Operation Military Pride - UK Style

[TraceyL]

I picked this up on the US CB (been lurking there a fair bit lately) about a large network organising sending care parcels to troops in the Gulf Care Parcels (http://www.operationmilitarypride.org) but have been unable to find a UK version.

With the help of a few contacts I'm trying to organise something similar (though not on such a grand scale). So if anyone is interested........

....I've cobbled together some information from the American Care Package website and our BFPO website to give some guidelines on what to send and the costs involved.

************************************************** *

Parcels must weigh no more than 2kg (about 4 1/2 lbs)

Postage Rates (HM Forces European Rate)
A 1kg parcel will cost £3.49
A 2kg parcel will cost £6.89

Contents Guidelines

Do not send
Dangerous goods such as arms, ammunition explosives, flammable liquids, toxic and infectious substances.
Alcohol, drugs and tobacco.
Foreign currency.
Indecent or obscene articles


*****Some ideas of what to send*****


Razors
Shaving cream (not pressurised)
After Shave balm/lotion
Shower Gel
Shampoo
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Deodorant
Mouthwash
Any non-aerosol toiletries (sample & travel sizes are nice & light)
Cotton buds
Eye drops
Chapstick
Sunblock
Aftersun
Dental Floss
Talc
Combs
Batteries
Stamps, writing paper, pens
Books, small magazines (if sending to Ground Troops please take into account the local laws on pictures of women baring flesh !)
Disposible cameras
Small Puzzles/Games
Mini fans
Socks
CDs
Powdered hot chocolate/ drinks
Microwave popcorn
Crisps, biscuits and other snacks
Sweets
M&Ms/Minstrels etc (chocolate will melt)
Chewing gum
Dried fruit

***Why not***

Burn CD compilations
Video sports matches/fave TV programs (ideal for Navy personnel)
Get the kids to draw pictures or write letters

Don't forget there are women there as well !!!!

Biggest requests from Ground Troops are for food
Mars Bars (even thoughthey melt !!)
Pepperami
ANy type of meats that don't require refrigeration before opening
noodles
dried smash
pot noodles
cuppa soups (anything dried that only needs water adding to)
Tunnocks caramel wafer biscuits - for the Jocks !!
Pasta suace packs
baby wipes
black boot polish
cereal bars
small boxes of cereals
toilet roll

**************************************************


Thank you all for your interest - happy shopping

[Fantasia Sam]

This is a great idea Tracey. I'll really feel as if I'm contributing but I'm kinda hoping my parcel crosses whilst they're all coming home.

Looking forward to getting the official address - great plan, thanks for letting us know how we can make a difference, I know my brother was really grateful last time - I don't know how it got through but we managed to send him a bottle of port LOL

[neo's white rabbit]

Tracey

Keep us posted on how this will work - mainly where to mail the package too I guess as you've already posted a list of good ideas/not allowed etc

Sunblock and lip balm sound like good ones along with some entertainment and treats. Daft question - what rate postage stamps should you send so they can write home??

Wonder how you managed to get the booze through Sam?! Even one of those little minature bottles sounds like a nice idea - but would it get confiscated?

[TraceyL]

Normal UK 1st class stamps are fine - the mail goes through the BFPO system which means UK postal rates.

Booze is not allowed because of the anti-alcohol laws of the Arab countries and we have to abide by the laws of the countries we visit (even as far as us women not being able to drive out side of the military compounds). Technically you are not allowed to bring booze on board RN ships either (customs & excise) but unless your parcel gets opened and searched...... (even then you just plead ignorance lol !)

You may have to fill out a customs form on any parcel (depends on the Post Office and whether you send it 1st or 2nd class). 'Personal Items', reading material' and 'Toiletries' are good terms that cover a multitude of sins. You may also have to estimate a value - don't over-estimate else the postage will cost more. I think standard UK delivery covers up to £20.

[neo's white rabbit]

I'm a dab hand at fillling out customs forms!

I've looked at a lot of US sites with care package info, how come the UK is so lacking in this department?! Anyway, lots of useful ideas of what to send on them.

When you get some info back, Tracey, about where we can send a package please post it here.

Any way of knowing if you're sending to someone on a ship or ground forces do you suppose? Their needs would be different, in some areas, you would think. Or male or female come to it - also different needs.

[TraceyL]

Unless something official is set up then it'll be fairly obviously from the address what type of unit the parcel is being sent to.

At the moment the only 'definite' I have is DH's ship - in which case he'll pass the parcels on to the Chaplain for distribution rather than giving them to individuals. I have an aquaintance who is trying to assist with an Army address but she's not comfortable giving out her DH's Unit's address and is looking for a point of contact within in his regiment.

Unfortunately I'm not in the military 'loop' anymore since I moved back to Wales so its not as easy as it would have been. I'm having to do things through the 'friend of a friend' network which is why things aren't happening as quicky as I would have liked.

If anybody does make up a parcel and wants to send it sooner rather than later then you can PM me and I'll pass on an address.

[Olaf]

I saw a segment on The Today Show (NBC) on this project. I thought the woman said that the British soldiers were receiving the packages as well, but I'm not sure. This particular program was called Operation Shoebox.

