Thank you!

Remember how we made lemonade out of lemons? Well, here's an update...

Since that blog post and with the help from friends, family and organizations such as Supplies for Soldiers, Operation: Action Pack, Help A Service Member Out, and Armed Forces YMCA, we have mailed over 30,000 packs of Action Wipes to Military personnel serving our country in Iraq and over 5,000 to non-profit organizations in the U.S.!! (It gives me goosebumps every time I think about it.)

We have received numerous letters, emails and tweets from soldiers thanking us for the donation, but really, it is we that are grateful. This was a minuscule act in relation to what they go through everyday to protect our country and our freedom. Our hearts, prayers and thanks go out to them.

Having received permission, I'd like to share a couple letters with you...

Was On Patrol & Visited A Village. The Local Sheik Said That There Was A Man W/ Burns All Over His Body So I Went & Checked It Out. Since I'm The C.O.'s Personal Security & Personal Medic. The C.O. Asked Me If I Can Help Him. His Story Is He Got Burned Working W/Asphalt. I Figured He Was Planting An IED/EFP. But I Gave Him The Benefit Of The Doubt. So I Started By Irrigating His Burns. Then I Needed Something To Scrub It Down. The Only Thing I Had Were Action Wipes! So I Used Those. Then Applied Cream To Heal His Burns. Who'd A Thought I'd Be Using Em To Treat A Burn? Can't Leave The Wire W/Out A Few Action Wipes In My Pocket! Combat Tested & Approved! - R.C. Kirkuk, Iraq

Martha van Inwegen - I apologize for this letter taking so long. My name is Sgt. Simon Adam Martin. I believe my friend Jordan Cole gave you my address here in Iraq and I received your Action Wipes. First let me tell you that your product is an excellent contribution to the field gear carried by soldiers. It is most beneficial for those men who are not provided the luxury of a shower. Also as a former US Army Ranger, I know that this product would be most beneficial to the Warriors who spend much time in Direct Action. With you permission, I would like to share some of the wipes you sent me with my comrades and offer them some information about your product.

Next let me say how nice it is that your towels are reusable which seems to coincide with the environmental approach of your company. As a student of Landscape Architecture, in my civilian life, I appreciate any approach toward a more sustainable product or process. Finally let me say how appreciative I am of your consideration for me and my fellow soldiers. It is so special to have companies, regardless of political views that are supportive and considerate of the men and women who leave their lives, families, and friends behind to support the cause of freedom.

From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank you for your help, your product, your support, your thoughts and your prayers. - Adam Martin, S.

Let's Make Lemonade

As many of you know, I've been very excited about the launch of our new single packs. We have spent weeks and weeks working through the package design, tweaking the formula so that it's just right, approving samples and eagerly waiting while the packs were printed and filled.

So you can imagine my excitement when UPS delivered boxes filled with the new singles last Tuesday, May 26. The delivery was well timed too as the existing inventory of multi-packs is quickly dwindling. I was so excited that I asked my UPS man to open one of the boxes right away so that he could see the fruit of my labor and gush with me as to what a great product I had created. I was like a little kid at Christmas, holding my breath as he slowly cut through the tape.

With eyes big as buttons, I saw a glimpse of the beautiful orange color and blue swoosh upon shiny white packs. But as I reached in and held them in my hands, my big button eyes quickly turned into saucers! My excitement was extinguished and disappointment quickly set in. This was not the packaging material I had approved!

As the UPS man and I began testing them, we noted that the scent was spot on, the foaming action and wetness was right - but something else was off. I then realized that the fabric was not quite the same weight as my standard wipes. As tears started rolling down my face, all I could say was "how could this have happened"? After all, I was at the factory when we created the first run of single packs (the plain packs created for teams, clubs and companies wanting to co-brand the wipes.) The only thing that was suppose to change with the second run was the printing on the packs.

While they are beautiful and work just as I intended, they are not what I promised you or the retailers and distributors that had received samples.

Needless to say, I quickly called my manufacturer and advised them of the situation and we immediately arranged a face to face meeting to discuss how to rectify it. (The great thing about working with U.S. companies, aside from keeping the money here and folks employed, is that I can meet with them as needed.) Having met this past Friday, I'm happy to report that we are working to correct the packaging within the next couple of weeks.

So this is where we turn those lemons into lemonade...

I now have thousands of single packs that I can not put into retail stores, though they still have the same great Action Wipes formula, same big-size wipe, same refreshing scent and clean feeling. So, here is what we are going to do - we are donating the wipes to our military troops! All I'm asking is for help with the shipping fees. The U.S. Postal Service has a special flat rate fee of $10.95 for boxes sent to an APO/FPO address and a flat rate of $10.35 for boxes sent to a U.S. base address. These boxes will hold about 100 single pack wipes each - enough to share with others.

