You can support the individuals without supporting the war.

[kragore]

It's interesting.

I tell people I'm buying kids toys one year, and everyone and their third cousin crawls out of the woodwork to donate.

I tell people I'm sending simple care packages to soldier overseas, and not a peep out of anyone.

***



GySgt Ingo Rasch, at sea, Marine.
"This is this units second deployment within one year, and many of my Marines have not had the time or oportunity to prepare themselves as best as they should had in regards to personal equipment. I also have several Marines whom are single and are spending their first Christmas away from home, and any letters from the states might brighten the eyes and smiles of my Marines."

1 box containing:
1 small MagLite ($9.99)
crackers (1.99 for 12)
hard candy ($2.99)
Sunflower seeds ($.69 each)
peanuts ($.99 each)
Halls vitimin drops ($2.49)
tissues (2 for $1.00)
1 lb ground coffee ($4.99)
powdered creamer ($2.50)
granola bars ($3.00)
gum ($1.99 for 10)
Cristal light (for individual bottles) ($3.50)


Tim Simmons, Afganistan, Air Force
"Bottomline: The troops would appreciate just about anything."

1 box containing:
tea (From my stash)
granola bars ($3.00)
Cracker Jacks ($1.99 for 3, I think)
tissues(2 for $1)
peanuts ($.99)
sunflower seeds ($.69)
hard candy ($2.99)
crackers (see above)
Halls vitimin drops ($2.49)
Ground Coffee ($4.99)
DelMonte Fruit cups ($2.50)
Gum ($.30 each)

PV2 Eric R. Coats, Iraq, Army
"Realy, anything is greatly appreciated."

1 box containing:
tea (from my stash)
Lemon throat drops ($1.99)
granola bars ($1.99)
Cracker Jacks (see above)
Peanutbutter crackers (see above)
Cheese Crackers (see above)
peanuts (see above)
trail mix ($1.25)
sunflower seeds
hard candy (2 for $1)
gum (see above)
candy fruit slices ($2.99)
2 DVD set - John Wayne "McClintock" and another one I can't remember ($5.50)

SPC Timothy Graham, in Iraq, Army
"... I have a young squad of guys, most not married with little family contacting them, or sending them things."

1 box containing:
"Evolution" on DVD ($5.50)
Peanutbutter crackers (see above)
Cheese Crackers (see above)
peanuts (see above)
trail mix (see above)
sunflower seeds (see above)
gum (see above)
Notecards to send home to family ($2.50)
candy fruit slices (see above)
granola bars (see above)
cherry throat drops (see above)
pens ($1.99 for 12)
paper ($1)
Cristal Light (for individual bottles)


***

As you can see, this is not a difficult thing, nor is it really that expensive, especially if you spread it out over multiple trips. "Oh, I'm at the store, I'll pick up a few extra of X." 4 boxes at once was. Adverage shipping is $7.00 per box.

Since there was absolutely no interest from anyone else for this, I've made up the boxes, sent one out today, and will be sending off the last of them next week (after the holiday rush.)



Count your blessings that there are still people who volunteer to do our government's dirty work, and we aren't made to serve.

- k.

Comments

[safirasilv.livejournal.com]

In my case, it wasn't a political statement, but an economic problem on our end, and more to the point, a lack of organization.

[shu-al.livejournal.com]

I was slow to respond, there's interest here, just glitch in communication...I'll send out directly.

[orionsmom.livejournal.com]

Wow... I didn't know you were doing this. I've been writing letters about random things to folks over seas for about a year now. One a month.

Sometimes its just silly stories that I make up. Sometimes, its something more like a journal post. Just talking about life, and the people I see every day on the way into work.

None of them have written back nor have I received any indication that anyone has received them. But I do it anyways, hoping they bring a smile to someone.

[indigoserenity.livejournal.com]

I was hoping that since you said they needed stuff throughout the year, I could tend to it after the holidays/wedding/honeymoon when my brain returns. Please let me know if you do intend to keep this up after the holidays. I would love to help out.

Bah!

[pelgar.livejournal.com]

I must have missed your post or i would have picked something up.
I know these things are greatly appreciated by the troops. I dropped off a handful of books at the Hannaford in Concord last week for their care-package.
Books = teh small, and no batteries required
I don't think i ever went to a field exercise, or on a deployment, that I didn't have 5 or 6 books in my pack. I was nicknamed the "Company Librarian."

Um..

[embermwe.livejournal.com]

I know that when you first mentioned it, I meant to get involved, but my good intentions got lost in my aforementioned stress and ostrich~apathy over other issues previously noted. It was a really good feeling to be involved in your christmas efforts last year. It helped as never before to bring home the real spirit of the holiday for me.
I'm really sorry that I dropped the ball this year on it. If there is still anything specific that you can suggest for your last package, or to help in any ongoing effort, please let me know and I will try to refocus a bit and get my act together.
That being said, for future reference, I would like to note to you for consideration a few other differences between the two situations that I think might help affect better future results.

1)Christmas is most noted as a holiday for family and for children. This meant that your plea for a local orphan child was destined to be much more compelling with many folks than a plea for adults who have a job, albeit an unpleasant one, and who I at least imagined had family at home to help with such things.

2)There has been so much tragedy in the last few months that many folks sense of charity is a bit threadbare. Some folks are also having their own issues on a more personal level recently, and have family and friends who need help too this season and thus are a bit preoccupied.

2)Your plea for the orphan was for specific needs with a person (a name and some background)attached. Your plea for the servicemen was general lacking names and faces or specific needs. That can be a bit overwhelming, particularly at this time of year when so many folk are already somewhat overwhelmed.
If you have ever taken any Red Cross courses, they usually stress the point that when asking for aid it really helps galvanize folks if you are specific about needs. Generalized pleas tend to get lost in the hubbub. Your inclusion of some names and quotes in this missive helped to refocus it some for me.
Perhaps in future choosing a small list of specific items needed, and noting a contact name and perhaps a unit name and location or duty specification for the sponsored unit would help friends focus on the reality of the people involved and feel less overwhelmed. As in the case of your orphan you may find that the reaction to it allows you to help more than just the group specified.

Again. If I haven't said it enough that you got it hun, YOU ROCK. Thanks for booting us all in the butt and helping us remember the real spirit of the season.

Re: Um..

[kragore.livejournal.com]

You've had a few things on your mind. :)

I'm going to try to work on getting it more organized... and keep your points in mind while doing it.

- k.

[missfirefly.livejournal.com]

I too know people in Iraq. I also know someone with a 2 and 4 year onld child getting ready to ship out soon. He will miss an entire year of their lives. At that age, he will truly be missing what no man should have to miss. His children will be different people when he comes home.

I know that you can support the person without supporting the war. My choice not to donate has to due with my inability to do so. I wish I had the funds to contribute to your efforts. I believe that they are noble.

They're organizations that collect items for the families of those who are diployed. If you would like to take on a task for that I have clothes from Vanessa I would be happy to donate. Or, I could donate them on my own as a show of support to your cause.

[kragore.livejournal.com]

(see most recent post for explanation of minor vent)

That is absolutely more than fine. I'll look into what organizations there are to support the families, for you.

Vanessa's growing like a weed!
- k.

[garou43.livejournal.com]

hehehehe. weed.

[kragore.livejournal.com]

thought you'd like that...
- k.