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 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.

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

 

[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?

 

[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

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

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

 

[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.

 

[Penny12]

Great idea Tracey!