19 replies to this topic

[Marion1336]

I like to bake this time of year and I'd like to include packages to those who are away from home. If you know of anyone who wants to receive some cookies, post your/their address. Anyone have an idea how long packages generally take to deliver?

If there is a great demand, maybe we can even recruit some more bakers??

[Bubble2Bubble]

Thats a good idea Marion

I'll call a friend of mine tomorrow and get the address
of her son which is over there now, and find out info on shipping
and the time frame we have left. I'm sure its going to be ASAP.

I will post back here tomorrow.




B2B

[WreckWench]

Great idea Marion! SD is going to be sponsoring an entire unit this holiday and I hope to have the details shortly so we can get them goodies in time for the holidays! I'll be posting the details shortly! -ww

[Bubble2Bubble]

Marion
I talked with Jess's mom this morning
and she said that we probably wouldnt make it in time for Christmas
but anything we can send would be Greatly appreciated !

I'm pming you his address.


WW
Let me know how I can help there also.

I would cook but the EPA and FDA has not released me to do
cooking yet after my spagetti sauce was mistaken for an chemical
weapon

B2B

[Marion1336]

Great! I'd like to get out what I can via Priority Mail by the end of the week.

[triggerfish]

you guys do know it'll take forever to get stuff to the middle east, right?
when we sent packages to my buddy when he was in afghanistan, we shipped them in late november...and they barely made it there in time for christmas...

granted, these were huge shipments.....hopefully cookies will get there quicker!

oh! and here's a tip:
any crumbly edibles we sent were packed in the cheap ziplock throwaway containers. we then double-bagged them in ziplock bags and packed them in a larger shipping box; instead of using packaging material, we used tshirts and kids' clothes which the troops gave to the afghanis. that way everybody gets something for christmas

[WreckWench]

you guys do know it'll take forever to get stuff to the middle east, right?
when we sent packages to my buddy when he was in afghanistan, we shipped them in late november...and they barely made it there in time for christams...

granted, these were huge shipments.....hopefully cookies will get there quicker!

oh! and here's a tip:
any crumbly edibles we sent were packed in the cheap ziplock throwaway containers. we then double-bagged them in ziplock bags and packed them in a larger shipping box; instead of using packaging material, we used tshirts and kids' clothes which the troops gave to the afghanis. that way everybody gets something for christmas

Eileen that is an awesome suggestion! Thanks! -ww

[BradfordNC]

Great! I'd like to get out what I can via Priority Mail by the end of the week.

don't bother wasting the extra money to send it priority mail.

just send it as the cheapest thing the post office has going.

all the addresses are going to be to a military APO.

that APO is in New York.

if you send it priority, or express, or double-secret express, it will only get to the New York APO at that speed. then it gets handed over to the military.

mail is flown Space-Available, meaning, if there is room in a plane, they will throw it in there, but it is NOT a priority, and will sit until there is room. depending on the number of different flights it gets on, it can take a loooooong time to get downrange.

normal letters are no problem, they fit in a bag, and are easy to throw in the plane, and later the helo.

but boxes and packages are a bit more difficult.

figure it will take at LEAST a month to get to where its going. if it shows up sooner than that, well, that Christmas any day of the year. surprise surprise, you got mail, it's muh birthday, lets open the presents.

oh yeah, and don't bother insuring the package, or anything like that, the insurance is only good until it hits the APO, after that, there is no gaurentee.

think about it, its goin to a war zone. that invalidates all insurance.

but send packages, and cookies, and all the other good stuff. it is all appreciated.

[texasmermaid]

Thanks for the info on the time it takes to get mail over there. Imagine it is like Christmas any day that packages arrive.

We may be a little late on Christmas, but we have plenty of time for Valentine's Day! If everyone is interested in keeping it holiday-themed, we should be able to ship by early Jan. and have things arrive right in time. Anyone going on the Cozy trip will just have to get it done before leaving. Or we can just send packages for 'whenever' since they will be appreciated no matter. I'm up for either way.

[WreckWench]

By jove Marion...I think you've landed on a smashing good idea! I'll have our unit we are sponsoring later this week. I've gotten a list of things that the guys are typically not getting so we can pool these items for them. We'll start a wave of boxes so that they flow with some regularity to the unit. As long as we are overseas...our goodie boxes will flow to the guys. If we need more units we'll get them. The one I'm getting has a high number of guys who are not getting any mail or pkgs or rarely getting anything from home.

And Brad....wish I'd read this earlier...I could have saved a few bucks when I put a pkg out priority to across the pond. Oh well...live and learn. -ww

[drdiver]

Some of our guys and gals that you can still get cards and presents to are our wounded heroes in military hospitals.

One place that comes to mind

Medical Family Assistance Center
Walter Reed Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001

Just a thought.

D

[WreckWench]

Thanks DrDiver...that is a great thought! Let's add that to the list. Perhaps you can find out the best way to direct our card writing efforts for us! -ww

[drdiver]

Here's another link for those who would like to donate something to the wounded.

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/



Freedom isn't free.

[Dejah]

Hey if someone is sending cookies or something over to the guys let me know I would like to participate in either baking something for them or any of the above.

Dejah

[Marion1336]

Hey if someone is sending cookies or something over to the guys let me know I would like to participate in either baking something for them or any of the above.

Dejah

I've got two names I'm sending packages to this week. If I get any more PM's with addresses, I'll let you know. It's always good to reference some kind of personal contact as to how you got their name.