How do you send aid for Troops and Iraqi Civilians?

[Frances_Marion]

I've heard much about people sending shoeboxes full of water, candy bars, etc etc. Who can I send stuff like this to? I've also heard that the inhabitants of Karbala are desperately in need of fresh water...are there any agencies that will responsibly and quickly distribute any aid packages to our troops and civilians?

[JmyBryan]

There's a war going on. But you could maybe charter a plane to fly over Karbala.

[lizma]

Never felt a shoe box was the best choice for containers to ship water in, but that's just me.

[konaice]

The best thing you can do is pay your taxes.
The US military will have the water turned on before
the post office gets its act together.

The situation is well in hand.

[ErnBatavia]

Suggest try the USO or a military base near you....you'll get your guidance from them. (Please not United Way or the Red Double Cross)

As I understand it, packages are NOT welcome....but a few bucks always are.

[RLJVet]

They need batteries for music and gameboys. Contact the American Red Cross. You are very kind.

[thepitts]

I have looked into this too, it doesn't look like there is any way to get there from here right now.
At best it will take weeks to get there.
Maybe in the not to distant future things will improve.

[kellynla]

Okay here you go. www.vfw.org Semper Fi

[kellynla]

www.vfw.org

[lizma]

The Fisher House Foundation is accepting donations. They enable military family members of our wounded troops, who are in state side military hospitals, to stay close by.

[MinuteGal]

Mail and packages from home to our troops is taking one month.

One of the cables did a piece on US Military post office tonight.

Leni

[gcruse]

I've been e-mailing water for some time. Don't know about snail mail, though.

[Steven W.]

be careful because they are saying to actually NOT send stuff over there directly because, as it stands, there are dozens upon dozens of ships already waiting to be unloaded in the nearby region. Plus every item that's sent has to be checked out because they have to be on the lookout for terrorists sending unwanted stuff so blindly sending stuff out of channels is actually doing more harm than good at this point.

[holyscroller]

This came in today via our Naval Academy chat group. This addresses the needs of our wounded servicemen who are now starting to come back to Bathesda. Here are some items you can donate:

Our Marines and Navy Wounded at Bethesda Naval Hospital

Marines and friends of Marines:

This morning I became aware of an outreach to the recuperating Marines and Navy Corpsman at Bethesda Naval Hospital. I want to share this in case anyone out there is interested in contributing.

Some Marine wives wanted to do something for the recuperating Marines. They decided to contract local industries (Raytheon, Boeing, Rolls Royce, et al) for donations and then delivered ball caps, industry "trinkets" (key chains, etc), as well as some phone cards to the injured Marines. The Marines were very grateful for the gifts. When asked what they really needed, they said they needed basic clothing -- their uniforms were mostly cut up and discarded enroute from Iraq.

Carols SitRep Letter follows:

As of last night [April 2d I believe] there were 37 Marines and Navy Corpsmen -- unfortunately, there are more arriving.

If you or your company wishes to assist in meeting their immediate needs, they could use:

Sweat shirts

Sweat pants

T-shirts

Socks

Boxer undershorts

Sizes vary from L to XL mostly (with a few M) -- looser is probably better

Some of the Marines have lost limbs and many will undergo physical rehab - the sweats will become even more important to them later.

Only the most seriously injured have their families flown in -- all others must call home "on their own dime" -- phone cards will be greatly appreciated by these young Devildogs.

There are a few groundrules:

* Do NOT ship/send these items to the Naval Hospital -- Carol Sefton has a team of Marine wives ready to accept and deliver any donated items

* Do NOT send balloons/confetti-type gifts

* Do NOT send cash or checks -- the closest thing to money that is acceptable is the above mentioned phone cards

All items either with or without greeting cards should be shipped to:

Mrs. Carol Sefton

8412 Fenwood Drive

Springfield, VA 22152

Her email address is: csefton@cox.net

Any and all questions should be addressed to Carol (sorry, Carol)

I know I can speak for all when I say "Thank You" to Carol Sefton, Brenda Nyland and all Marine Wives working on this effort. I know that industry, the USO and like organizations will address many of the longer-term needs of these veterans but any help you might be able to offer can help them right now.

Semper fidelis,

[RLJVet]

Great info. Thanks.

[He Rides A White Horse]

How do you send aid for Troops and Iraqi Civilians?

Where else do you see these types of questions?

.....and Iraq Civilians

....the nature of the US military.......America has been on the right side of this war from the onset.

[Frances_Marion]

Thanks for the advice, and bollocks to the smart asses.

[lizma]

Count me in.

I'm 10 minutes from Bethesda Naval and anything I can do for them, I would consider a blessing.

[honeygrl]

"They need batteries for music and gameboys. Contact the American Red Cross. You are very kind. "

And don't forget the cigarettes!! Our boys really want some cigs!