[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Letters, Small Packages Get to Troops Quicker
["The ideal size is a shoebox"]
PING
Thank You Ragtime Cowgirl

“Operation USO Care Package”
Delivers Needed Items and Personal Messages to
Service Members Deployed Overseas
You, Too, Can Show a Service Member You Care

With thousands of U.S. troops deployed around the world, still actively engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom and the fight against terrorism, the United Service Organizations (USO) is offering a unique way for individuals and corporations to let our nation's defenders know we haven't forgotten them. “Operation USO Care Package,” sponsored by the USO World Headquarters and administered by the USO of Metropolitan Washington (USO-Metro), enables individuals to write a personal message and financially support care packages that will be delivered to service members participating in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Because of heightened security, individuals can no longer send letters and packages to 'Any Service Member.' Operation USO Care Package is approved by the Department of Defense, providing a safe, easy way for individuals and corporations to show their prayers and thoughts are with our men and women in uniform.

Corporations may also contribute to this program through financial contributions, items donated in bulk for the care packages, or through implementation of an employee participation program. AT&T is a major supporter of this program, providing a complimentary toll free number for individuals to call for further information (1-866-USO-GIVE) and donating thousands of prepaid international phone cards to be included in the packages for the troops. “Our men and women in uniform give so much to the country, we wanted to give something in return as a token of our appreciation that would allow their separation from their loved ones to be a little easier,” according to Paul McQuillan, Defense Sales Vice President, AT&T Government Solutions.

“These Care Packages help the USO bring a touch of home to our men and women in uniform,” said Edward A. Powell, President and CEO of USO World Headquarters. The care packages contain an assortment of items the military have specifically requested, such as prepaid international calling cards, disposable cameras, toiletries, and sunscreen. They also include greetings from the American public, transcribed onto official “Operation USO Care Package” post cards by volunteers and USO staff members.

“Operation USO Care Package will continue for as long as our country is at war,” according to Elaine Rogers, USO-Metro President. “This program is possible because of the support from individuals, corporations and organizations that donate funds to sponsor these care packages.”

Individuals and corporations can learn more about how to get involved and support “Operation USO Care Package” through donations of product or funds, by calling 866-USO-GIVE.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT OPERATION USO CARE PACKAGE?

• Individuals may donate $25, which goes toward sponsorship of an “Operation USO Care Package.” Personal greetings may be forwarded to our post office box with the contribution. USO will transcribe the message onto an official “Operation USO Care Package” postcard, available for preview here.
• Corporations may make a tax-deductible financial donation to support “Operation USO Care Package.” A $25 donation goes toward sponsorship of one care package. Each care package will recognize corporate sponsors.
• Corporations may donate items listed on the “Service Members’ Wish List” to USO-Metro, many of which may be branded with your corporate logo. These items must be sent in bulk from the manufacturer. Please call (703) 696-2628 for advance coordination of deliveries.
• Corporations may delegate an employee to serve as its “Operation USO Care Package” liaison. The liaison will communicate your corporate involvement and enlist employees to participate. Employee participants could sponsor an individual care package, which would include their personal message. Corporations interested in participating in this option or willing to match their employees’ support should call (703) 696-2628 for further information.

Please send all checks and personal greetings for “Operation USO Care Package” to:
USO-Operation USO Care Package
C/O Pentagon Federal Credit Union
P.O. Box 19221
Alexandria, VA 22320-9998

Due to the threat of anthrax following September 11, DoD suspended its practice of forwarding personal care packages and correspondence by the American public to “Any Service Member.” In its place, USO created a care package program. Through sponsorship of an “Operation USO Care Package,” an individual’s personal greeting will be transcribed onto an official postcard and included in the care package going to a service member.

MAKE YOUR DONATION NOW!

SERVICE MEMBERS' WISH LIST
Travel Size Personal Items*	Miscellaneous Items*
Disposable Razors	Playing Cards and Board Games
Toothbrushes	Compact Discs
Toothpaste	Current Movies on DVD
Tissues	Crossword Puzzle Books
Shampoo/Conditioner	Disposable Cameras
Shower Gel	Pre-paid Global Calling Cards
Sunscreen	Stationery and Journals
Baby Wipes	Sunglasses
Hand Lotion	Small Footballs, Softballs
Lip Balm	CD/DVD Cases with Zipper
Cotton Swabs	Individually Wrapped Snack Items
Sewing Kits	Shoe Polish Kits
*Many of these items may be imprinted with your corporate logo and /or the USO logo.

These are two of the many links in the USO Canteen Post Office.

The Blue Star Mothers now have an area on their forum
where people can send messages to our troops.
They are printed by families and placed in care packages and letters.
These messages can go to any area where our troops are located.

CLICK BELOW TO SEND YOUR MESSAGE



CLICK BELOW for more info.

[ladtx]

...Small Packages Get to Troops Quicker ["The ideal size is a shoebox"]

Need to show this to Mrs ladtx. She keeps sending boxes the size of small refridgerators and wonders why it takes so long.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, Tonkin! Great info.

I know many Freepers have their own special projects for the troops. Wouldn't a general FR 'care package' / drive thread(s) be great? Freepers could share their own experiences, hints. There are Freepers with money who hate shopping, and Freepers who love shopping who would do even more with $$ help. We tried to pair 'em up at the clothing drive thread.

A general 'care package' thread would also let the troops see what's being done for them back home each week, and how glad the people are to be doing it for them.

Plug for the ARCENT crew:

Our Hero Soldiers need Civvies & Things for Qatar R & R:
***  Clothing Drive through December. ***

[Soaring Feather]

Please send all checks and personal greetings for “Operation USO Care Package” to: USO-Operation USO Care Package C/O Pentagon Federal Credit Union P.O. Box 19221 Alexandria, VA 22320-9998

Donation on the way Tonkin.

[blackie]

Support Our Troops ... BUMP!

[M0sby]

I used this site below to send 3 packages to Dan... he got them all in a VERY TIMELY manner and said they were GREAT!!!

This site is hard to navigate though, so I have linked directly to the care package page... (I HOPE).

The cost was ONLY $10.00 which is WAY less than it would have cost me to buy and send the items...

Anyway, it was a GOOD experience and I thought I would share!!!

Tonk,
PLEASE BUMP IF YOU THINK IT'S A GOOD ONE.

 

 http://www.operationmom.org/cart.html

 

---

 

"OUR FAMILY - YOUR FREEDOM"

 

"A Little Touch of Home"

(Click on GENERAL INFORMATION and then

PRODUCTS to find

CARE PACKAGES)

---

If the Gift Box is intended for a particular person, please list their name and military address in the comments section of PayPal. If you desire to pay by check, order normally but click that option. Under comments, please indicate same. Send check to: P.O. BOX 1096 ANTIOCH CA 94509

Sponsor A Gift Box The $10.00 donation covers the entire cost of postage for each gift box that goes out to our service personnel that we have obtained names and addresses for from their families and friends. This addresses the most recent D.O.D. memorandum concerning the sending of unsolicited packages. You may also submit a name and address to us which will be kept strictly confidential. Items inside the gift box have already been donated to us for free. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to be active in Operation: MOM, and for a military member to receive this special token of your thanks. Inside the gift box will bear a label wth your name alongside Operation: MOM's as the provider of that gift box. Give as many as you would like. Each donation here will enable one military member to obtain a gift box.

[radu]

Thanks for the ping, Tonk.

The USO Canteen Post Office is such a treasure trove of info for those who looking for different ways to show support for the troops. Thanks for posting some of the links here and for filling the Post Office with so much wonderful info. I've certainly made use of several things there, as have sooooo many others. :-)