How can I support our troops ?

Factual Questions
1

If the organization that I work with organized a bunch of donations of supplies to send to our troops, how would I know where to send it ?

Thanks.

2

International Red Cross ( after all the Red Cross nonsense…I know)

Witht the IRC, the troops get help and the people they are trying to help get help.

3

The USO offers almost direct support, straight to the troops:

4

You can get your “own” soldier via “Adopt-A-Platoon” at adoptaplatoon.org. It used to be you could send stuff to “any soldier” but due to security concerns, no more. You must send it to someone specifically.

Also, the 2nd platoon of the 1-64 Armor have a website that gives an address for mailing stuff. I suspect theyre damn well supported, but I am sure they share whatever they get. My soldier is in this armor group but this isn’t his platoon or company.

http://www.angelfire.com/ga4/2ndplatoon/index.html

Go to “PT Wishlist” for an address. Thing is, they don’t have their unit number on there, which is important now that they are moving around so much. Instead of just the APO AE, there should be two lines at the end, which read:

Unit # 93206
APO AE 09303-3206

You will need a customs form; the post office will help you.

5

What would be good things to send? I’m thinking things that won’t melt/spoil in the Iraqi sun…

6

Pay your taxes. Early, if you can. If you’re due a refund, wait until April 15th to file. You can even volunteer to overpay.

7

I’m sorry, but why would I want to overpay my taxes? How does that help our troops?

Besides, I pay them every pay period.

8

Homie,

Good things to send:

  • Phone cards that can be used internationally
  • Snacks, like crackers, cookies, potato chips and nuts. These should be packed so they don’t get squished.
  • AA batteries
  • Baby wipes or bath wipes (a godsend in a dusty place with no regular chance to get a shower)
  • Good toilet paper (Charmin, etc.)
9

A friend’s brother-in-law has been in Afghanistan for the last year or so and she says he loves receiving my handmade soaps. Apparently the military issue toiletries are pretty no-frills (if not downright crappy) and the soaps were a big hit. Maybe if you can get your hands on some fancy (yet manly, if your soldier is male) soaps/shampoos/shaving creams/etc you might add them. (I’m guessing a peppermint foot scrub/wash might make someone in those situations weep with joy.)

10

I heard a woman on NPR the other day listing the following items which are welcome:

Pantyhose - no, not for wearing. For inserting their guns into. The nylon net keeps that fine powdery dust out.

Clothespins.

Hacky sacks.

Disinfectant handy-wipes.

Little travel-size toiletries like shampoo, soap, lotion.

Clif Bars, Power Bars.

Powdered sports drinks.

(My own suggestion): Go to a used sports equipment shop, and get them a few baseball gloves and baseballs.

11

Write your Congressperson and the President. Tell them you want the soldiers back home so that they and their loved ones can get their lives back. Also, go to the next anti-war demonstration with a sigh that says, “SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME”.

Howzat?