To help out troops, send cash not packages, parcels are much more trouble than money

Post-Gazette National Bureau ^ | Monday, March 31, 2003 | By Karen MacPherson,

[Behind Liberal Lines]

WASHINGTON -- Chocolate is out. So is shaving cream in an aerosol can. And forget about pork. So what do U.S. troops fighting in Iraq War really need?

Flea collars.

Groups who organize military care packages say U.S. troops put the flea collars around their ankles to keep the sand fleas -- ubiquitous in the desert -- from biting. Other helpful items for troops on desert duty include wrap-around sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen. Playing cards are in great demand, too; cards are easily lost to the desert winds, so troops welcome replacement packs.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Not mentioned in this article, but told to me by a member of the post office, is that the other problem is that the "principled" and "pacifist" anti-war crowd is sending anti-war hate literature to the troops in these "care" packages.

Bastards.

[rintense]

Wanted to add this: do not go through the Red Cross.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

good point. No Red Cross

[Rubber_Duckie_27]

No way...that is so wrong! Sending anti-war materials in a MILITARY CARE PACKAGE?!?

We have a buddy on one of the carriers...we didn't send anything with chocolate, but he did get a few things that I wouldn't have sent to someone running around in the desert. Instead of the flea collars, he got MAD Magazine and microwave popcorn. :-)

[Beck_isright]

Definite NO RED CROSS bump!

V

Give the money to the USO.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

RE: Mad magazine. Actually, during WWII and subsequent wars it was quite common to send comic books to GIs, as simple to read and easily disposable entertainment.

[jacquej]

I have the name of a marine, submitted by one of his commanding officers, as someone who needs to get mail. I am writing to him in spite of the request, so he won't be one of the guys not hearing his name called when mail finally does get through.

I think those who have family and friends should perhaps send only one letter a day, so as not to clog the mail, but those of us who have names of service people who aren't going to get mail from home should continue to write.

There is nothing worse than knowing your name will not be called, and you will not be getting any goodies from home. I intend to make sure one lonely LCPL will be happy and feel loved and appreciated. I have even knit him a nice pair of fine merino socks in a wild color to cheer him up. They are going out today.

[YaYa123]

Repeating the caution bump of making military donations to the Red Cross. Don't do it!

The USO gets my donation:
http://www.usocares.org/donate.htm

[ET(end tyranny)]

Repeating the caution bump of making military donations to the Red Cross. Don't do it!

Stopped donating to the Red Cross after 9-11!

Bttt

[jacquej]

No Red Cross donations from me! And after the 911 debacle, they will have to go a long way to earn back my trust.

[jpl]

"Cash allows disaster relief professionals to procure exactly what is needed in a disaster situation," InterAction officials say on the organization's Web site. "Cash donations do not require transportation costs, ... [they] support the economy of the disaster-stricken region... [and] prevent culturally, dietary and environmentally inappropriate giving."

These people sound to me like they're completely confused about what the point of the care packages actually is.

[peeve23]

I disagree. Do NOT send cash. The relief organization will keep it.

There's a system someplace (I saw if the other day)....where you can send PX (Aafes) gift certificates. Even that leaves it up to someone to distribute.

Personally, I'd say you should look around your neighborhood for some troops from your area. The closer you get to "one on one" with a family connection, then the more likely that your gift will get to an actual troop.

Do NOT trust the Red Cross. Do NOT trust church charities (they're as bad as Red Cross....they put the donation in their general fund....the United Methodists are among the worst at this.)

[jpthomas]

The Greater Pensacola USO has launched Operation Ziplock. They are collecting gallon-sized ziplock bags donated by local people who fill them with items off a recommended list (phone cards, toiletries, etc), along with a personal note to the recipient from the person making the donation. The USO is going through the bags to vouch for their contents, and will deliver them in-theater using their own delivery assets.

[Blood of Tyrants]

NIX THE FLEA COLLARS! This is pure unadulterated BULLSH#T! A flea collar works basically poisioning the blood of the dog or cat wearing it, with each having it's own formula for the appropriate animal. DO NOT SEND FLEA COLLARS! They are NOT made for use by humans.

If you want to send something, to keep the sand fleas off, send insect repellant in pump bottles or lotion form.

[Chewbacca]

Yeah. Little squirt bottles of 100% Deet would work better.

You can at least wipe it on your clothes.

[kimchi lover]

FLEA COLLARS??? YUCK!
God bless those poor folks.

[Kay Soze]

I have a lady at work whose son is in Iraq in the Marines.

What is the limit we can send?

Can everyone in our office send him a care pack? ( then he can share!!)

Is it true to limit to the size of a shoe box?

Are there size weight limits?

What do they Really need in Iraq?

Every thread I have read here on this turns into 400 posts of cupid giffs with little info.

Please help.

[VOA]

bump

[putupon]

My Dad sent a Smithfield Ham to my brother-in-law for Xmas during Gulf War 1 in Saudi, and it got through. As thirsty as that stuff makes you though, it doesn't seem like it would be good desert food.

[Ciexyz]

One of my co-workers has a son at the front and he downloaded a list of suggested items for CARE packages from the unit's website. It says that the local PX has the usual toiletries and many snack items for sale, but they recommend that families send:

soft toilet paper, snack items that your child likes but can't get at the PX, videos and DVD's since many of the troops have access to a video or DVD player and enjoy watching movies in their free time.

Also playing cards and hard candy.

Therefore, I bought some items and gave them to my co-worker to include in their next package to their child. Even though packages are backing up in delivery right now, the soldier will eventually get it.