Treats For Troops & Operation Pocket Change
Until they ALL come home!
On Saturday morning, Jan 30th, after an invitation from Karin King, I joined a group of volunteers at a warehouse in Wesley Chapel owned by Bob Williams www.ourtroupsonline.com . We went on a tour inside the 35,000 square ft warehouse where we were struck with awe to see the sheer volume of donations and generosity of businesses like Starbucks, Lance’s and Dunkin Donuts and the general public. After the tour, we packed 69 pound boxes full of home baked cookies, other food items, cigars, toiletries, candy, handmade cards from school children, you name it, we tried to fit it in these boxes.
Many of our Troops and Chaplains in the remote war zones and military hospitals do not have access to a PX (store on base) and if they do, the PX is scarcely stocked, if at all, or can be a 5 hour helicopter ride away, escorted by gun ships. Their families simply do not have the means to purchase items that their family member on the front line needs and pay the expensive postage to get the care package where it needs to go.
Treats For Troops www.TreatsForTroops.info stepped up the plate a couple of years ago and in conjunction with Support The Troops www.ourtroopsonline.com is sending 69 pound care packages to the troops at these locations 365 days of the year. They have 250 addresses on file and some receive more than 1 box a day, depending on their needs.
‘Operation Pocket Change’
In November ’09, the postage for shipping was about $35,000, in December it was well over $50,000 and with 30,000 more troops deploying, we can only imagine what the costs will be. So many that we know, have deployed already and many have been shifted from Iraq to Afghanistan the past week without notice, and with only the belongings they had with them that day.
On January 1, 2010, we launched “Operation Pocket Change” where we are asking the general public to help us offset the costs for shipping by donating their “pocket” or “spare” change. Every little bit helps and it makes a significant difference in the lives of so many. Everyone can participate as it is a very simple concept. Everyone has loose change.
Another way to help with postage, is to go to this Post Office, pick up a 20-45 lbs box that is ready for shipment and pay the postage. The boxes are inside the post office, on display against the wall on the right where you are standing in line, you cannot miss them. Postage for the smaller boxes is between $20.00 and $45.00. Postage is approximately 1.00 per lb.
US Post Office
5804 Boyette Rd
Wesley Chapel, FL 33545
ph: 813-991-7846
If people would like to volunteer at the warehouse, they can send an e-mail to Bob Williams at SIFT@aol.com or call him at: 813-991-9400. It’s better to coordinate with him in advance, especially if groups want to volunteer.
If anyone would like to help bake cookies or have their church, school, social organization, girls/boys scouts troops involved in baking cookies or making cards, they can get in touch with Karin King: Karin_King@yahoo.com or call her: 813-746-1517 or on Facebook Website: TreatsForTroops.Info
If anyone wants to start collecting ‘Pocket Change’ (maybe at their office, social group, etc.), they can get in touch with Jim King: privateislands@yahoo.com or call him: 813-746-1517
The public can donate postage dollars by sending a check to:
Karin King-Treats For Troops
4923 Patagonia Place
Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638
ph: 813-746-1517
www.TreatsForTroops.INFO
Treats For Troops is currently doing a “gallon size Ziploc bags full of goodies” drive where we are asking the community to buy supplies and fill gallon size Ziploc bags. This is a fun project that can be done with co-workers, at your kid’s school, church, social club, etc.
All bags are needed by March 15th so Treats for Troops can ship them out for Passover and Easter:
Just two rules: do NOT mix food with soap items. The food will taste like soap. Please NO chocolate. By the time we collect all the baggies, it will be warmer here and in the Middle East. The chocolate will melt.
NON-FOOD ITEMS:
*Feminine Hygiene Products *Shampoo *Body Wash *Body Lotion *Deodorant *Toothpaste *Toothbrushes *Floss *Mouthwash *Baby Wipes *Soap * Disposable Cameras, *Batteries (AA and C) *Visine or other Eye Drops *Phone cards (by unit is best) *Envelopes *Stationary *Pens * Hand Sanitizer *Travel Games *Playing Cards *Lip Balm *Sun Screen *Q-Tips *Shaving Cream * Razors, *Small Hotel Soaps & Shampoos are very popular.
FOOD ITEMS:
*Instant Soups *Instant Beverages (drink mixes) *Ice Teas *Lemonade *Kool-Aid (with sugar already mixed) *Coffee *Tea *Hot Chocolate *small packets ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise *Tabasco Sauce *Cookies *Crackers (plain & cheese) especially lunch box packs w/ individual servings * Cereal Bars *Granola Bars *Microwave Popcorn *Power Bars *Single Serve Fruit Cups *Beef Jerky *Slim Jims *Foil Bag Tuna or Tuna Snack “Kits”
And as always: cards and letters! They do wonders for the morale of our Troops.
Karin King & Lynda Damiata
What a great organization! I have been baking cookies for them for a few months and I am grateful for all they do! My son-in-law is currently stationed ina war zoneand they do not have access to anything. I know tht when he receives his box he will gladly share it with everyone around! Great work Lynda and Karin!