So, If you have a loved one or a friend serving our country and would like to send them some of these Action Wipes, ORDER NOW. I can guarantee you that these will go fast, so put your order in right away, and please, let other military families know about it too.

If you're a non-profit with an upcoming outdoor or athletic event, contact me right away and we'll do our best to help you too!

The Big Sand Box

Since our launch at the Wildflower Triathlon this past May, we have received hundreds of inquiries, comments and stories about Action Wipes. Many have moved me and even brought me to tears. Tears of joy, compassion and hope - hope that our war will end soon. Here is an email thread as a result of an order placed through our website from Iraq. It's long, but please keep reading to the end, it's touching. I've removed my friend's name as I do not wish to divulge it. This is a promise I make to anyone that writes to us. Please keep our men and women in the service in your thoughts...

-----Original Message-----
From: Martha Van Inwegen
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2008 12:30 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Hi XXXX, I'm not sure if you got my former email, so I went ahead and shipped your order via Priority Mail. I think you'll be happy with the added "samples".

Thank you again for checking us out and please, let other's know about them should you find them useful. If not, send them back and we'll refund your money! If you get a chance, drop me an email after you've tried them and let me know what you think, I would really appreciate it.

Oh, your Priority tracking number is: xxxxx

Warmly,
Martha Van Inwegen

-----Original Message-----
From: XXXX@bdab.afcent.af.mil
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 9:21 PM
To: martha@lifeelements.com
Subject: RE: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Martha,

Sorry that I did not respond to you earlier -- I am currently out of country and the time difference makes communication a little tricky.
I'm actually having the wipes sent to my wife for her to receive and then send to me.

Thank you so much for pushing the order out despite my email neglect . I look forward to the spray samples!

Very Respectfully,

XXXX, 1st Lt, USAF

-----Original Message-----
From: Martha Van Inwegen
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2008 7:45 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Travis! Are you deployed or just traveling? Let me know...

M.

-----Original Message-----
From:

Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:41:00
To:
Subject: RE: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Yes, I am deployed -- I work Air Force logistics in Baghdad. I support the TAC-Ps here in Iraq (TACPs, or Tactical Air Control Party, are the Air Force guys embedded with the Army; their job is to direct and control all air-to-ground aircraft munitions).

That's my two cents...I've been here for 4.5 months with only 1.5 remaining (not bad considering the Army's 15 month tours).

Thanks for such great customer service!

Respectfully,

XXXXX, 1st Lt, USAF

From: martha@lifeelements.com
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2008 8:55 AM
To: XXXXX
Subject: Re: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

I'll send you more wipes! Rather than have your wife pay for the shipping, send me the address so I can ship it directly.

And thank YOU for being out there for us! BTW, my father-in-law is a retired general from the AF :-)

Send me the address and good night.

M.

-----Original Message-----
From: XXXX@bdab.afcent.af.mil
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2008 7:27 AM
To: martha@lifeelements.com
Subject: RE: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Wow, that would be great -- thank you so much. Please include a handful of business cards/brochures as I will be sure to share the wipes with those that need it most (a Marine friend of mine is deployed to Fallujah -- I will definitely share with them).

Below is my address

Thanks again -- what a thoughtful, unexpected treat!

Respectfully,
XXXX, 1st Lt, USAF

-----Original Message-----
From: Martha Van Inwegen
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 10:18 PM
To: XXXX
Subject: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Travis, I shipped you a box last Thursday, let me know if it gets there ok.

Martha

-----Original Message-----
From: XXXX@bdab.afcent.af.mil
Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2008 3:47 PM
To: martha@lifeelements.com
Subject: RE: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Martha,

Martha,

The wipes arrived yesterday. Thank you so much! Tomorrow I am going to send out a lot to my Marine friend in Fallujah as well as some of the Air Force guys embedded throughout Iraq with the Army.

Thank you also for such a nice, personal note. I am rather excited to see what else you put in the package to my wife (I looked at your sister website, CM, and think that I will definitely have to consider more purchases in the future).

It's funny that you mentioned "re-acquaintance" in your letter -- that is the primary reason I went looking for a good body wipe. My wife is picking me up from the airport and then we are staying in a fancy hotel downtown. Obviously, I want to look my best for her (24hr plane rides just don't help with this issue). Anyways, I called the airport to see what sort of shower facilities they had available (none) and figured the next best thing was to find the most popular body wipe available. Long story short, the plan is to jump off the plane, get squeaky clean (courtesy of Action Wipes!), change out of my uniform into a new pair of clothes (I bought them just for my homecoming ), and then celebrate our reunion...

Thanks again for your gifts and exceptional customer service...I will be sure to spread your wipes all across the sandbox.

Have a great day!

Very Respectfully,
XXXXX