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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> Christmas Gifts for Our Troops
        
(Message started by: cynjeep89 on Nov 9^th, 2007, 7:15pm)

Title: Christmas Gifts for Our Troops
Post by cynjeep89 on Nov 9^th, 2007, 7:15pm

Okay, I know it may be a bit early to think about Christmas but if anyone is interested in sending gifts to some of our troops, here is a link to a great site started by a fellow Delawarean.

http://www.operationac.com/index.html

This organization began by sending air conditioners to the troops but has grown since its early days and now has a "store" where you can pick specific items that the soldier needs.

If anyone else has addies of other organizations, please add them on to this thread. Maybe we can help to make someone's holiday a little brighter.

Title: Re: Christmas Gifts for Our Troops
Post by Linda_Howell on Nov 9^th, 2007, 7:23pm

Cyn, that is such a great idea. Thank you.

I can't find it right now but Melissa, posted some sites about sending our troops things they need, a while back.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate the true spiirt of Christmas than this.

Title: Re: Christmas Gifts for Our Troops
Post by cynjeep89 on Nov 9^th, 2007, 7:38pm

Linda,

The site I posted above is very cool.

You can adopt a soldier from your home state or from anywhere in the USA. The soldier you adopt, makes a list of items that he/she needs from the store, you select the item you wish to sell and the organization takes care of the packaging and shipping.

The items in the store range from about $4.00 to around $90 so there is something most people can afford.

I have been dealing with operationac for a while now and know it's one of the most legit and amazing organizations around.

They work closely with a local Harley shop here in Delaware and sponsor a boot drive to send hundreds of boots to the troops a few times a year.

Title: Re: Christmas Gifts for Our Troops
Post by Melissa on Nov 9^th, 2007, 8:44pm

http://www.anysoldier.com/

and

http://www.opgratitude.com

Title: Re: Christmas Gifts for Our Troops
Post by Rosybabe on Nov 9^th, 2007, 8:51pm

My stepson always had these requests for his care packages from us: underwear, socks, wipes, toothpaste, toohbrushes, q-tips, lipbalm, hand warmers ,instant chocolate coffee and instant ready mix drink tubes (like kool-aid). For christmas we sent a bg box of divinity. he said the guys loved it!! :D

Title: Re: Christmas Gifts for Our Troops
Post by cynjeep89 on Nov 9^th, 2007, 9:00pm

Thanks for those sites, Mel.

If anyone here has a family member who would like to receive a care package, maybe they could let us know, pm us their address and a list of what they need so we could send them some gifts from home.

Title: Re: Christmas Gifts for Our Troops
Post by Linda_Howell on Nov 9^th, 2007, 9:31pm

That's the one Mel, Thanks.

I thought becoming a rider for the Patriot Guard defending the families of fallen soldiers from those whacko protesters who would spit on and protest at the funerals of our brave men was good. Actually going out and spending money and having fun at buying things for the troops that are there right now at this very second and away from their families....well that is a VERY good thing.

I urge you all to do this. Please. It's a great way to teach your kids that It's NOT "all about them."
Let them help you pick out the things these soldiers will need...at the same time you can give them good life lessons about giving.

Title: Re: Christmas Gifts for Our Troops
Post by cheese whiz on Nov 9^th, 2007, 9:42pm

So Cyn....I get on your "Operation AC" website and look around.

What I saw was shameful !!! Our guys need TOOTHPASTE !!!

What the hell are we doing !!

We cant supply our soldiers with socks? toothpaste? gloves? antiperspirant?????

For Christ sake !!!

I found a guy and sent him some mechanics gloves and 2 boxes of Girl Scout cookies.

And I boo hoo when the pastrami I got at Wal Mart wasn't as flavorful as last weeks ::)

Anyways, thanks for the link.

I must admit, it feels good to help one of them young guys. I'll bet the boxes of G/S cookies will make his day.

Cheers, Dave

Title: Re: Christmas Gifts for Our Troops
Post by cheese whiz on Nov 9^th, 2007, 9:47pm

on 11/09/07 at 21:00:14, cynjeep89 wrote:

Exactly....The Operation AC is great. But I could send a few guys things pretty cheaply.

Soap, deodorant, socks and such are cheap as hell at Wal Mart.

All I would need is an address to send it to in Iraq or APO FPO or whatever the military uses to get things to the guys/ gals.

Frankly, I am ashamed of the Gooberment for not supplying them with the basics >:(

Title: Re: Christmas Gifts for Our Troops
Post by cynjeep89 on Nov 9^th, 2007, 10:01pm

Dave,

John and I have a friend named Jeff (USMC) who served 3 tours in Iraq.

As Linda said, I had such a blast shopping for things to put into his care packages. All he ever asked for were things such as Black and Mild cigars, Slim Jims and Wawa coffee which I made sure to include in his care packages along with all sorts of other things.

When Jeff returned home, he told me how much he laughed at the Slinky toy that was included in one of his care packages. He and his buddies passed many hours playing with it.

Yup, operation ac is one hell of an organization. Here is just a small part of what they have done:

Spent on our troops

(June 03 - March 2007)
Air Conditioners - $618,867.27
Civil Affairs Items - $425.86
Food and Water - $19,202.94
Combat Boots - $465,179.32
Heaters - $248,116.70
Ice Machines - $12,667.30
Medical Supplies - $57,124.17
Mini Refrigerators - $6,805.69
Bedding and Comfort - $7,531.15
Donated Packages - $15,876.99
Clothing, Socks and Gloves - $112,203.16
Books, Games, TV, VCR DVD, Etc. - $71,135.65
Christmas Trees - $181,853.86
Entertainment - Other $2,171.00
Family Support - $38,029.30
Hygiene Products - $70,442.09
Non-Combat Support Equipment - $168,012.00
Communication - $21,454.17
Company, Brigade, Battalion level support - $116,157.99
Personal Medical Supplies - $2,444.55
Tools, Electrical & Construct. - $64,004.23
Necessities - Other - $525.75

Total Troop Supplies $2,300,231.14
Postage and Delivery $446,943.14

Title: Re: Christmas Gifts for Our Troops
Post by Karla on Nov 9^th, 2007, 10:43pm

If you go to www.marineparents.com under the heading Support our troops there are links to send cards and letters to troops injured or overseas. There is also a care project link to send items overseas or donate cash for one time only or support a soldier for 6 months for $22/month.