Mail date for Iraqi family care packages..12/1/03.. Please check in here

[SoCalDem]

Dec. 1.... It's a Monday..

Please try to mail any boxes, either ON that day, or as close as possible..

Please check in to this thread, and tell me approximately the size you sent and from what state...

If you want to include a list of what you plan to send, great..but it's not necessary..

This thread will probably end up in the meeting room, but I wanted it to start here so people would see it..

When everyone has checked in here, I will pm each of you the name and address to send it to..(bad syntax, and I know it:)..)

another DUer is going to have pdf format translated letter templates (in arabic).. more on that later.. also a thread in the meeting room..

Remember.. these boxes WILL be opened..and anything political will not be allowed..

All the boxes (that's why I need a number count) will be personally delivered by my friend there, and pictures will be taken.. I am sure he wants to do this in one trip, since they are the target of rpg and mortar attacks (3 in one week), and I am sure he is "busy"..

If you want them to try and correspond with you, I would suggest a self addressed envelope.. I have no idea about postage.. maybe ask the post office..You may not be able to even use USA postage since the letter would originate there..:shrug:.. (I am new at this )

If you plan to send children's things, remember they are a religious society, and girls over a certain age have dress restrictions..

Most of the pictures of children that I have seen show them shoeless, but I would have no idea what sizes they might need.. There will be several boxes headed out though, and there will probably be trading going on :)

Please post any other ideas here..:)


For those of you who think this is a bad idea, bear in mind that offering a hand in peace, does not denigrate what the soldiers are trying to do there...in fact they are very much involved in trying to befriend these people.. The Moms & kids (who we are really helpiing here) are likely to be just the ones we need to reach on a big scale..

and...

several here ARE sending things routinely to the soldiers whom we have adopted..

so.. if you really think this is a bad idea, please, please...start another thread..

I will get the pms with the address to all of you, but it will probably be next week ..(I have a "bug" & feel shitty)

[cliss]

1. We are putting together a package

this weekend. It will contain nonperishable foodstuffs (grains, legumes and some spices). No garbage food. I'm also sending a Pendleton Woolen blanket from Portland. Might additionally send socks or...?

We will be sending this UPS since it's less expensive. Please contact me with the appropriate address when the time gets closer.

[SoCalDem]

6. I think you have to use USPS..It's an APO #

If I understand these things (and they have not changed since we were military) it only is charged from where YOU are to where the apo address is.. It's an east coast APO..(I think).. Then the boxes are loaded as military cargo on their planes..Help me out here someone who knoew :)

[in_cog_ni_to]

2. I have a question

boys clothing..... If a shirt has emblems or designs on the front, is that acceptable? Do they have clothing restrictions for boys that you or anyone knows of?

[SoCalDem]

8. I have seen boys wearing most anything in the tee shirt department,

so that should be fine..:)

:)

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. OK,

Thanks! I hope you feel better soon! I'll have the box ready to go by the 1st.

I just shipped 2 boxes to my soldier today! I hope she likes what she gets...I also sent some games and A Rubix Cube...:7 One can waste HOURS with that sucker! lol! Anyway, it felt great doing it. Thanks for arranging it.

[cally]

3. I think I missed a few threads

Is it too late to get a care package together?

[corarose]

4. Can you pm me with the address

Do you think that it's alright to send them dried pasta? Please tell me what else I can send them.

I don't have very much money to spend but I feel so bad for the families.

[corarose]

5. Can they read instructions in English?

I would like to pre-measure Cake, Bread, Cookie Ingredients and all they have to do is add water to it and bake.

Do you think that would be alright?

[SoCalDem]

7. I don't know about the english

but a drawn picture should do the trick..

[MessiahRp]

9. Someone should send...

a ton of homemade cookies from home, and a shirt that says, "I was sent into a war that we had no business being in, I get shot at daily, The President doesn't care about me and all I got was this stupid T-Shirt!"

Okay it was a joke. :) Send them best wishes from DU. Let's hope that they all get home safely.

[in_cog_ni_to]

10. These packages are

for Iraqi families.

[MessiahRp]

16. OOhhhhh

My bad...

[Mandate My Ass]

11. Count me in

Should we try more for clothing items than food? Or both?

[SoCalDem]

13. I would go for the food items..

Dried foods, spices, vegetable oil, flour, sugar, rice, beans,coffee, tea, etc..

It's hard to know what they need clothing wise.. Of course if your kids (or you) have nice things that are just outgrown or unloved, but still in good coondition, that's fine too..

The boxes should not be HUGE, and that kind of stuff takes up a lot of room...

United states publications (mainstream only, please) that are printed in arabic (some parts of the US have large arabic populations) might also be interesting to them..

This is a first for me,folks, so I really don't have all the answers..

[in_cog_ni_to]

14. Probably both, IMO.

Here's a link to the list of things that we could send.



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=111&topic_id=10207

I needed to clean my son's closet out and THIS was my perfect excuse to do it! I will send both. I'm sure they can use food and clothing.

[Solly Mack]

15. I have 2 boxes ready to go

In 2- Box # 7's priority mail.

They will be coming from Kansas

And SoCal, you're doing a righteous good...you don't have to justify it to anyone. It's people like you that bring positive change.

Thank you! for everything you do!!!!

[William_WaLLace_]

17. can the person your sending the items to in Iraq

Can the person your sending the items too really be trusted? I would hate to think the donation will posssibly go to one individual.

I would like to contribute, but would like some assurance that my donation will be used in the manner it was intended. Can you give me any assurances or address my concern? I would appreciate that.

[SoCalDem]

18. Of course.. if not, I would have never started this

.. It's entirely voluntary.. Maybe you should wait til round two.:)

Since the Red cross and the other aid organizations have left, people may send more later..

[proud patriot]

19. proud patriot checking in

:hi: I also send care packages to troops .

[William_WaLLace_]

20. so what?

This thread isnt about the troops, in case you missed that.

[proud patriot]

26. Gosh... I did not deserve that William_WaLLace_

x( yes I know this thread is not about the troops
geez :eyes:

[SoCalDem]

21. kick for night owls

:)

[sandnsea]

22. I'm in

PM me with the address please. I can probably only send one box. What's the best size box to send?

[PsychoDad]

23. Please PM me with the address

I would like to send a package.

Thank you.

[SoCalDem]

24. kick again

:)

[Hell Hath No Fury]

25. Please PM me...

with the address.

Thanks for you hard work on this!

Hell

[proud patriot]

27. kick

:kick:

[SoCalDem]

28. Just heard from Ray.. December 1 is the Mail date

We will try to get the letter templates firmed up by the end of this week and get them up in pdf...

If you enclose a self addressed envelope for the Iraqi people to write back to you, their letters will not require any postage.. My friend said that they can mail them to you for free through the CPA..

It's been bad there, he says (several attacks on the compound).. I gather from his latest message that he may be going to Lebanon to visit his wife...said he would be gone for a few weeks.

They have not seen each other since he left in March..

The timing sounds good for a December 1 mail date.. I will be sending those of you who were interested, his apo address..

Please do not send them early..We want all the boxes to arrive at approximately the same time, so he does not have to make several trips. He will know the number of boxes to expect and what city/state they are coming from, so he can check them off..

When they have all arrived, they will be delivered..

Thanks..

[newyawker99]

29. Another one!

:kick: