Information for the Community
Provided courtesy of the New Hampshire Reserve Officers Association Thank you for supporting our troops I have compiled this guide which provides online and local resources for those seeking information or wanting to provide care packages, etc. for deployed troops. This is only a guide there are many other sources available through national organizations like the Red Cross and the USO. If there are any suggestions or comments on this guide, please send them to me and I will update it. At the bottom of this flyer there is a general list of items you can send overseas or bring to the package coordinators for shipment. Thank you for supporting our troops. Their morale is greatly enhanced when you send them items from home. It shows we care! Sincerely, David J Kenney LCDR, USNR President NH ROA Email: nhroa@tiac.net Ph: (603) 585-3353www.military.com This is one of the best sites for information about anything military. Includes extensive information on pay, benefits, assistance, contacts, etc. as well as links to all the troop support organizations. Telephone Cards DoD has now authorized the military exchange system to sell calling cards to the general public for the purpose of sending them to soldiers overseas. These cards are the best option as they offer the best per/minute rates and there are no surcharges to use them from overseas locations so the soldier/sailor gets the maximum benefit from the card. Website to purchase: https://thor.aafes.com/scs/default.aspx The VFW also runs an excellent phone card donation program. Info is below. Operation Uplink, VFW Foundation National Headquarters 406 West
34th Street, Suite 718
Kansas
City, MO 64111
Phone:
(816) 756-3390 Fax: (816) 968-1129
E-mail:
uplink@vfw.org
Website:
https://www.operationuplink.org/
AAFES has also authorized to allow the public to purchase food coupons/gift certificates for troops families in need of assistance while their spouses are deployed. These coupons can be purchased and sent to any soldier/sailor where they can be used in military exchanges anywhere in the world. These are a great value and directly benefit the troops. To purchase, go to the website below: Gift Certificate program: http://www.aafes.com/docs/homefront.htm Operation Dear Abby Website: www.operationdearabby.net Background: In 1967,
Sgt. Billy Thompson wrote Abigail Van Buren asking for a Christmas present
for our service members -- "Just a letter from home," American citizens
have been sending their best wishes to the troops every holiday season.
"Operation Dear Abby," has brought joy to hundreds of thousands of U.S.
military personnel deployed away from home around the world.
Concerns about regular mail delivery have prompted the military to suspend the letter-writing campaign... However, Dear Abby, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of the Navy's LifeLines2000 Services Network in association with SPAWAR SCC (National Capital Region) is providing this private and secure online resource that will allow you to send a Sailor, Marine, Soldier, Airman, or Coast Guardsman a holiday greeting or message of support. How It Works: Supporters
send messages to our service members. Service members with internet access
may read those messages via 'OperationDearAbby.Net'. Service members without
internet access may still read messages via Company commanders that have
internet access have the ability to download bulk messages to be printed
and distributed according to service branch and location.
Other areas to Help Army Relief Society http://www.aerhq.org/ Navy Marine
Corps Relief http://www.nmcrs.org/
Air Force
Aid Society http://www.afas.org/
Coast Guard
Mutual Assistance http://www.cgmahq.org/
Supporting families of veterans who are recovering in military hospitals. Fisher
House Foundation, Inc.
1401
Rockville Pike, Suite 600 Rockville, MD 20852
Phone:
(301) 294-8560 or toll-free (888) 294-8560
Fax:
(301) 294-8562
Email:info@fisherhouse.org
Website:www.fisherhouse.org
"Operation USO Care Package"
With thousands of U.S. troops deployed around the world, still actively engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom and the fight against terrorism, the United Service Organizations (USO) is offering a unique way for individuals and corporations to let our nation's defenders know we haven't forgotten them. "Operation USO Care Package," sponsored by the USO World Headquarters and administered by the USO of Metropolitan Washington (USO-Metro), enables individuals to write a personal message and financially support care packages that will be delivered to service members participating in Operation Enduring Freedom. Because of heightened security, individuals can no longer send letters and packages to 'Any Service Member.' Operation USO Care Package is approved by the Department of Defense, providing a safe, easy way for individuals and corporations to show their prayers and thoughts are with our men and women in uniform. Corporations may also contribute to this program through financial contributions, items donated in bulk for the care packages, or through implementation of an employee participation program. AT&T is a major supporter of this program, providing a complimentary toll free number for individuals to call for further information (1-866-USO-GIVE) and donating thousands of prepaid international phone cards to be included in the packages for the troops. "Our men and women in uniform give so much to the country, we wanted to give something in return as a token of our appreciation that would allow their separation from their loved ones to be a little easier," according to Paul McQuillan, Defense Sales Vice President, AT&T Government Solutions. "These Care Packages help the USO bring a touch of home to our men and women in uniform," said Edward A. Powell, President and CEO of USO World Headquarters. The care packages contain an assortment of items the military have specifically requested, such as prepaid international calling cards, disposable cameras, toiletries, and sunscreen. They also include greetings from the American public, transcribed onto official "Operation USO Care Package" post cards by volunteers and USO staff members. "Operation USO Care Package will continue for as long as our country is at war," according to Elaine Rogers, USO-Metro President. "This program is possible because of the support from individuals, corporations and organizations that donate funds to sponsor these care packages." Individuals and corporations can learn more about how to get involved and support "Operation USO Care Package" through donations of product or funds, by calling 866-USO-GIVE. HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT OPERATION USO CARE PACKAGE?
Please send all checks and personal greetings for "Operation USO Care
Package" to:
Due to the threat of anthrax following September 11,
DoD suspended its practice of forwarding personal care packages and correspondence
by the American public to "Any Service Member." In its place, USO created
a care package program. Through sponsorship of an "Operation USO Care Package,"
an individuals personal greeting will be transcribed onto an official
postcard and included in the care package going to a service member.
New Hampshire Troop Care Package Coordinators Armed Forces Reserve Center: Navy 167th RSG 368th Eng Battalion Suggested items: Bottom line: All packages must be able to fit inside a USPS mailbag (orange bag). In order
to accomplish this the mail must meet no more than the following dimensions:
Length
42 inches...72
inches length and girth combined
Over 42
in. To 44 in.....24 in girth
Over 44
in to 46 in.....20 in girth
Over 46
in to 48 in....16 in girth
Maximum
length 48 in or 4 foot
This does
not apply to registered mail and official government mail marked "MOM"
(military official mail).
LANGLEY
AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- U.S. officials with Joint Task Force Southwest
Asia would like to remind people about restrictions on items mailed to
U.S. forces in the area. Items with religious symbols from any faith other
than Islam aren't allowed, officials said. This includes Santa Claus and
any religious or secular item related to Hanukah or Christmas. Officials
advise family and friends not to send gifts wrapped in holiday-themed paper,
even if they are enclosed in plain paper, customs officials will confiscate
them. Mailers should also watch out for holiday themed stamps and Christmas
Seals.
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