Thanks to the involvement of countless men, women and children from around the country, close to 40,000 gators and neck coolers have been shipped! THANK YOU, All!

This week, we topped 18,000 gators. More requests continue to arrive. This was forwarded by a grandmother who ordered a dozen for her grandson:

Hey Grandma how are you doing I just got the internet back up after the move here. I just wanted to let you know hat I got here safe and look forward to seeing you when I get home. I aslo wanted to find out about mabey getting some more neck gators they have been hugly popular and every one who recived one said thanks. I didnt have enough for everyone so I was wondering about possibly getting another like 15 of them if that is possible let me know. Also drop me an email any time I alwasy enjoy hearing from you!

Love, Dan

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I will be featured on a TV spot called “I challenge Mark”, on WPTZ, Channel 5, here in Vermont. He came today to learn how to make gators! It should help get more people interested in making gators, at least here in the northwestern corner of Vermont! Tune in, Wed, Feb 2.

Patt Dietz, mother of a serviceman now in the mountains of Afghanistan, and her church sewing group pumped out 62 gators recently, which pushed the total to 17,008! She said he really appreciates the extra layers of warmth. Many more are needed - email me for how you can help!

On Wednesday, December 21, Don Collins, a producer of a public television station in St. Albans Vermont, interviewed me, Becky Tarte-Richards, and her ten year old son, Zach Tarte, for the program. Becky is the Vice President of the Franklin County Chapter of Business and Professional Women, and was instrumental in awarding me with the Woman of the Year award, not only from Franklin County, but from the whole State of Vermont!

Becky, along with her son Zach, and my two neighbors had a sewing bee at my home when a request came in for 300 gators. Zach made about 100 by himself! He had never sewn before, and had a great time learning to make gators. He aalso made one for himself — hot pink!

As of Wednesday, Nov 23, the shipment of Gators sent by Tootie Coakley, of Concord Vt (102 gators sent) topped the 15,000 goal!  She gets a quart of Pure Vermont Maple Syrup for her efforts.  Additional quarts will be sent to Judy Williams, California, Margaret Coles, Texas, who won by a random drawing.  Thank you, all!

16,052 shipped!

Margaret Cole, Houston, TX, has created a Gator Invasion in her dining room!  She has her own website, www.singforpeace.com, which she started when her identical twin Marine Grandsons were deployed.  Of the thousands of items she sent them, they reported that the Gators were the most appreciated.  The sometimes wore three at a time!  Since their return, Margaret has dedicated herself nearly full time to promote The Gator Project. She speaks regularly at Rotary clubs and other groups.  Her dining room table shows the recent results, working with Boy Scouts.  You, go, Girl!!!  Thank you for your hard work, Margaret. The troops appreciate all your efforts!

Today, in recognition of Working Women’s Week, several women from the Franklin County, VT, BPW (Business and Professional Women) created a window display that featured the recipients of the 2005 awards: My Woman of the Year for the Gator Project, Liz Gamache,  Woman of Achievement for the Justice award, and AmCare, an ambulance company, recognized as Business of the Year.  This window display on Main Street in St. Albans, VT, will be on display until October 19.  A female manequin dressed in fatigues, surrounded by two dozen gators, is a focal point.  The Woman of the Year certificate that I received, along with a Certificate of Commendation from the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as numerous Thank You notes are included in the display.

I was very surprised and pleased to be honored as the Woman of the Year by the Franklin County Chapter of the Business and Professional Women, a National association.  This was given at the 40th Anniversary Party in St. Albans, VT. 

The Gator Project was founded by Mary Skelton, the loving Mom of one daughter and two sons. The older son served in the Middle East and helped to inspire The Gator Project. The younger son works on the software behind this site, WordPress, and is helping to spread the word by creating this weblog.

If you would like to help, you can find a way under Pages, in the sidebar. Updates should be posted here regularly. Thanks for visiting!