Bill,
I was wondering if you could post this on your blog. I am holding a care package drive for our troops overseas. I am looking to send it out mid January. I am asking for all travel sized product, like hand sanitizers,wet wipes, toothbrushes,toothpaste. I am also looking for donations of warm winter clothing like socks and thermal underwear. The drop off is in front of the town clek's office at the town hall. Thanks Bill.
Raymond M Medeiros, Jr
It's tough being in a foreign land during the holidays. It means a lot to our men and women in uniform to know that we are thinking of them. Help out if you can. Thanks.
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13 comments:
Thanks Ray, Good job.
What about paperback books (already read) and gum, hard candy, playing cards, etc.?
Eye Wash / Drops (Visine, etc.) for flushing dust and sand out of the eyes
Saline Spray/Drops
(Sensitive nasal passages
Feminine Hygiene Products, Tampax
Dr. Scholls Moleskin
(Pads for sore feet
Hand Warmers
Socks (cushioned white calf high)
Books (novels, short stories)
Newspapers (local)
Magazines
These are suggestions, make sure the food you send is not perishable and does not melt, like chocolate
All items should be for travel, our troops carry enough material, we do not want to add bulk to the load.
REMEMBER: If you can not afford to send something, PLEASE at least write a letter of support, this goes a long way.
The care packages will also be available at the schools starting Monday 12/7... Thank you everyone
Ray, what organization are you working with for sponsorship?
I have mentioned this to Sam, the town's veteran agent. I am doing this through the schools also. I have contacted the Quinn PTO about this program so that it will be in the newsletter to the parents.
I am not working for a particular group, I am doing this on my own.
I would also like to mention that the materials I have posted are from various "support the troops" websites. They gave some great examples of what to send and not to send. You can also do your own research and visit different websites for information.
I believe the most important information is what NOT to send, IE, aerosol deoderant because of combustion
Ray, I Googled under care packages and found a very informative site: marineparents.com/deployment/cp-shipping.asp. While it's concentration centers on the Marine Corp, it's applicable to all the armed services.
It lists many things to send, along with shipping directions. The USPS provides free packing supplies for care packages and there is valuable information to read regarding shipping overseas.
One thing, I don't know if you are aware of, and one I would not think of, is the following information from the Marine Parents site:
"Pork and pork by-products are NOT allowed to be shipped to Middle East locations." and "Fresh fruit and yeast are not allowed either."
There's a whole lot of items that our servicemen and women need that are not limited to hygiene, too, and the Marine Parents site lists some of them, as well.
Look under other sites like "Soldier's Angels," for example, and there are lots of ideas.
This is a great project for the community to get behind, or an organization, scout troop, or church group, or something a parent might want to do with a child, either as part of a larger project or just as a parent-child project alone.
What better way for a child to learn the meaning of sacrifice and patriotism than to learn about how our servicemen and women are fighting for peace and democracy throughout the world, and for our continued freedom, and so often, giving the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, to do so.
What a great way to teach a child to think of others. And the spirit of giving need not be limited to just the holiday season, but can be carried out throughout the year. Even letters and cards can be sent, to keep up morale. There is even an "Adopt a Soldier" program (great idea for school children.)
Great project to have thought of, Ray.
Thank you for that great website. Very interesting about the pork and pork by-product.
I find it very interesting how courteous we are to the middle eastern traditions, such as pork.
The respect that we show in the middle east toward their religion is a great step to winning the hearts and minds of the people, which is our ultimate goal.
No yeast??? How are the boys going to make the mash and run the still? That just doesn't seem fair. Ray, while I generally disagree with you on issues, I would like to commend your efforts on this one.
What an outpouring of appreciation and support from our schools so far. DHS sent a box full of items the troops will love to have. The elementary schools have also given alot of items that will be very useful, but above all,the letters the children wrote was overwhelming.
One child wrote a letter telling the soldier that he/she is the child's American hero.
You can stop by the Town Hall and read some letters, all letters displayed are posted on the bulletin board by the town clerk's office. The letters that were signed by the children are not on display, just letters that did not specify either the school or the child's full name is displayed.
Well over 300 letters have been written already.
This Veteran's drive will end Friday, January 15th,2010
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