Care Packages and Thank-You Notes for our Troops in Afghanistan

self | 7-3-04 | patriciaruth

[patriciaruth]

Our troop support group finally found a way to send care packages to our troops in Afghanistan, and I've received a couple letters this week requesting goodies. We're pretty excited about finally making contact, and are inviting others who want to show support to join us.

If you can't afford to contribute money or goods, the troops also really appreciate letters, cards and notes, and request your prayers for their safety and peace of mind.

The first set of care packages and thank you cards and notes that we sent to Afghanistan for the Fourth of July were received with joy and you can read about them on the second half of our last thread, Write a Thank You Note to a Soldier in Iraq this Memorial Day Weekend

We've been collecting goodies and contributions toward the next set of care packages to go to Afghanistan. Our contact there will send them to the troops at the outlying fire bases, and has requested toiletries, movies, paperback books, snacks, and games for them.

Also, there are ongoing requests from a group of soldiers near Kirkuk in Iraq for items for the poor village schools and children in the surrounding area, specifically elementary school supplies and children's toys and crayons 24 to a box are a special project of theirs.

[AIC]

What type of media do you want for the movies DVD, VHF?

[patriciaruth]

DVD. Sorry, but the only VCR player there is used for official business.

Anyone want to donate a VCR player that works?

[AIC]

Thanks for asking. Where does a person send a care package, letters, calling cards, money?

[patriciaruth]

I have some closely guarded APO's for Bagram and for Kirkuk and Balad.

Monetary contributions can be sent to me to pay for care packages. Letters can be mailed to me for forwarding, or you can FReepmail me a letter and I'll print it out and send it. All care packages go by USPS priority, and there are restrictions on what can be sent.

[VOA]

bump

[patriciaruth]

That whole post didn't print for some reason.

Items are sent to me to be included in a package, or to one of a few trusted FReepers closer to the Army overseas shipment staging area. I'm in California and the staging area is on the East Coast, so sometimes it makes more sense to save postage by using another of our group as the recipient, who will check the items, repack in a care package box, and mail.

You can send items to us anyway you want, but we have to send out by USPS.

[Jane_oneproudmom]

This is wonderful!
I'm new, so please forgive any out of place comments :-(
But, we've been able to send boxes to the troops for a few months.
Items that got good reviews from our bravest:
water balloons
softballs
hard candy (they give them out to the kids..especially when the kids are all over the trucks and they need to get on their way :-)
kites
CDs (country and classical)

hand painted pillowcases (thanks to some wonderful kids here. One had a big star with "you are my shining star!" written underneath. Another had a hand ...with 6 fingers ;-) and "high five to my hero!"

new socks were welcomed, as well as wool scarves last winter.

local companies have used their letterhead and let the employees sign notes to our troops. We copy them and put one in each box.

Wal-mart gave us 10% off when we told them what we were up to. Some local stores gave us 20 - 50% off.

Keep up the good work! My son was in the Sunni area for a year. He told me that these boxes gave the troops faith.

Thank you so much for doing this!!

[patriciaruth]

ANY skin cream or lotion is LOVED! Even the guys use them.

[patriciaruth]

Fabulous suggestions! Thank you SO much!

[patriciaruth]

One time ping for a good cause. Anyone not responding won't be pinged again.

Thanks, y'all!

[patriciaruth]

One time ping for a good cause. If you don't respond, you won't be pinged again.

Cheers!

[patriciaruth]

Email from BAGRAM!

Those of us who have had a chance to see October Sky really liked it. Also, Frequency was very good. Thanks so much again for sending all those. I haven't had a chance to see all of them yet, but I will! Sometimes it gets really slow here and there just isn't that much to do, and of course, no where to go. Our internet time is pretty limited and usually someone is waiting to hop on. Anyway, it seems like there are a couple of guys who like the Westerns and Action, the Commander likes horror flicks (whatever!), and the girls do like the chick flicks.

We decorated our office with all the flags and red, white and blue ribbons for the 4th tomorrow. It looks great and adds cheer. Thanks for sending that stuff!

[Corin Stormhands]

Thanks for the ping. We in the Hobbit Hole have been supporting troops in Afghanistan and Iraq for quite some time now.

You can read about our work here.

Thanks for what you are doing.

[JustAmy]

Do not remove my name from your ping list!!!

Freepmail me your address and I will get a check in the mail. May also be able to send a few items.

I have been sending care packages to a local guy stationed in Iraq. I know some of his family. I usually send enough to share with all in his unit.

I've sent Rice Krispie treats; large boxes are available at Costco. Also crackers, cookies, candy, crossword puzzle books and toiletries are appreciated. They specifically asked for flea collars. They wear them on their ankles. The sand fleas are eating them alive.

I will pick up a few additional items next time I make a trip to Costco.

Thanks for doing this.

Amy

[writer33]

My novel, Elective Decisions is out. You can pick it up here before it gets to stores: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com. You can also read a couple of sample chapters when you get there as well. If you have any questions, feel free to FReepmail me. Here is a short synopsis to give you an idea on what it's about.

“Chris Smith desperately needs this last job for an extravagant retirement; he might just die trying.”

Chris Smith, a retired U.S. Army sniper, is now a paid mercenary. Growing up poor, he longs for the wealth he never had as a child. An opportunity arises for him to retire to a lavish lifestyle. This chance pits him against Joe, an old high school foe, running for President of the United States. Chris’s high school friend, Mark Fields, is a journalist seeking an anchor position on network news. His ambition gets him a job as Joe’s campaign manager, and his natural curiosity to get to the truth places him in the line of fire.

Hereford Turley, a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major, hates the changes in the new Army. His obsession and prejudices have led him to Chris Smith. He is forced to take drastic actions to try to prevent the inevitable future. All three men find themselves making ambitious decisions. Over a few months, they will meet each other in a head on collision involving a political conspiracy.


I would also like to send five personally autographed copies to the troops. First, I'll have to send them to you so that you may forward them. Let me know how this works by FReepmail.

Chris Davis
P.S. For those others, click on the top ten best selling books link at the site, and you'll find me at number ten after two weeks. For all of you that have purchased it, I am completely humbled.

[cripplecreek]

Keep me on your list.

I don't have a lot to contribute but I'll do what i can.

[dstarr]

Bump for later.

[Peach]

I've heard from a few freepers that Kettle corn is in the popcorn section and it does come in microwavable bags.