We did something similiar to this during the Golf War. Something to keep in mind. Don't put stuff in there that can melt (oops, jsut saw that you already noted that). Also, no girlie magazines were allowed either. :rolleyes:

Good Luck Tracy. You might send Simon an e-mail and let him know what you're trying to do. He might be able to give you some ideas to publicize it.

[Olaf]

Here's the website on the program that was mentioned on the telly this morning.

http://www.operationshoebox.com/

You might send them an e-mail and ask them for advice on a "general" mailing address.

At this website, it was mentioned that "fly swatters" are in big demand.

[TraceyL]

Thanks Steph - I'll checkout the shoebox website. The Military Pride organisation offered to send my DH a parcel - but he's not really the one who needs it ( I send enough as it is lol !)

OMG - I've been tagged again :Pinkbounc

[neo's white rabbit]

You can't send to unamed individuals Steph, not in the US military anyway.

Anyone who is in the US and wants to link up with a service person who's not getting any mail can try here...

http://www.operationmilitarysupport.com/volunteerstart.htm

[neo's white rabbit]

What does this 'tagged' thing mean?:confused:

[TraceyL]

Unfortunately the 'Contact Us' facility has been disabled on the website so I can't get in touch with them to find out any more info :confused:

It has been suggested that I set up my own website - but I wouldn't know where to start :eek:

Tags are the coloured signatures under your username - left by the wonderful Tag Fairy :D

[Olaf]

Do you have your husband's CO's wife phone number/e-mail. When my husband was squadron commander, I had access to all kinds of addresses and e-mail. He's flying a desk at the moment, so I'm of absolutely no help.

You can do it Tracy. Just just need a little help. I'm afraid I'm too far away. You need to find some other spouses to hook up with.

[neo's white rabbit]

I wouldn't know where to start with a website either!

Steph, I've also seen mention of flea collars to be worn around ankles because of sand fleas and insect repellant in general.

[neo's white rabbit]

I'm off to bed, I'll be in touch tomorrow Tracey.

Are we talking publicity for the idea of sending care packages to service men and women or getting other contacts within the Forces about how to go about it?

[TraceyL]

How to go about it is my first concern, publicity second. I've posted the idea on 4 website forums so far and had positive responses from all 4. Its just getting a poc in each regiment/unit/ship, rather than sending parcels to named individuals.

[neo's white rabbit]

So much for going to bed!

I decided to have a look at the AOL UK message boards and now have a stack of addresses both personal (family members serving who would pass things on) and things like ship, battalion, regiment, field hospital addresses.

Anyone wanting to send a shoebox to our troops drop me a PM with an email address (it's too long for the PM system) and I'll forward it on.

I understand there's a budding campaign to Royal Mail to let people send these boxes cheaper or free. Email www.royalmail.com and kick up a fuss!

It's 1am, I'm off!

[Hilary]

Great thread, Tracey :)

[Laurajean1014]

I love the support this thread has shown. :) :) :)

[WebmasterPenny]

Great idea Tracey!

[neo's white rabbit]

Well if anyone want to send a care box to our troops I have my rough list and Tracey has that too and is working on getting more info.

NOTE: You need the name of someone to send to, even if you're asking them to share out the contents. I understand that if you just send a box addressed generally if won't get there - which hasn't been pointed out on some of boards the I've seen.

[Olaf]

I thought of something else. The guys posted on the ships as opposed to the Marines and Army, are going to need different kinds of items. Plus, those guys in the desert have to carry all of their own kits.

I'm so proud of all of our guys (and women)! :)

[TraceyL]

Coincidentally I've just updated the list of things to send to take into account the items requested specifically by the troops on the ground (thanks nwr !!) :) They mainly want food :eek: Its a sorry state of affairs when we can't feed our troops properly !!

Thanks for the suggestion Steph ;)

[neo's white rabbit]

Quite! Food parcels...

At some point last night Tracey and I had an exchange about the different needs of ground troops versus those on the ships.

[Astrid]

You're doing a great job! :)

Ta for the e-mail Tracey, I've printed it off and me and the kids are going to get a box together.

Every little bit helps and all that.

Astrid x

[neo's white rabbit]

Hi Astrid :)

The very brilliant Tracey has done this...

http://mysite.freeserve.com/Care_Parcels/

[Astrid]

How clever is that!!

Also used your link NWR for a person to write to so I'll be getting my pen and paper out later! Can't believe how quickly I got a name and address back.

Thanks! :)

Astrid

[TraceyL]

:smooth: My very first attempt at a website lol !!

[neo's white rabbit]

You did great Tracey:D

I know Astrid, it surprised me too. Reading between the lines letters are very important - the link I put up was for US service people not getting any mail. Imagine that scene. Stuck out there never hearing from a soul.

There is no similar arrangement for UK troops (yet) but you can get free 'blueys' from your Post Office - just ask for one. I have a stack of general addresses for Op Telic BFPO's and, allowing for the current confusion about whether you need a named person for package, a free letter costs nothing and may make all the difference to someone.

