Mary-Edna K.; Lee Ann and Dave L.; The L-C Family; Dennis M.; Rainer and Joy M.; Linda P.; Michael, Mary Ann and Paul P.; Cathy and Fred S.; William S.; John T.; Jan v A.; Allan and Joan V. and George and Bambi Z.
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X-Box Units Pledged to date: 81 (as of 2-29-08)
We've surpassed our ultimate goal!!! All Xboxes have been shipped (see below). Guitar Hero3 games have also been shipped, courtesy of Activision! This VERY popular game will bring hours of joy, relaxation and time away from stress to our troops. Thank you Tom and Activision and thank you Ben for helping put this together for us. 20 Rock Bands have also been shipped. Thank you Supporters for an incredible project this is turning out to be for our troops!!!
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| Soldiers from the 63d Expeditionary Signal Battalion's HHC on Camp Anaconda at Balad AB in Iraq receive their X-Box package. |
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| Soldiers from 503rd INF (Airborne) display their X-Box goodies received 2-10-08. |
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| Soldiers from A Company, 63rd ESB stationed in Tikrit try out Halo3 out of the box. |
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| Soldiers from the 200th INF at the Baghdad TIF enjoy their X-Box. These soldiers have a very difficult job to do and it's great to see them enjoying themselves! |
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| Biomedical technicians at Balad Air Force Theater Hospital enjoy some relaxing with an X-Box 360 after a long duty day. This is what our Operation is all about - relaxation and de-stressing for our Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines. |
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Operation Xbox 360 (2-10-08 Update)
We sent Xbox 360 consoles and games to our hospitals and larger units that we support. The Xboxes will provide recreation for the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen and wounded and recuperating men and women and also give some of our troops the opportunity to play games with their kids or family and friends at home, since the game is interactive and can be played on the Internet. These games will provide some "normalcy" to our brave Americans' lives and allow them to forget the stress of war environments.
One Xbox Unit comprises: a 360 Pro console, 2 headsets and 2 wireless controllers and five games including Halo3, Guitar Hero3 (courtesy of Activision), Madden Football NFL 08, Fight Night Round 3 and Gotham Racing 4. Our cost per unit is $600. Guitar Hero3 games are a donation from Activision, Inc., and we thank Tom and the entire Activision team for its extremely generous donation. We thank the Xbox Entertainment team from Microsoft and the great folks at Pioneer Distributing for their special efforts to help us with donations, special pricing and logistics to get all the Xboxes to our troops. Thank you Peter, Christian, Andy and Ben for all your efforts and thanks Amy for the connection!
2-10-08: The Xboxes are landing now and we're starting to hear a steady stream of units getting their Xboxes. Some have reported partial shipments and we're hoping that these Xboxes will surface properly. If you'd like to see the progression of events, start from the bottom of this page and read on... Thanks all for your support on this wonderful project to support our troops. These devices will give our troops a great diversion from their stressful lives!
2-3-08: All Xboxes were shipped as of Tuesday, January 29th. All Guitar Hero3 games were shipped as of January 31.
1-11-08: The good folks at Pioneer are over their holiday rush and have been working hard to get our bundles together. They will be shipping beginning Monday, January 14. Thank you Pioneer and thank you Xbox Entertainment team!
12-30-07: A neighbor and friend asked his family to donate to Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon this Christmas and the result was more money for our Xbox 360 campaign. Thanks to Mary Ann, Michael and Paul P. That's the spirit of Christmas!
12-22-07: Just when things were quieting down for the holidays, we're taking our "leave" to rest and get re-charged for the New Year, we go to Post Office Box 1111 and what do we find but a bunch of checks from a family for another Xbox and a list of 10 names of those responsible. They included a 9 and 10-year old, two 12's and a 15-year old, all who contributed. Thanks to Mets Greg and the G. family and friends for making this happen!
11-27-07: What a day for our soldiers and for AaSP, this 27th of November! Today we received a wonderful pledge from our Unilever Suffolk, VA, plant. They are contributing three more Xboxes! (thank you Ted and Ellie for your efforts!) And sometime after that we received huge news from our good friends at Atlas Air. This Fall, Atlas Air held a charity golfing event and raised substantial monies for three charities, one of which was Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon! So it was extraordinary when we learned that from this charity event, Atlas Air will be contributing $10,000 towards our Xbox 360 Project, putting us over the top to surpass our stretch target of 75 Xbox 360 units. In fact, we will be able to add to the accessories and games (we'll keep that under our hats for the time being!) for our troops! (thank you John and the entire leadership team at Atlas Air for your generosity and caring -- and thanks to Lara, Terry and Steve for this wonderful connection!).
