[The Old Bag]

Hi all,

Just found out some information which I thought was interesting enough to share.

Through DS2's Scout group, I learned that anyone can post a care package to Australian troops serving overseas.

It's as simple as buying a $2 mailing box, filling it with some treats from home, and taking it to the Post Office who will arrange for it to be shipped for free if it's less than 2kg. The package will be given to a soldier who they feel most needs it.

We're putting one together now with some toiletries and non perishable snacks, and the kids are writing a letter and doing some drawings. You can put together a male or female package and if you add a return address the soldier will probably write back; our Scout group has already received a lovely letter from a corporal describing her daily life in Afghanistan.

Anyhow, I think it's a lovely idea and hope it brightens the day of a soldier who's pining for home.

FYI!

ETA: woops, forgot to add the link to more info: http://vvfsa.org.au/electronic_snafu_files...%20Overseas.pdf

This post has been edited by The Old Bag: 19/03/2012, 09:55 AM

[Stellajoy]

My brother just returned from deployment and said they LOVED these packages ( also the ones family sent)

We sent silly things, little games, weird lollies, jars of nutella, microwave popcorn, postcards and photos

Don't send chocolate, it rarely makes it intact.

[livvie7586]

chocolate melts. DH didn't care, but others might.

DH (and the rest of the ship) like things that could be shared-packets of biscuits, fruit cake (which made it safely) etc, as on the ship they were more 'luxury' items.

just remember where they are headed to, so nothing religious etc (our post office didn't know if christmas cards and presents would make it, and the christmas cake was iffy), and make sure everything can be seen clearly

[g_uzica]

I didn't realise that this could be done for individual care packages.

We received a flyer from DD's daycare that they would be organising care packages from what parents donate to be sent for ANZAC day which I thought was a great initative.

[RedsGirl]

I am SO glad you posted this. I was watching the Martha Stewart Show the other morning , and she was busy with a guest showing good cookie recipes for packing and seding to thier troops, plus how to pack them properly to minimise breakage (the show was a year old) - she then gave details of where to send etc etc.

I thought watching it what a great idea, a small thing we can do to let them know we are behind them and hopefully give them a bit of a smile ,and surely the Australian govt has something like this for our guys and girls overseas. Then it slipped my addled mind as most things do these days.

This will be a good project for me and DD1 I think.

No chocolate?? What about TimTams?? Is 'Australiana' type stuff the best to go for??

[PrincessPeach]

My PIL sent one of these packages to their nephew.

MIL made one of her fruitcakes to send, but we did send chocolates and they made it to him, though i think becasue it was a family package it might be different, he also serves in the navy.

[Stellajoy]

Tim Tams tend to melt into a puddle also (though I'm not sure of the weather there at the moment?) packages can sit in an open hanger with no air con for awhile before its distributed.

Bro enjoyed little unexpected quirky things. Funny pens, dvds, funny pictures from the internet printed out so he could blue tack it above his bed.

Stuff to share was good, there was a roaring barter trade between everyone.

[livvie7586]

My PIL sent one of these packages to their nephew.

MIL made one of her fruitcakes to send, but we did send chocolates and they made it to him, though i think becasue it was a family package it might be different, he also serves in the navy.

it doesn't get taken out, it melts, hence it 'doesn't make it'. nothing wrong with sending chocolate, just it ends up in one big puddle.

one more point, it can take a while for the parcels to get places, so don't send anything that doesn't last

[3_for_me]

Redsgirl we were told it was best to send prepackaged things so that there was no issues with customs, etc. Anything chocolate does really melt but even things like scotch finger bikkies went down really well. DH and the guys on his ship used to love games they could play as a group on their down time, things like travel monopoly and he was always requesting small footballs so they could kick a footy around but so many ended up over the side of the ship so they always needed new ones!

[The Old Bag]

Stellajoy,

Do you know if the soldiers in Afghanistan have easy access to milk? I was going to add some of the individual bowls of Coco Pops etc.