[TraceyL]

That's an excellent idea ! In these days of emails I'd totally forgotten about blueys !!!

[WebmasterPenny]

Hmmmm...I haven't actually done mine yet, but now I'm not sure I should after reading this (http://www.sgtmoms.com/user/nws/nws_user_display.asp?action=display_object&ObjectID=45539&ChannelID=111106)

Seems the are tightening up and saying you <i>shouldn't</i> do it this way because of the security risk it opens up.

[TraceyL]

I did consider the security risk before I started but when letters from servicemen appear in national newspapers (with addresses) asking for parcels/letters, its no different. Every address I have has been volunteered.

Its actually got far too big for me already - the response has been amazing - it was only designed for a couple of the forums I use but seems to have got 'national' !!:eek:

The official MoD line is that care parcels are not required as the servicemen have everything they need (not what I've been told) and that excess mail will clog up vital supply lines (they only take out what fills the space they have left anyway)


So .... what do I do ?? :confused:

[Astrid]

Well, I'm sending mine anyway. :)

Keep up the good work Tracey!

Astrid x

[TraceyL]

I've taken the contact page offline while I think things over. It was a good idea whilst it was kept in house and I was passing addresses out to people I 'knew'. I'm getting increasingly uncomfortable about the sheer number of strangers I'm giving addresses out to.

Please continue to send the parcels that you're making up whilst I mull things over.

[WebmasterPenny]

Okee do! I'll try and get mine all sorted tomorrow then :)

[Kilted_Yank]

Good on you, Tracy and everyone for doing this. As a long srvice veteran, I can truly appreciate the effort, and can tell you that our men out in the desert and aboard ship aprreciate it as well.

Hang in there, everyone!

Bill

[Krisu]

Don't mean to get off topic:D Just want to say my prayers are also with our friends from England. P.S. what is dried smash:confused:

[TraceyL]

Smash is a brand of dried mashed potato :D

[nativetxn]

What is a bluey?

How can I get a name of a British military person? I have adopted 2 US marines and 1 US soldier.

I'm an honorary Brit and I think I need to adopt a British military person and send a package.

Does anyone have a relative or someone they know who wouldn't mind receiving mail from an American?

Katholyn

[TraceyL]

A Bluey is an aerogram.

A very light combined envelope and writing paper (you write on the inside then fold it over and put th eaddress on the outside).

It quailfies for free airmail delivery to active service areas

I've PM'd you :D

[nativetxn]

I have a question. Does your military have to pay postage to send a letter to the US? I want to include a self addressed envelope but I don't know if I should put US postage on it or UK postage. If UK postage is required I will need to send some money to someone in return for UK postage. Can you help me with this?

Katholyn

[TraceyL]

I'm not sure Kath.

With our boys (& girls) working so closely together I'm sure that mail will actually come out of 'the trenches' via the same network ? But I really don't know :confused:

[nativetxn]

Okay, then what I'm going to do is put the same amount of US postage on it as I would put on a letter to the UK and hope for the best.

I just wanted to send a card for them to drop in the return mail so that I know that they got the package and so they could put in any special requests.

For some reason the song, "I'll be seeing you" keeps playing over and over in my head. I think I'm in WWII mode.

[TraceyL]

Thanks Kath :)

Next time you put your moderator's hat on is there any chance of getting a Union Flag incorporated into some of the support banners that have appeared on the main site ? I've adopted the Blue Star flag for as long as DH is there, its nice to see the patriotism and I'd like to feel us Brits were represented as well ?

Hope I'm not speaking out of turn - I know its a US site but as an honorary Brit I thought you'd be the one to ask :)

[nativetxn]

Check the home page now, Tracey :)

[TraceyL]

Thank you - that means a lot :)

[neo's white rabbit]

Thanks Katholyn, it's appreciated.

[nativetxn]

Don't thank me, thank the webmasters. They added the Union Jack. I appreciate it too :)

[BONZO]

Tracey,


This is off a link that Shamu placed recently.


Solidarity banners / gifs etc (http://sunnybrits.com/free/index.htm)


http://sunnybrits.com/free/united-200.gif

[TraceyL]

Thanks :D

Spoilt for choice now .....http://sunnybrits.com/free/shoulder150.gif

[TraceyL]

An update for you..

I've had several emails from people who've had letters back from their soldiers/airmen thanking them. So the parcels are getting through - a huge thank you to everyone involved.

A important pice of news today

As of Thursday 17th April packages up to 2kg will be sent to the Gulf FREE !!!!



:Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

[neo's white rabbit]

That's great news on both counts Tracey.

Anything in particular we need to put on a parcel to send it for free? I still have quite a few more packages I can send...

[TraceyL]

Needs to be a named parcel with an Op Telic BFPO number.

I've just spent all evening making up 12 parcels and still have stuff left over ! Will store them til Thursday now:D

[neo's white rabbit]

Think I'll be making a trip to the local shoe shops to pick up some boxes...great that we can now just spend money on the contents and not postage too :)

[nativetxn]

No free postage from the USA :( But I don't care. I'm proud to have "adopted" a British soldier.

I sure hope he likes Doritos :teeth: