Operation Nipples

[Miss Chybil]

My son is currently serving in eastern Afganistan. He just told me the hospital near where he is stationed was using one baby bottle for all their babies - they were just washing it in between. Well, here, I'll just post what he wrote:

"I usually write asking for stuff for me and my pals. This time I am asking for stuff for people at the hospital here. Particularly the babies.

I wanted to know if you, or anyone, could send a few baby bottles and maybe some pacifiers. The hospital here was using one bottle for any baby that needed treatment here and just cleaning it but their bottle disappeard. If you could help and send a few that would be awesome.
They could use some pacifiers too!"

If you would like to help out with this little operation, PM me and I will give you the address to send them to him.

Thanks, so much!

Miss Chybil

ON EDIT: MAILING INFO

I've had a couple questions about mailing, so here's what I know about mailing to Afganistan. My son has an APO address, so the cost would be the same as if you were mailing within the U.S.. Priority mail takes about 7 - 10 days. I don't know how long parcel post takes. You will have to attach a customs form to your package, (provided by the post office), listing the contents and just mark it as a gift. That's it.

I would post his address here, but I need to ask him if it's o.k. first. So, again, just PM me, if you are interested in helping. Thanks so much! You guys are great!

[shadowknows69]

1. Ok, I'll go for the cheap one

Damn, I thought this thread was a review of the new Janet Jackson album!


<edited to add>


Great cause obviously, thanks for posting it.

[Nikki Stone1]

2. Your title may not be attracting the generous and charitable

But I will be happy to K and R

[Morgana LaFey]

13. Yeah, I myself passed it up repeatedly. nt

[Miss Chybil]

38. Thank you. The responses were more than enough! DUers are great! nt

[babylonsister]

3. Recommend! I hope your son gets thousands of 'nipples'! nt

[Miss Chybil]

4. Thank you. I hope so. nt

[Monkeyman]

5. Send this to IAVA they can help

[whistle]

6. Sounds like the regular charities are falling down on the job....

...all of these have been appealing for donations to help Afghanistan since the U.S. invasion back right after 9/11. Where is all of the money ending up?

http://www.christianchildrensfund.org/sponsortoday/default.aspx?moken=ioj83ffa

http://www.care.org/newsroom/specialreports/afghanistan/index.asp?source=170740240000&WT.srch=1

http://www.charityorganizations.com/?a=1&kw=christian+charities

[Miss Chybil]

7. I'm not sure how all that stuff works.

Maybe, one guy and a bunch of people on the Internet can get them help faster than having to go through a bunch of red tape?

[kickysnana]

8. kick

[me b zola]

9. k&r

[Subdivisions]

10. Kick n' Rec

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

11. kick

for the nipples

[northofdenali]

12. K&R - what a thoughtful son you have!

He sounds like a wonderful guy, and I hope all goes well for him. Check your messages! I'm there!

OPERATION DU !!!!

[SeattleGirl]

14. Bless your son for what he's doing.

And you, for bringing it to our attention. Just PM'd you.

[K8-EEE]

15. USE A FLAT RATE BOX!! ONLY $8.10 FOR ANYTHING THAT FITS

You could fit TONS of bottles in there....maybe those kind with the disposable liners inside would be the best are far as space & sanitation?

I will do this for sure!

[Miss Chybil]

16. Thanks! The flat-rate box is a perfect idea! nt

[Deb]

17. Would these work?

http://item.express.ebay.com/75-NIP-Enfamil-Baby-Bottle-Disposable-Nipples-Nipple_W0QQitemZ220008902148QQihZ012QQcmdZExpressItem

Sent you a pm.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

18. Good Find! I just E-mailed the seller to ask if he would ship to

"the address" I'll let you know what he says. Hell, I can do a good deed and not even have to leve my keyboard. Way Kool!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

29. Reply from E-Bay seller mentioned above

We have no problems mailing overseas (in fact we do it alot). To mail an envelope of 25 nipples by global parcel post (about 10 days travel time), it will cost $10.00. I an unaware if mailing to our soldiers is a different mailing rate, if so, let me know. If you are interested in purchasing a case (250) nipples, we sell them to African AIDS Research for $50 a box plus $27 shipping overseas. I can give you that same rate for parcel post, just let me know. Thanks for looking at our auctions and have a happy holiday season. The Three Peas Outlet (Suzie)

[Deb]

35. Thank you!

Glad to know this is a good seller. I liked these because they can quickly be made into a pacifier using medical tape and are latex free. It would be nice if the hospital could send them home with the children. We can only imagine what conditions must be like.

[crickets]

19. I've sent you a pm - K&R

Your son sounds like a wonderful, caring man.

[JNelson6563]

20. You must be so proud!

You did a fine job with that son of yours. :toast:

Julie

[Solly Mack]

21. I can ship to APO's for free - so I'll take that address please

PM on its way

[lebkuchen]

26. That's a great perk, isn't it?

:)

[Solly Mack]

34. Yeah it is.....I could have saved a bundle a few years ago

on shipping if I had it then...

[lebkuchen]

36. It saved me lots of money when I was in New Zealand

We have (had?) an APO next to the Antarctica Museum in Christchurch (providing support to US staff in Antarctica). The postal folks even gave me 3 brand new large boxes and tape to mail back my sleeping bag, tent, new UGG boots, etc. etc. to Japan--all for free.

[BrightKnight]

22. Every officer in Iraq and Afghanistan should have a USAID contact.

USAID should have a division dedicated to getting them whatever they need fast. This kind of thing is mission critical and the DoD should make it a top priority.

[Luna_C_06]

23. Kick for "Operation Nipples"

I tried to pm you for the address, but I don't have enough posts. Could you pm me?

[RubyDuby in GA]

24. I have a 7 month old who would love to donate some of his things

He's gone up to the next size in pacifiers and bottles so I was wondering what to do with all of his gently used items. I will sterilize everything again before wrapping them in individual ziplock bags.

This is wonderful and you have a fantastic son!

[Miss Chybil]

25. UPDATE - PLEASE READ!

My son and I are both overwhelmed by the response we have received here. You guys are absolutely terrific! However, I do not use the word "overwhelmed" lightly! I did not realize how touched everyone would be and how much everyone would want to help.

My son's base is small and is in a fairly remote and hostile area. They don't need much. However, I have received so many responses and I feel a project like this gives us all an opportunity to feel we can actually do something meaningful in the midst of a situation we believe we have no control over.

Please, if you have commited to send bottles and pacifiers, send them. They need them. If you haven't, yet, hold off. I have written to the desk officer of the USAID in Kabul. I am hoping he will be able to direct us on where more bottles, or other baby items are needed. I will let you know, as soon as I hear. If anyone has any other suggestions about where we can send these things, we are very open to your ideas.

I will keep you posted. Thanks again, so much! DUers are angels!

[Hoping4Change]

27. What a wonderful effort. Kudos to your son. Can Canadians

send parcels?

[OffWithTheirHeads]

30. Too late! I just sent a box useing the E-Bay seller mentioned above

Amazing bunch here huh?

[Miss Chybil]

37. You're wonderful! Thank you very much! nt

[Tom Joad]

28. ..

[OffWithTheirHeads]

31. O.K. I was a little concerned that there were only 30 replies

Then I looked at the "views". I'm far less concerned now. If you would be kind enough, please let us know how this all works out after the dust settles. By the way, Unless you tell me not to, I'm forwarding this story to the San Jose Merc tomorrow and you may end up with more help than you could have anticipated.

Damn Libruls don't support the troops. Indeed!

[mikelewis]

32. What about Cloth Diapers/ Wipes/Baby Blankets/Formula...

We would definitely like to still send a few baby bottles/nipples and sterile inserts but could they use any other baby goods...

Some questions...

How many babies are we talking about... roughly?

Can they use any other products like cloth diapers and safety pins...
...Desitin
...Baby Formula
...Baby Blankets
...Cloth Wipes
...Audio Recording of Rusted Roots "Martyr" (Blasting this was the only thing that would stop my boy from screaming)
...Baby Toys

etc?

If they can't get their hands on bottles, they most likely are in pretty bad shape on all the rest of the stuff too. I'm getting a bonus check sometime next week and was planning on giving a percentage away for a cause so I'll have a couple of hundred to spend in about a week. See if your son can get a list of what they need and I'll try and see what $200+ and some Froogling can buy....

[helderheid]

33. I've PMd you - I need the address - have 2 people ready to send!