How about a DIS family soldier request thread? Inspired by TwinMom7's letter

[PRINCESS VIJA]

After reading TwinMom7's thread with the letter from her son, I was wondering if we would be able to help out a bunch of soldiers. I am excited for our family to go on a shopping night for Bobby, (TwinMom 7's son) and sending him a care package. And that got me thinking......

Iknow that we have many people here on the DIS who had family that were deployed. Would any of them like to receive care packages? If so, post their names and address and a wish list. How about it dis'ers, can we help out our Dis family soldiers?

 

[debster812]

Great Idea Princess!!!!

I too am working on some stuff for Bobby and his unit!!! But we could certainly 'spread the wealth' some. I also know that DISer Keli's DD's BF has left recently. And Mamajoan's DS is out there somewhere!!

Just think if as many of us who could 'adopted' a soldier or sailor or airman or Marine, how many lives could we brighten???

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Don't know anyone going personally, but I'd love to send a care package and a letter to someone. It would be a small way to show my appreciation for all they are doing...and make me feel good too!

 

[Boo'sMom]

Great idea...I'm working on a care package for bobby too, but both DSs are scouts, and I'm sure each group would love to adopt a soldier.

I like this idea so much better than just donating money to an organization that will send something on our behalf.

So families of deployed soldiers...please feel free to pm me your soldier's info....I'll keep you updated!!

 

[tiggerlover]

What a great idea! Our base has so many troops deployed that we are constantly making collections to send off. It is nice to see the private sector joining in.

It is a shame that they no longer allow you to send to any airmen, sailor, or soldier, that was always a nice thing for the troops, but I certainly understand with the way things are these days. Kudos to you all for your kind and caring hearts.

 

[mamajoan]

Debster.. thanks for thinking about my ds..Mike... However you must have missed my update.. that is ok

Mike's order's were changed, he is still at Fort Hood..for now.
I have many friends who have been sent to Kuwait. Some are on the berm.. the border btwn Kuwait and Iraq. I will check with them to see what if they are rec'ing packages.
I think you have a lovely idea Vija.

When Mike was deployed last year these are some of the things he really needed and enjoyed getting. Remember to keep your shipments to the small/medium size as it eases delivery.

1. Antibacterial "waterless" cleaners/shampoo
2. Pringles.. they don't crush
3. small handheld electronic games ie. battleship etc...(remember the batteries)
4. regional newspapers
5. current magazines....no bikini's allowed
6. Letters, lots and lots of letters.. from Kids to Elderly, all well wishes are appreciated.

Hope that helps and gives you some ideas.
God Bless you for being so kind to one another.
Continue your prayers for Peace.
Joan

 

[TwinMom7]

You people are absolutely the BEST THERE IS!!!

I know that you can do a search online for other ideas to include in care packages. The main thing to remember is to keep the boxes at a medium size - nothing too big. You'll have to list EVERY item on a customs form, so take a list with you to the post office. It will take probably a month for the package to get there, so watch the perishables and avoid chocolate. Remember, your box is going to a desert.

There are many online military sites that will give you great ideas for care packages - just do a little searching.

If I can be of any other help, please PM me and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart - along with my son and his fellow Marines who will surely reap the benefits of anything sent!

 

[wovenwonder]

Wonderful idea! Would a DISer be willing to organize this event? Take a list of DISers family and friends deployed and also of list of people willing to contribute. The organizer would then do the match up and PM DISers with the info.

 

[Minnesota!]

my good friend, Nick, is a marine and is currently on the USS Tarawa, with orders to be in Kuwait (last we heard - letter was from February 8). But, what we have been sending is chips, chocolate (won't be such a good idea once he is on land - rather hot), email printout from cnn.com, since they are told nothing about what is going on, toilet paper (was his big request), Sports Illustrated Swim Suit edition (and any other "guy" magazines.....big demand on the ship, guys that have them rent them out and can make quite a killing, I guess!!), pictures, letters, my friend's fiance is an elementary teacher, and she had all her students write letters to Nick, saying hi, and asking questions. Etc. Soap, lotion, etc. Chapstick for the dry desert, hard candy. Bottled water...

As far as listing the contents, the post office has told us that you just need to list the biggest things inside...not everything...

This is a great idea, and I can provide whomever is organizing with his address. Just let me know who to give it to..

Thanks!!!!!

 

[TwinMom7]

Be very careful as far as "guy" magazines. We were told NO magazines with swimsuits, etc. and especially no pornography. We know for a fact that every box is opened and inspected before it's received by the soldier, so just be careful. I know that I wouldn't want a box of goodies not delivered because of one magazine. I've also read on our military board that the entire package will be undeliverable - they won't just remove the item. So, please keep this in mind.

I don't know if they have different rules for guys on ships and guys on land - but this is what we have been told by the Marines as far as our loved ones sitting in Kuwait.

 

[MerryPoppins]

You guys have given me a great idea. Our Boy Scout troop is huge. We have about 6 young men that are currently in the military that were our Scouts. I think we should try to adopt them and send them goodies. I'll send the idea to the leadership council tonight. I bet our boys would love to do this. What a neat way to help out. We could send letters, too.

 

[Minnesota!]

We were told something completely different. Basically anything can be sent via mail. They cannot, however, receive anything - links, pics ANYTHING via email with "guy" stuff. But in packages, anything goes. Is it different between branches, you think? Also, Nick has said that nothing he has received has been gone through (I questioned this because his fiancee sent some pretty racy pictures and articles of clothing), he said that he gets the packages still packaged, him being the first to go through it since it left the states. Odd...maybe it is different for different areas.

 

[tater bug]

Count me in! I would love to help out. Also, I have a brother heading to the Persian Gulf March 4. If anyone is interested in sending something to him, pm me.

 

[snoopy]

Great idea! I'd like to be kept in the loop as to who may need care packages, and I am also sending one to Bobby.

If possible, can people just post their loved one's name and address here on the thread so we can have one central place in which to access this information.

 

[TwinMom7]

Here's a great site with ideas for CARE packages and mail restrictions. Please click on the left column under mail restrictions and you'll specifically see what it states about semi-nude, nude, etc. It has mostly to do with the Muslim country they will be in.

Per an earlier post, it might be ok on the ship, but it doesn't sound like any of this will be allowed once they reach these Muslim countries. Since my son was sent by air rather than by sea, that's probably why we were told at our initial family support meeting about these rules.


Marine Moms

 

[becka]

This is a great idea and I would love to help any member of our armed forces.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

It is exciting to see how many people want to help out. Do you guys want a centralized list of the soldiers, or do you want to be matched up? I am not the best at organizing, is someone interested in grouping names of soldiers, and names of those of us wanting to help out?

 

[Jeafl]

I would love to send a package (or two or three!!). If someone would contact me with specific information, I would appreciate it.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

I'd be happy to help organize this...I guess...we'd need the names of recipients and disnames and contacts of those who wanted to "adopt" a member of the military. Does that make sense?

 

[TwinMom7]

If you would like my son's address, please PM me and I'll be glad to give it to you.

He is currently at Camp Coyote in Kuwait, 20 miles from the Iraq border. Per his letter, dated February 11th, they have no electricity and no running water. He said that the wind blows sand into their food. Despite this, his words sounded encouraging and his love of his country, his family and his fellow Marines is evident.

I know that anything received by him will be shared with as many Marines as he can reach.

Thanks and God Bless you all!!!!