Send Care Packages to the Military

Los Angeles Daily News ^ | March 26, 2003 | Daily News

[lainie]

PALMDALE -- With unsolicited packages from the general public to U.S. military personnel banned because of the threat they could contain poisons or explosives, the Red Cross is stepping in to act as intermediary.

This week, the Antelope Valley Red Cross office will collect donations of candies, toiletries, music CDs and other gifts to send on to American military overseas.

"We have had quite a few calls, and this was requested through national (Red Cross headquarters), so I guess they've had quite a few requests," said Sarah Gonzalez, secretary at the Palmdale Red Cross office. Items may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today through Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the Red Cross Antelope Valley Chapter, 2715 E. Ave. P.

Because of security restrictions, only certain items will be accepted, the Red Cross said. Small- or medium-sized items are best, officials said. For more information, call (661) 267-0650.

Acceptable are individually wrapped pieces of hard candy, such as Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, bubble gum, Skittles, lollipops and Life Savers; microwave popcorn packs; peanuts, pretzels or other snack foods; and packs of coffee, sugar, creamer, tea bags, hot chocolate and hot cider or of sweetened Kool-Aid, Gatorade and other sweetened drink mixes.

Also acceptable are hand wipes, small bottles of hand sanitizer or sunscreen of at least 15 SPF; wrap-around sunglasses; batteries; blank greeting cards; and toiletry items such as nonaerosol shaving creams, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste and shower soap and gel.

Other acceptable items include movie videos, DVDs, music CDs and cassettes and small pencil sharpeners.

People can also donate playing cards; small board games such as chess, checkers or cribbage; jigsaw puzzles; recent paperback books, especially mysteries, action, drama and science fiction; puzzle books; and comic books.

The donations will be collected this week only, the Red Cross said.

Monetary donations are also requested to help cover the costs of shipping, estimated at $1 per pound of goods, the Red Cross said.

The military is only accepting public donations of articles through shipments from the American Red Cross offices, the Red Cross said.

On Saturday, Pentagon officials asked Americans not to send unsolicited mail, care packages or donations to service member, except to relatives and friends.

The Defense Department suspended its "Any Servicemember" mail programs last October out of concern that they provided a way to introduce hazardous substances into the mail system from unknown sources.

Unsolicited mail, packages and donations from organizations and individuals also compete for limited airlift space used to transport supplies, war-fighting materiel and mail from family and loved ones, the Pentagon said.

Defense officials said they recently become aware of organizations and individuals who got around the suspension of the "Any Servicemember" program by using the names and addresses of individual service members and unit addresses.

Some individuals and groups publicized the names and addresses of service members, ships or units on Web sites.

To show support to troops overseas, the Pentagon said people can log on to Web sites to send greeting cards, virtual thank-you cards and calling card donations to help troops stay in contact with loved ones.

Those Web sites are:
www.defendamerica.mil/support--troops.html
www.usocares.org/home.htm
www.army.mil/operations/iraq/faq.html

[lainie]

Looks like, due to overwhelming inquiry, the Red Cross is starting to coordinate large shipments of donated troop goodies. I just spoke to our center and they told me what's in check/what's in need. Ours told me all shipping materials and 1,000 pounds of coffee are waiting to roll.

I'm posting this because I thought it might be helpful for those of you, like me, starting to piece together donations. Look for other coordinated efforts in your area.

[goodnesswins]

I will NOT support the Red Cross....but there are lots of other places to give....like the USO....and those in another thread here on FR.

[homeschool mama]

Absolutely correct, g. Thank you.

[dead]

Red Cross retains the right to sell packages and redistribute the funds to its muslim tolerance programs.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Sorry. I don't trust the Red Cross as far as I could throw them. These are the people who sold toothbrushes and charged for coffee and donuts during WWII - and they haven't changed. They're probably putting price tags on the stuff as we speak.

[Bogey78O]

What you want to bet it costs them about only 50 cents/lb to mail them packages. With their standard markup of course.

[Helix]

You're absolutely right. My dad and other veterans have told me the same thing. They're only interested in "stepping in" so they can make a profit.

[2Jedismom]

The Red Cross is the scum of the earth. Go with the USO.

[wastoute]

I tried to send Bibles because of the thread here the other day. I was told the Red Cross won't send Bibles. They aren't on the list. So much for the Red Cross. Might as well be the Red Hammer and Sickle.

[Jen]

Here are options besides the Red Cross:

What Can I Do To Support Our Troops?

[AlaskaErik]

The Red Cross is a vile and despicable organization. While I haven't been tasked to go to Iraq yet, should I go there, I will refuse anything from the Red Cross. I want nothing from them nor will I ever give them anything.

[lainie]

I figured this was the one instance in which the RC could be useful. (shrug)

Actually this research came out of my being the only one in my group of homeschool moms who kept saying "don't put that stuff in boxes and mark it Kuwait," and this is a viable tangible alternative for them this week.

People just want to do something.

[Helix]

I think we all appreciate the effort and it was wonderful of you to take the time to do this! The soldiers and their families need our support.

It's just that many of us who've loved ones in the military are very jaded about the way the RC takes advantage of their position and we look for other alternatives whenever possible.

I hope we didn't seem crabby with you. That sure wasn't my intention.

[lainie]

No, I understand. Thanks for your comment.

I'd be more than willing to focus elsewhere.

[scouse]

Monetary donations are also requested to help cover the costs of shipping, estimated at $1 per pound of goods, the Red Cross said.

Looks like some of the RC are looking for a raise in pay.

[cgk]

My sentiments exactly. Considering the Red Cross said THIS...
is OUR violation of the Geneva Convention, with absolutely no remarks about Iraq's parading our dead & wounded POW's on TV the same day, they can kiss my ass.

[Hanging Chad]

The Red Cross will get NOTHING from me.

[cgk]

You are absolutely right, and we aren't out to shoot the messenger :). This just gives us another example of the RC's drive for cash even in this time of war.
If you want to help the troops, sign up at operationmilitarypride.org, and look in the message boards under "care packages". I received two names of soldiers - with 8 soldiers served by them to send care packages to. Since I now have their exact NAMES, then the Pentagon limit on not sending pkgs to "any service member" doesn't apply. I received my 2 soldiers names in 2 HOURS after posting a request. :)

[rintense]

Does anyone else have any suggestions for shipping? I'm coordinatiing a corporate-wide effort for care packages, and am looking for the best way to cover shipping cost. Will a local National Guard Armory ship them?

[Theo]

Do not trust the Red Cross. They're actually not the Red Cross there -- they're the Red Crescent. Terrorists use Red Crescent vehicles all the time to move their junk around, and I suspect they may use Red Crescent vehicles to give "gifts" to our military. Don't fund them. Don't trust them.