Suport Our Troops: Operation Phone Home Update

Operation Phone Home, an effort to support troops stationed overseas with calling cards (calls from Kuwait cost upwards of $1.55/minute), personal hygiene products and other care package items is gaining support.

Since my first post here, over 100 generous FReepers have contacted me about supporting our troops through Operation Phone Home. In addition, Boar Hunter Magazine (www.boarhuntermagazine.com) has agreed to support our troops with copies of the Boar Hunter magazine. I am also in touch and working with several other magazine publishers to gain their support as well.

I will be sending out the first of hopefully many more packages to troops stationed in Kuwait on the 2oth of March. Subsequent packages will be sent out on the 5th and 20th of every month for as long as needed.

If you would like to join FReepers and other folks from around the country and send the troops an item or two, here's how:

Phone cards
Letters of support (from adults & children alike)
Personal hygiene products (for men & women)
Magazines (men's & women's, particularly sports mags)
Cards & board games (specifically requested by troops I am in contact with: cribbage boards & scrabble)
Candy & gum (cookies are already on the way!)
Movies & taped American shows (Sopranos, 24, ER, Simpsons, Friends, etc.)
Other "care package" items

If you would like to participate, FReepmail me or send me an email at warehouse@gvii.net and I will send you my address. Then, pick up an item or two listed above, and send them to me. I will be repacking the items with other items sent, along with your letters, and sending them directly to troops stationed in Kuwait.

2. When sending phone cards, keep in mind that for every ten minutes on the card at domestic rates, the troops will get about 1 minute at international rates (60 minute card = 6 minutes)

3. If you are a teacher, this is a great way to get your students involved with supporting the troops. They welcome letters & drawings from kids of all ages.

4. Be sure to pass the word on to your friends & family, and enlist their support as well.

5. Include a note saying hello to the troops, along with your address so they can write back if they choose (this is not required, unless you hope to receive mail directly from the troops)

As always, contact me by FReepmail or at warehouse@gvii.net with any questions. Thanks for your support!

APO FPO Shipping
All Military Post Offices (MPOs) have restrictions on items that can be sent using the APO/FPO system.
While there are several "rules of thumb" that can be referred to,
individual APO/FPO zip codes have restrictions that are specific to the overseas location they serve.

For the first time ever, these zip codes are now available in an online database
that can be searched quickly and easily to verify any and all restrictions to
overseas military bases, posts and camps.

Click Here to look for the
What are the restrictions search box
for your APO/FPO Zipcode?
on the left side of this link
http://www.oconus.com/ZipCodes.asp

I'm sending items too, to a friend of mine. This is my list, using some of your suggestions and suggestions from the friend who is going to get the items...

Hygiene items

Hand Sanitizer*
Disposable razors
Shaving Cream*
Body Lotion*
Shampoo*
Conditioner*
Baby wipes
Lip balms*
Deodorant*
Feminine Hygiene items

Edible items

Candy (Hard, individually wrapped. No chocolate...will melt)
Slim Jims (if doesn't contain pork which is restricted in this zip code)
Beef Jerky
Individual bags of pretzels
Cookies
Twinkies
Moon Pies
Any individually wrapped snacks (Little Debbie, Hostess...NO POWDERED SUGAR)
Chewing gum
Hot sauces (Pace, Tabasco)*
Cheese Whiz in a can*

Entertainment and other items

DVD and VHS movies (Used, in good shape should be ok)
VHS tapes with a series of recorded sitcoms (ie: Friends, Frazier, Seinfeld)
Disposable cameras
Magazines
Local and national newspapers
Children's artwork
Paperback books
Phone cards
Decks of cards
Games like Scrabble, Cribbage boards
Irish Pennywhistles
Hand-held electronic games
Pens/Pencils/Paper pads/ Envelopes
Colored pencils/sketch pads
Batteries (Double A for hand-held games)*

The items with asterix * are items that might potentially leak or melt in transit, especially things under pressure, like the cheese and the shaving cream. If you combine food items with shaving cream and it explodes, then the food items would have the smell on them. When sending a combination box, be sure and enclose items that might potentially leak in a plastic baggie, large enough to contain any spills.

Do NOT send anything that resembles a white powdery substance. I'm sure talcum powder would be appreciated but it should not be sent. I would even stay away from anything that has powdered sugar on it. Instant drink powders are probably not a good idea.

When mailing, be sure and keep a list of everything enclosed in the box. You will need to write a detailed list on a customs slip, which they will give you at the post office. Be sure and put on the slip that the item is a bona fide gift. There ought to be a little box to check.

There are restrictions on the size you can send. The box must not exceed 130 inches in combined length and girth. So measure the box length...then measure around it and add together.

This probably doesn't need to be said, but...no pornography, no weapons, no alcoholic beverages or items used to make alcohol, like yeast, or hops.

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