Care Packages for US Troops
 

I was just watching the news and the Carolina chapter of the Red Cross along with Food Lion has started a CARE PACKAGES to US Troops called Sack of Smiles. This will most likely be Student Council's service project for the remainder of the school year. I was just passing it along in case anyone else has an interest in doing it either through your job, church, chapter, neighborhood, dorm, college, etc. etc.

For those in North Carolina, here is the exact information from the website. For others, you will have to contact your local Red Cross to see if they have a similar project. No matter how we feel about war, we all know someone or know someone who knows someone who is over there fighting. :(

http://www.redcrosshelps.org/news/sack_of_smiles.htm

Help Red Cross Send "Sacks O' Smiles" to Military Personnel Overseas

The American Red Cross is collecting small, fun items to create "Sacks O' Smiles" for military personnel deployed to active duty. The specific, approved items will be sorted, bagged and shipped to troops by Red Cross volunteers at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, NC.

Local Red Cross volunteers, including members of Charlotte's VFW Post 1160, will accept items Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Red Cross offices in the following locations:

2425 Park Road in Charlotte
1930 Jake Alexander Blvd. West in Salisbury
145 W. Statesville Avenue in Mooresville
167 Union Street in Concord
125 N. Tradd Street in Statesville
190 S Oakland Street in Gastonia (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
608 E. Franklin Street in Monroe (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
200 Piedmont Blvd in Rock Hill (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
215 Patton Drive, Shelby
243 W. Main Street, Albemarle


Items approved by the U.S. military, small enough to all fit into a 1 gallon Ziplock storage bag "Sack O' Smiles," include drink mix with sugar or Nutrasweet, playing cards, travel board games, latest novels, small packs of nabs, pre-packaged cookies, individually wrapped hard candy, baby wipes, sunscreen, and Chapstick. -- WHAT ARE NABS?? :confused:

Also, American Red Cross Greater Carolinas Chapter is accepting financial contributions to support its Armed Forces and Emergency Services (AFES) program which serves local military personnel and their families. To contribute, mail checks or money orders to AFES, c/o American Red Cross Greater Carolinas Chapter, P.O. Box 36507, Charlotte, NC 28236 or make secure online donations by credit card.

Since its founding in 1881, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response agency. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to victims of war, Red Cross also aids victims of natural disasters as well as offering community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.

No 'TP' for Troops Overseas
Updated: Saturday, Mar. 22, 2003 - 10:09 AM EST.
The most proficient and sophisticated military in the world is missing one of the most basic elements of human survival: toilet paper.

The most proficient and sophisticated military in the world is missing one of the most basic elements of human survival: toilet paper. All the high-tech gadgets and million dollar weapons are useless for overseas troops trying to go about their daily business.The Sun-Sentinel in South Florida reported this week the more than 300,000 troops are responsible for their own toilet paper. But the extended stay in Kuwait and other foreign cities has depleted the supply.

Family members have been shipping toilet paper to loved ones and now other Americans can do so too. Operation USO Care Package is approved by the Defense Department , and provides a safe, easy way for individuals and corporations to send food, packages and yes, some Charmin overseas.

Donations can be sent to:

USO World Headquarters
P.O. Box 70264
Washington, D.C. 20024

The things we take for granted.

No wonder the troops come back going ballistic and just plain bonkers. NO TP! How is one to react?

:eek:

I think that you were misinformed. Each unit in the military has a supply sergeant that provides toilet tissue for their soldiers. Being that I have several friends deployed and being prior military for almost 10 years, toilet tissue was never an issue during deployment. Soldiers may request baby wipes to use after they use the latrine or just to stay fresh because of all the dirt. The military is well stocked when it comes to toilet tissue.

Well thanks for the clarification. I received it from an Alpha on a listserve who received it from an 06/08 listserve.

At any rate, REMEMBER to support the troops. If there is anyway you can support the troops with care packages, do so.

EXTRA, EXTRA: Us folk who aren’t on the frontline defending this country overseas can now do our part to help the troops know that they are in our hearts and souls. We can make the holidays brighter for America's men and women in uniform by sending a soldier a Thanksgiving or Christmas care package through Treats for Troops, a new online gift shop featuring everything from Thanksgiving treats to stuffed stockings, holiday cookies, candy and gifts and even a decorated Christmas tree with battery powered lights. Since opening this past summer, Treats for Troops’ well-stocked online store have been a source for family, friends and even corporations to send hundreds of packages to soldiers serving everywhere from Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia to Germany and Korea. "We have hundreds of men and women from every branch of service and just about every state registered with our Foster-A-Soldier Program," says Deborah Crane, president of the Denver based company that specializes in sending soldiers packages. "The holidays are an especially hard time for soldiers to be away from home." The online store is loaded with holiday gifts, including some packages big enough to treat several soldiers to a happier holiday. A Thanksgiving package or generously stuffed Christmas stocking is just $24.95. Visit the Gift Shop at http://www.treatsfortroops.com …