Our Hero Soldiers need Civies & Things for Quatar R & R

07/31/2003 | Ragtime Cowgirl

[ALOHA RONNIE]

NEVER FORGET

...Here's a chance for you to help do something DIRECTLY for our Hero Soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan for our FREEDOM and future Safety in Time of War.

...The Quatar, Afghanistan Rest & Recooperation Center (R & R) is hosting 3rd Infantry Division, 10th Mountain Division, etc Soldiers from both Iraq and Afghanistan. Many arrive without a stich of civies (Civilian Clothes) in 120 degree weather. They need summer clothes i.e. T-Shirts (simple without political statements) that they can wear off base or around camp, shorts, swimsuits (No thongs or speedos, please) and more shorts. Everything needs to be in good taste so they can go on off base excursions without raising eybrows with the outside folks (Indigenous Personnel).

...The Quatar PX (Commissary Store) is small, sparsely stocked. CARE Packages are welcome with items like:

...Kool Aid, sunblock, BEEF Jerky, music; comics, the usual.

Mail Items to:

ARCENT-QA // ATTN: DOL // R & R Clothing Drive // APO AE Q9898 //

[McGavin999]

OK, I'm headed to Wal-Mart! Costco is right next door.

[Howlin]

Oh, Tex, that is SO wonderful.........I know you are counting the days!

I thought you could link this over to your weekly thread!

[MJY1288]

Thanks for the reminder ping, I already have packed one big box full of summer clothes and will pack another tomorrow full of movies, tapes, sunblock, beef jerkey, powdered drinks, and a few pairs of sandles.

God Bless our brave troops

[Fizzie]

I work for a major corporation which has some of this stuff. Will make sure it happens. We sent care packages early in the war, and got the greatest pictures back from the very appreciative recipients. Do you think they would like golf caps too? Might be good for the bald guys and the gals with bad hair days.

Thanks for doing this!

[Right_in_Virginia]

Just confirming this is the address:

Care
ARCENT-QA
ATTN: DOL
R&R Clothing Drive
APO AE 09898

Thanks...and thanks for posting this! Will send shorts and tees.

[TexKat]

I will Howlin.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Do you think they would like golf caps too?"

I'm sure they would.
BTW The Thanks belong to Ragtime Cowgirl for starting this
and ALOHA RONNIE for posting the thread.
All I did was ping my list.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Oh my! Thank you, Ronnie! That'll teach me for not checking my comments, lol.

A few things to know about Qatar:

Miscellaneous Information

Current exchange rate is fixed at: $1 = 3.63 Qatari Riyals.

There are no government laundry/dry cleaning facilities available in Qatar. However, commercial cleaners are plentiful and inexpensive. All individuals must pay for their own cleaning cost. A laundry service is available on post.

Do's and Don'ts:

Do remember that Qatar is a Muslim country and you need to dress appropriately. Both men and women should only wear shorts and sleeveless tops at the beach or around a private enclosed pool.

Do be prepared to bargain with shop-keepers - especially in the Souqs (street markets).

Do make sure to drink plenty of water, and watch for potential heat injuries, especially in the summer months. On average you should drink one pint of water for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit (80 degrees = 8 pints/day). Headaches, nausea, and excessive sweat are some of the signs that you are dehydrating and overheating.

Do remember to protect yourself from the sun. A head cover is recommended to prevent severe sunburn. Sun block is also recommended.

Do ask permission from people before taking their photograph. Many of the older people and most of the host nation women object to having their picture taken. Most government buildings, police, and armed forces buildings are off-limits for casual photography. When in doubt, ask first.

Don't wade in the coastal waters barefoot. Poisonous stone-fish frequent the shallows. They look like rocks but inject a poison into your foot when stepped on.

Don't forget to use sun block on any exposed skin.

Don't cross your feet in such a way as to expose the bottoms of your feet to Qatari hosts. Showing the bottoms of ones feet is considered an insult.

Don't be afraid to go out at night, especially in the markets, malls, and along the Corniche.

Don't use hand over or receive items with your left hand. Don't use your left hand to pick up food if eating with your fingers. Muslim convention holds that the left hand is reserved for "bodily functions".
~~~
Don't forget to watch for camels crossing the roads outside of town. These large animals can prove fatal upon impact with a vehicle. Camels are also a highly valued animal, with prices starting at $100,000QR ($27,548 U.S.).

Don't speed. Qatar police use high-speed photography and radar traps to catch those violating the speed limit. Fines start at $200QR. Driving through a stoplight is a minimum of $1000QR.

http://www-qa.arcent.army.mil/misc/index.html

Freepers are the best!

[fatima]

Bump.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I'll ask, HOYA. Maybe we can match you up with a Freeper who enjoys shopping and has experience shipping to the troops. Thank you!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks for the offer, Mr. K. Take one small request and put Freepers behind it - good things happen.

A mailing list could be very useful in the future.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, MJY1288 !

 

[Cate]

My son is over there and I sent him a soft sided pool, beach towel, sunscreen, shorts, thongs (as in wearing on the feet) and a cheap pair of sunglasses. He called and said the prize was great, they used the pool once and then he gave it to some little kids over there. He said the kids could not believe someone would give them such an expensive gift. I look at my neighbors yard and see thousands of dollars in toys laying all over, and say 'THANK GOD' we live in the USA and have an abundance of everything.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, Tonkin!

A small note - shorts aren't appropriate off base in QATAR - according to Army info - so lightweight, comfy pants might be welcome, too.

 

Shipping tips: www.oconus.com

 

 

Some background on ARCENT - QATAR: http://www-qu.arcent.army.mil/ 

(www'dash', not www'dot')

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, bentfeather!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

 

Thank you, boxerblues!

 

 

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

You guys are the best!

Thanks, swheats!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Mr. Silverback, THANK YOU!

 

Letting our troops know we care about them back home - priceless!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

ALOHA RONNIE, just thank you. Sniff.

 

Be back soon, and as long as it takes until we fill the PX with JOY.

 

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for the pings, Howlin. Not sure about 'good used' - will know tomorrow and ping you. ALOHA RONNIE posted this thread and offered to bring his kindness to the cause as host - while I was still trying to cut through corporate red tape. Freepers are good people.