EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

http://lswda.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=209

With extensive deployed operations expected to continue for the foreseeable future, our troops will require, and deserve, continued support from those of us for whom they are fighting. Regardless of your position on any particular mission, these men and women are doing their duty to you and our country, going in harm's way and sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice. They deserve our unwavering support.

With that said, I think Veterans Day is a good day to kick off the first LSWDA Care Package Drive for Soldiers and Military Service Dogs. It's a really basic concept here. We have friends and family members, even a LSWDA Charter Member, Lance Falzone (catchrcall), as well as service dogs, that are deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and are not able to get many of the basic items that all of us can simply stop at the local convenience store and pick up as needed. So why don't we put together some care packages and get them shipped to our servicemen and their K9's.

Here is a list that I found online that will give an idea of what might be sent in a "care package"

Baby Wipes - packets are better than tubs.
Beef Jerky/Slim Jims
Energy Bars (Power Bar, etc.
Hot Sauce (Tabasco, Red Devil, etc.) - wrap glass bottle in duct tape and place in doubled zip-lock bags
Sunflower seeds
Peanuts
Seasoning Salt (Lawry's, etc.)
Atomic Fireballs / Jolly Rancher hard candy (for service member use)
Smarties or SweetTart candies (for local children who prefer sour style candy to build relationships with community)
Powdered Energy/Electrolyte Replacement Drink Mix (Gatorade, etc.)
Chewing Gum
Avon Skin So Soft - great for removing face paint and also reputed to be an effective bug repellant
AA-cell Alkaline Batteries
Personal Hygiene Gear: Disposable Razors, Toothbrush and Tooth Paste
Eye Wash / Drops (Visine, etc.) for flushing dust and sand out of the eyes
Zip-Lock style Plastic Storage Bags - assorted sizes, heavier freezer style are better
Copenhagen Snuff in a tin ("Even if the service member doesn't dip snuff, they will be a hero and have more power than the Commanding Officer if they have a 'log' (10 cans) of 'Hagen.' A large percentage of infantry use this stuff and it is hard to get. The stuff they do get comes in a plastic can and tastes terrible. The 'Stateside Hagen' is the most powerful bargaining tool in a field environment!")
Pre-paid Phone Card so service member can call home
Playing cards
Sports balls - football, soccer
Board games
Hunting/ Fishing magazines

Service Dog Items:
dog biscuits
heavy-duty chew toys
rope pulls
tennis balls
cooling vests
dog booties
doggles
bedding
nail clippers
ear and eye cleaners
sunblock without para-aminobenzoic acids
grooming supplies



If you would like to pickup a few items and send them to my mailing address, I will get them boxed properly and sent out to the proper APO. If you would rather send some money, and have someone else do the shopping, that is welcome too. 100% of the funds will be used to purchase items for the care package. The shipping costs have been donated by J-K Enterprises, Inc.

Physical address for shipping care package items.

LSWDA Care Package
525 South 16th
La Porte, TX 77571

Paypal address to donate money:

Please put LSWDA Care Package in the memo line
https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/websc ... 2818e091d0


I'll go ahead donate $200.00 to get the ball rolling.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me
Chris
832-689-2786
ccoughran@gmail.com

This is GREAT!!!  I am excited about being able to give back to those that have given us so much!!  With the Holiday Season fast approaching, our guys and gals are gonna need our support moe than ever!!  Count me in!!! ;D

Great post to start Circle C, and perfect day for it. I'll try to pull somethings together and ship it your way. I think that all of the mentioned, plus some, should already be plentifully supplied, but that's our Government I guess. Hats off to you brother for starting this and supporting our boys.

An item that I forgot to mention in the previous list.

Crystal light / koolaid flavor packets for bottled water.

This is a awesome idea guys, especially the working dogs over here, they play a pretty important role but not a lot of people even know they exist over here.

BA-IV,

      I read on another post that you are currently stationed in Iraq.  Can you think of some items that you, or your guys might need?

Also, if you will, PM me your address, as I would like to sends some of the packages to known recipients.

Thanks,
Chris

I just rec'd a pm from Warner Smith of Tri-Tronics, Inc.  He and Tri-Tronics would like to donate 2 training collar systems of the the K9 handlers' choice for this drive.

Here is a link to their product line so that they can pick a training collar system that best fits their needs.
http://www.tritronics.com/product-list.html (http://www.tritronics.com/product-list.html)

Let me know which they want and I will have Warner ship them straight to you Chris.

I want to thank both Warner and Tri-Tronics, Inc. for this most generous offer!! 

can always count on Tri-Tronics to produce a top quality product and be great with customer service, not to mention supporting the communities that use their products.

Message left on Lone Star Working Dog Message Board by Lance F. AKA CatchRCall who is currently serving
With Thanksgiving almost here and Christmas just around the corner, this Care Packages for the soldiers hopefully will boost their spirits since they cannot be here with their Loved ones

I have said before im a veteran and was over there multipe times this is a great thing yall are doing , but you got to becarful sending alot of that stuff like the beefjerky because alot of time we would get it and it would be molded alot of that stuff does when you change it climate and alltitude over and over again

had a few more suggestions added to the list of items on the LSWDA board.

