Mailing Instructions

It's time to mail packages for Christmas arrival!

Email me at nancy@auntnancyusa.com to request a name to send your Christmas stockings, or other holiday packages to.  Please give me an estimate of how many stockings you might be able to send.  I do not post troops' names online.

In addition to Christmas stockings, I have requests for LOTS of Christmas cards to our troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, and even at bases in the USA.

WHAT TO DO:

Start at the post office and pick up a free LARGE, FLAT RATE, Priority Mail box, and a Customs Declaration form. It's best to get the boxes ahead of time because you can figure out how full to make your stockings & how many will fit. And the post office often runs out this time of year. Your packages can easily cost double the $12.50 to ship if you don't use these boxes discounted for military destinations.  "If it fits, it ships"!

Visit your local "dollar store" for the best prices on the classic red and white stockings that are so sentimental to the troops.  You can also purchase some winter-theme boxes to make holiday packages for non-Christians.

While many of the troops I have right now are in bare-bones, remote, locations in Afghanistan, make the stockings fun.  Save the soap (unless it's got Santa on it!) for regular packages.

Mailing cut-off dates from the US Postal Service based on APO mailing code:  Mailing dates  They offer later dates than I recommend, especially to Afghanistan. Some of the troops I have are in remote areas, and additional time is necessary. Also, we would like packages to arrive at least a week before Christmas (or whichever holiday you are mailing for.)

Afghanistan: prior to November 30th*. *updated-- some packages are already arriving!
Iraq: first week of December will still probably work. (Priority Mail)

But never hesitate to mail because an item might be late.  Certainly for our troops, "better late than never" is most appropriate. Some mail has arrived in two weeks.  We can't be sure. Of course you can always send a New Year's package.

If possible, print this form and put it in your stockings, and packages:  Info Sheet


Suggestions for stocking fillers:

• candy candy candy - especially chocolate and holiday theme (drug stores are good for these)   Mini-candy canes are best for shipping.
• cookies (NOT homemade - store bought and packaged only) Oreo cookies are favorites!
• treats like Twinkies, Hostess cupcakes, Little Debbie
• hot chocolate packets 
• small toys like a micro-machine - one in a stocking is fun
• beef jerky
• a current sports or fitness magazine
• gum, nuts, pretzels, trail mix packages. Twizzlers licorice is another favorite.
• tubes of potato chips, cookies
• Starbucks single serving Via instant coffee packets
• small cans of energy drinks
• a greeting card, maybe include your group or family photo, and "Aunt Nancy" note (see below)
• fake snow
• nice smelling shampoo or body wash (small bottles - in ziploc bags)
• a short string of Christmas lights (if you are mailing early enough)
• a hand-held electronic game
• left-over Halloween candy
• if you have funds: iTunes cards and iPod shuffles are high on their wish lists!

A Santa hat, antlers, or other silly cap goes over well.
No batteries -- unless specifically requested by your troop.
("JSS Loyalty" needs AA & AAA size)
Small footballs and play things are nice gifts.
Check back, I'll be adding more suggestions.

Include a note with your name, city (or full address if you would like) email, and maybe even a photo. lf you want a reply, insert a self-addressed return envelope.
Tell them you are sending the holiday cheer through "Aunt Nancy USA" and include that my program is now on Facebook as well as www.auntnancyusa.com

HOW TO MAIL:

Get the boxes ASAP!  The post office often runs out this time of year. Grab a large Customs Declaration form while there too.

Unless you are mailing very large quantities, always use USPS Priority Mail for best assurance of delivery. The LARGE FLAT RATE Priority Mail usually saves money. There is a $2.00 discount on the large Flat Rate boxes to Army Post Office (APO) and FPO addresses.  ($12.50 instead of $14.50). You should be able to get 2 or 3 filled stockings per box.

You can even buy the flat rate postage online and save!  It will cost only $11.95.  Print the postage, fill out the customs form, and call the post office. They will come to your home or office and pick up the packages. How cool is that!!!


Keep boxes neat and professional.  No stickers or drawings on the outside.  If the addresses are not neat and easy to read, especially the RETURN address, it may not be delivered. For security reasons the military is very fussy about this.
Use clear tape if possible, wrapping all edges of the boxes. They have a long way to go and are not handled gently. All liquids must be in ziploc style bags. 

Customs Declaration forms are required, and are available at the post office along with the free Priority Mail boxes. In the area marked In case of non-delivery put re-direct to "Chaplain" and the same address as your soldier.  (Unless I gave you another name.)

Your packages are actually being mailed to a domestic military base, so you are not paying to ship overseas. The country your soldier is in does not matter. The military will fly the packages to your soldiers' units.

Note: No homemade baked goods are allowed in packages, for the safety of our troops.
Only after you have developed a relationship with a soldier you personally adopt are home made cookies or goodies permissible.