11-26-07: The Columbians organization today approved a pledge of $2,000 for Xboxes! This is a continuing support by The Columbians Italian-American organization that has supported other projects for our soldiers. Thank you to The Columbians for your continued support!
11-22-07: On Thanksgiving week, Operation Xbox 360 picked up pledges and contributions for three more Xboxes. A group of Unilever employees contributed two and Paragon Federal Credit Union's "Fun Day" activities netted one. Thanks all!
11-4-07: Collections from our Unilever colleagues at the Trumbull, CT, campus have yielded nearly $1,000 -- enough to buy two Xbox 360 units. The Xboxes are for the 376th AEW and IBU-22 CT units AaSP supports. Thanks to all the generous Unilever folks in Trumbull, CT, who contributed to this worthy cause!
10-31-07: The Unilever Ambassadors went over $10,000 in donations to the Xbox 360 project today with additional donations from its members. This is an incredibly awesome demonstration of generosity by retirees and 25+ year veterans of Unilever and its predecessor companies. This will allow us to buy 16 Xbox 360s and accessories and games as well. Thank you Ambassadors!! Thank you!!
10-30-07: The wonderful people at Jaminco Management and Rodney Company N.V. pledged five Xboxes today. Jaminco has been a supporter of AaSP since 2006 and we are very grateful for their continued support. Thanks Jim, Theodate and Jaminco leadership for your patriotism and support of our troops and thanks Lara for making this important connection for us.
10-28-07: The Unilever Ambassadors continue to demonstrate their incredible generosity. Individual Unilever retirees and 25+ year veterans have now donated enough money to enable us to buy 14 X-Box 360s plus additional accessories and games to provide our troops with some relief from their daily stress in war zones and have some "normalcy" in their lives. Their contribution and the extraordinary pledge from the Pepsi Lipton Partnership (jointly owned by Unilever and PepsiCo) is making a large part of this project happen! Thank you Ambassadors, thank you Pepsi Lipton Partnership and thank you Unilever.
10-18-07 Update: This has been a heck of a great week for our troops and for AaSP. Today we learned from our Special Friends at the Unilever Ambassadors Club that they will be pledging the equivalent of seven X-Boxes and providing a significant donation for accessories and games to Operation X-Box 360! The incredibly generous retirees and 25-yr Unilever veterans have done it again! Thanks to the Ambassadors leadership and to all those wonderful folks who contributed to this exciting project!! Yesterday, the Unilever Federal Credit Union contributed the equivalent of two X-Box 360 units! Thanks Chuck and UFCU!
10-16-07 Update: We just received a VERY SIGNIFICANT pledge today from the Pepsi Lipton Partnership. Pepsi Lipton has supported AaSP since the Holiday DVD project and was a significant contributor to that project. Well, PLP is going to donate 20 X-Box 360 units and significant funds to buy extra games for each of the 75 units we'd like to ship. This is an incredible donation and it should be heartening to not only our supporters but all Americans that there are large organizations out there who not only care about our soldiers in harms way but are willing to do something about it! A HUGE thank you to Pepsi Lipton Partnership for this contribution! Thank you Joe and Stacy and the entire PLP leadership!!
Also, we learned that Electronic Arts (EA.com) will donate X-Box 360 games from their library for our project. We thank EA for their generosity and their commitment to our soldiers. We understand EA is heavily involved supporting our brave men and women overseas and we thank them for that!! Thanks Julie, Scott and Ben for making this happen.
Our original aim was to raise enough money to send between 50 and 75 units -- each unit consisting of game console, two controllers and several games and two headsets. Estimated cost for each unit is approximately $500. We've just about reached our first target and our dream target is now within reach!
We are asking for support from our corporate sponsors, special friends and supporters to help us meet or exceed our goal. Won't you please join Pepsi Lipton, the Unilever Ambassadors and the Unilever Federal Credit Union and help make the lives of these brave American men and women, and injured men and women, more normal. Please help us bring some special joy to our troops this holiday season.
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