We would like to get these packages shipped out by December 15th so that they may arrive somewhere around Christmas.  If everyone that is contributing would send their stuff to Chris at the address he has provided prior to then, we can get them all put together and shipped out by then.  Thanks to all of you that are making this drive a success!!  These guys will very much appreciate any and all of your generosity!!!

Want to thank Rocking P Ranch, he is donating $200.00 for the LSWDA Care Package Drive for Soldiers and Military Service Dogs.


Guys and Gals,    We are coming up on the holiday season, and many of these men and women will be stationed overseas away from their friends and family. Heck, maybe money is tight, and you can't afford to send a gift or money, write a note thanking them for their service. Anything to let them know we are still here supporting our troops.

AWESOME!!!  Thsnks Mr. Ronnie!!

Excellent idea Chris!!  A card, a note, a letter...anything to let them know we haven't forgotten them and still support them!!

I hope ya'll are gathering up some stuff!!  These guys and gals will be most appreciative I am sure!!  ;D

Oh and check out the LSWDA website...the webmaster has been busy!!  www.lswda.org

Just making sure everyone gets to participate.

countdown now to get those items in to be shipped

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1172.snc4/154435_463326822406_558347406_6066694_3201461_n.jpg)

Packages are starting to roll in...  Thanks to TriTronics and Chad Purcell for the latest shipment.

WOO HOO!!!  Glad to see Tri-Tronics made it!! 

Thanks to Chad for his contribution!!

Keep tha packages coming!!  These guys, gals, and K9s deserve something from each of us as a thank you for the sacrifices they make daily.

We are getting closer to shipping time!!!

btt

Just a reminder.....

The packages will be shipped out next week so if you have any - please get them shipped to Chris!! 

How we doing Chris??

I have a nice stack of boxes that a handful of members have sent in. After the 15th, Mandi and I will go do some shopping with the $400.00 that has been committed at this point. Then we will have it all packed up and sent to the troops the following day.

I think if nothing else, a nice thank you note, a card, some old hunting magazines would be nice. It does not have to take money out of your pocket to show appreciation....

We have a good stack of magazines put together as well as a bunch on letters and cards that the Shallowater elementary, intermediate, and boys & girls club kiddos wrote to all the soldiers.  I will get some pics before they are packed up. 

Magazines are good way to help service members pass the time and sort of keep them in touch with home.

This really is a good thing that the LSWDA is doing . I know its close to Christmas time, but if you have something to spare to show your support, then please do so. I know times are tough, but they are twice as tough for a service member who is spending their Christmas in a combat zone. I have also seen first hand, a MP unit attached to us having to make do to get supplies for their dogs.

Here are a couple pictures I took in 2004 at Camp Taqaddum, Iraq. In the desert, you had to help each other out, watch your 6 and your buddys. I pulled a couple of favors for an MP unit that assisted our unit with convoy security. In return, I asked that I get to help with the training of the military working dogs. Needless to say, they were more than happy to let my platoon sgt & me be the DUMMIE..

(http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w234/got2catchem/DogTraining-Iraq1.jpg)

(http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w234/got2catchem/DogTraining-Iraq.jpg)

I sent out an email, school wide, to see if anyone wanted to help. Friday I picked up about 250 letters and Christmas cards from all these kids.
I read through a few and some of them make you want to tear up a little. Shallowater kids stepped up and did an awesome deal for these folks.
Even the pre-K classes had the teacher write what they wanted to say and drew a picture on thier statement. It's awesome.

btt  ;D

Mailman just brought another package of dog and people treats from the Rohan family.

Mailman just brought a box full of hog hunting magazines from Wild Boar USA.   

AWESOME!!!! 

Thanks for the update Chris!!

Packages will be shipped this week!!  Thanks to everyone that sent something in!!!  You all made this Drive for LSWDA a success!!  We hope to make this an annual thing so everyone be thinking about it for next year!!!

Just got a $100.00 check in the mail from the Boykin family.

Thanks to everyone that helped by sending in a care package item, or funds to purchase care package items. I had a couple people that notified me yesterday that they sent out checks, so as soon as they arrive, I will get the rest of the items purchased and sent to our soldiers and K9's.

I sure hoping the Military canines enjoy some treats for service and withstanding the heat and jobs that have there!

THANKS CHRIS FOR BEING IN CHARGE AND GETTING THIS TAKEN CARE OF!

Hey Chris,

Did all the packages go last week??  I got my 4 shipped out on Thursday the 16th!!  2 went to Iraq and 2 went to Afghanistan.

Thanks for taking care of this event!!!  You did a fantastic job!!!

They did not ship last week. On  Wednesday the 15th, I received a couple emails and phone calls indicating that they had sent out a check in the mail that day. I'll wait until my mail run tomorrow morning, to see if any checks show up. Then get the rest of the shopping done tomorrow, and should have everything shipped on Wednesday of this week.

Ok - cool!!!  Thanks for the update!!