I got this in my inbox a few minutes ago. Things like this may be going on in your communities, if not, it would be a good thing to start.
If one is interested - and has a store front - one could be a drop-off point, just like the beauty salon in my reference.
On the other hand, I don't know if this is really needed???? Sometimes help is more of a hindrance - and I don't know the answer, but I do assume the Army takes care of it's own. -------------------------------------------------
Support the Troops Supply Drive by the Forsyth County Democratic Women
We are collecting items to send to the troops! Drop off locations will be the Forsyth County Democratic Headquarters at 315 N. Spruce St. (Mondays 9-12:00, Thursdays 10-12:00) and Shear Innovations salon). Everybody please show your support by dropping a couple of items off to help our men and women in service. Here is a suggested list for our boxes--so fill 'em up!
Toilet paper Eye Drops Sun Glasses Gum/Hard Candy Shaving cream/razor Feminine Hygiene Products Pain Relievers (Tylenol, Advil...) Foot Powder Chap Stick Pre-Packaged snack foods Instant Coffee Notebooks/pens/paper Juice Mix Granola Bars Write letters/cards Baby Wipes Food-Food-Food (Nothing that would melt or go bad after a few days, of course)
Good Luck! Let's get this thing going!
[ March 26, 2003, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: Myra Grozinger ]
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
quote:(OT /non controversial)
...just thought to keep this aspect of the thread in the forefront.
Posted by AdrienneMorgan (Member # 1046) on :
Myra, I want to do this, but am now hearing that we may not be able to send packages due to tighter security measures...
Is there a way to confirm that we can actually send packages full of goodies to soldiers?
A:)
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
Adrienne:
I just sent an e-mail to the organizers, asking the same sort of questions. I will advise when I hear back. Maybe the real help would be to organize some support for the families left behind here, with a mother of father temporarily gone, who are struggling emotionally and financially.
(I would not be true to myself if I did not ask you, and it only occurred to me this second: How are you coping right now, with such a beautiful French name??)
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
The answer is that this seems to be a Red Cross effort. Here it is they, who will repackage goods, scan them for anthrax, and transport them to the troops.
I'm very happy to see the legitimacy that seems to be behind it.
So I think anyone who thinks they want to get behind this idea can get a start by contacting their local Red Cross.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Keep in mind, if you have specific people you want to send items to, they may not receive them as things are getting hectic and more troops are shipping out and being relocated.
That should not stop you from sending anything though, but be sure to include notes and cards even if you don't know who's going to receive them.
I have been keeping contact with a few of our boys through the internet.. they're in the middle of nowhere but they do have limited access.. and they're seeing all the war protests back home - they need to see that there are people here who support and appreciate them!
Along with the Red Cross, you can contact your local VFW's and they can help you send items where they need to go.
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
Myra...
I like the thoughts about the families at home of service people who are overseas, especially reservists, who are hit particularly hard, money-wise. I could see people wanting to "adopt" a family by helping in any way they can, until the service person returns home. I think there are people out there who are having a hard time keeping food on the table right now, and probably others who are in jeopardy of losing a home due to missing payments on mortgages or leases. I'd be inclined to help if I knew of a program, or perhaps offer to help in a classified ad? Something can be done I'm sure. Posted by Troy Haas (Member # 472) on :
I don't know if it is a national or local thing, but our local Blockbuster Video Store's are collecting "Girl Scout Cookies" to send to our troops. They also have a station set-up where you can write a note or card (I guess you could bring you own in) and they will send them and pick up the postage for it.
If interested you could contact your local Blockbuster to see if they are participating.
[ March 26, 2003, 09:40 PM: Message edited by: Troy Haas ]
Posted by EmpY (Member # 138) on :
Yesterday I saw on the news that the Pentagon was suspending deliveries of any packages to the troops, especially if they are not from family members.
If you think about it, don't they have enough on their minds right now without having to deliver thousands of packages to people who are for the most part on the move?
And the troops already carry what... 75 to 125 POUNDS worth of equipment. I think they're probably fairly well equipped?
I received an email similar to the one Myra received but it was some shoebox package idea that was internet based. It seemed very suspect to me. I question how much of the stuff collected will even get sent anyplace.
They were even looking for donations of postage.
If at some point our own military says "We have need of more (this or that)" then I would say send whatever you can. Until then, I think it's a misplaced desire to help. And it's possible that some unscrupulous people may be trying to take advantage of people's willingness to be helpful.
Posted by Mike Languein (Member # 319) on :
Most of the stuff on the list is provided by the government - but speaking as one who was in the military I can vouch for cookies! The guy they are intended for will probably never see them, but he will get somebody else's - it's known as 'The Old Army Game".
. . .and if you're wondering how I cope wth MY beautiful French name -- I say don't blame me - grandpa picked it. Michel André Languein
(Frogs -- huh.) Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
I agree with Empy-Mayo in principle (what do you go by?- don't mean to offend). I wrote the following before I read his, and did not post it because I had to rush to a late night appointment to play BackGammon. I lost. ----------------------------
But some is still valid in addition I think:
I am glad to see some brainstorming, and I think, Jeff, that the need here at home is the one that is probably the least addressed, and in it’s own way just as, or more, dire. These young men are just starting out, and if one has a young family it could be disastrous. It’s a need we could find and fill better, because we understand these daily needs of families better.
I imagine that sending stuff to the front lines is tricky at best, in all probability will not be what a soldier has a need for when he or she gets it, and complicates and weights them down rather than helps. (I’m surmising – I have a mental picture of the kind of hardship tube of toothpaste could be in a sandstorm)
I also imagine it could be one of those things where you appreciate the thought someone had, and then wish they had left it at that.
At home though, it is a different situation. I think the mothers need some time away from the kids for instance. If I were a member of a church, I would probably ask in my Sunday school class who knows someone, and then find a way to help that person by asking what is the thing she (he) needs most. Sort of have a "neighborhood" of people adopt the family for a while.
Or find someone in your living vicinity - or your place of employment- or your spouses place of work, and do the same thing.
The thing that would be needed is organization, ideas, time, and money. Some have more time, some have more money, but diluted the burden will not be too heavy on a group of people.
I am really concerned. This is not the war we thought it would be in speed and in how it is unfolding at the moment. I think that we could be facing 75 billion dollars to be only a down payment on this venture. Even reduced by half the tax cuts on top of the ongoing obligation ahead could have this country first financially and then morally bankrupt.
Just because our wellbeing as people first and foremost is tied to food clothing and shelter. The finer things in life come later on in the hierarchy or needs. So we could have a pretty bad moral climate if people don't have their base requirements met.
I worry about these young guys coming home after the horrors of war, which will stay with them close up and personal, way different than what we witness on TV. They would benefit, and heal better, if their young families were not also in trouble.
I am not sleeping very well these days. I'll kick this around in my head when I toss and turn, maybe I can come up with some good idea (s). The more of us think about it the better, because that by itself will bring about answers.
I do believe there is a big need for help and sustenance for the young families. They are the backbone and the future of this country, if they are not well, we are not well. Already, as I observe, they in most cases do not have all that great a start when it comes to education or a financial base. I am concerned.
Posted by Mike Languein (Member # 319) on :
Breaking News!
The Post office is asking us NOT to send any more stuff to Iraq.
Personally I think if they don't want to overload the soldiers with it they could give it to the liberatees - I've seen them storming the food trucks.
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