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