Here are some ideas of what to write on a note in the Christmas stockings:

Hello and Merry Christmas from _____________________
We received your unit through  "Aunt Nancy USA"
www.auntnancyusa.com
We hope this gift sheds a little sunshine on your day,... brings a smile to your face, (something like that) or,
Sending these goodies in case Santa cannot get clearance to fly over.
We are thinking of you and the sacrifices you are making for our country.
A reply is not necessary, but we would like to know this package was received,
and you can let us know of any special requests we might be able to help you with.
Your name,
Group name
address
and email (if you want them to email -- which is more likely than a returned note)

If you want a reply, in each stocking include:

a self-addressed reply envelope (no stamps required)
a reply card, index card-size paper with something like this:
Soldier's name ________________________
APO address _________________________
[  ]  Yes, I received your package
Items I could use are ___________________
My email address is (optional)  ____________________

Attach it to your note or envelope.

Female stockings: If you would like to make a Christmas stocking specially for a female, tie a big pink ribbon on it and a label "FEMALE".  All the stockings will be passed out randomly, 

One further note for holiday packages:
On your box, and Customs Declaration form, please include
"Aunt Nancy USA "
in your return address.
That way the chaplains or other troops will know your package is part of our Christmas project.
This isn't absolutely required, but can be helpful to the Chaplains.
Example:

Jane Doe

Aunt Nancy USA

1234 Main St

New York, USA

Fundraiser:

I'm hosting a fundraiser for cards for the troops. You can help by visiting my website:
www.sendoutcards.com/storefront/simcocards and creating a greeting card for $2.99 (includes 44 cents postage!)  Have the card mailed to a soldier or a friend, whomever you choose.
From your computer you can personalize cards, and then the cards are  printed and mailed for you!
ALL profits go to "Aunt Nancy USA" for free cards for the troops.  Thanks!


PLEASE DO NOT send stockings directly to Andrew May without checking in with me.  I have certain numbers requested for a variety of units and have to keep track of how many packages are going to each one. The stockings are sent to one person collecting them, and will be passed out at Christmas services.

 
There is just me and my laptop here, no large organization.  I try to answer every email within a day or two, but it gets difficult in November!  :)


_______________________________

A cool way to send cards to the troops; COP Shocker leaving

Two items for you today.

1st, If you have been sending to troops at COP Shocker, you should discontinue now.  Our troops are leaving and redeploying to home base.

2nd, one of our friends suggested I recommend you look at sending cards via SendOutCards system.  It's a very cool online system that allows you to choose a card, personalize it, and just click "send".   The company prints the card, stuffs it, puts a real US postage stamp on it, and takes it to the post office for you!  And you can do for as little as $1.00 including the postage!  

This could be perfect for our mail to the troops!  The cards are very high quality.  I'm excited about the possibilities!

You can:

• personalize your card
• send post cards (a little less cost than the greeting cards)
• send a tri-fold card (a little more cost than the regular greeting cards)
  
• set up several cards at one time and choose different mail out dates to your soldier
  
• send multiple cards to different addresses
• add photos (extra cost)

Anyway, I think it's a great idea!  So much so that I joined the company this week and am now a distributor.  Ah! you say!  There's the catch!  Well, maybe.  Maybe I can make a couple pennies per card (someday).  BUT -- I really want to make it easy for you to send cards to our soldiers.  So, I've put in $100 for all of you*.  The first people who visit SimcoCards website can open up a FREE SendOutCards account and then send a card to a soldier for FREE.  On me.  How's that??

Visit:  www.SendOutCards.com/simcocards  

Once you get to the Card Catalog there is a selection for "Valentines", and another for "Patriotic".  If you send one now it should make it for Valentines Day.  You can do it right from your computer.

If you don't have an individual soldier (I'm still having trouble getting new troop names) then consider sending a card to Chaplain Pickens.  He has over 600 troops he is responsible for and wouldn't it be great if he got 600 cards?  (you guys will have to pay for some of those!)

* Donations have been added by some troop supporters.  You could also offer your free trial to your soldier to use to send a card home. 

While I always promised I would never, ever, post a soldier's information online, this Chaplain said this would be OK.  If the cards are addressed as below, he will not open them, just pass them to a soldier.  (I may remove his name in a few weeks.)  When you do this please include "Friends of Aunt Nancy USA" with your name in the cards so they will know how they got the card. 

Send to:

CH (1LT) Jeremy Pickens

In Care of Any Soldier

211MP BN

Camp Taji, Iraq

APO AE 09374

You could also send card to wounded troops in Germany at:

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

ATTN: MCEUL-CH/Chaplains Office,

CMR 402

APO AE 09180

The  soldiers can use this online card system too.  Even though they don't have to pay for postage to mail to the USA, the cost for these cards and postage is less expensive than most cards all by themselves.  Plus the troops can prepare several cards ahead of time to be mailed home in the future and they don't have to worry about remembering or getting time at a computer later.

Thanks again for helping.  And let me know what you think of this online card system.

_______________________________

Time is running out for stockings for our troops! 2009

Time is moving too quickly -- there are about TWO weeks left to get Christmas stockings out to our troops. (December 1st! if you can't meet this date I can suggest other ways to help.)

If you can help, please email me ASAP. Email: Nancy@auntnancyusa.com

Some suggestions for filling the Christmas stockings:

• Candy candy candy - chocolate, candy canes (mini ones ship best), hard candy, whatever.
• Tubes of cookies or chips
• Small (1.5oz) bags of cookies, Goldfish crackers, nuts, etc.
  
• Mints, breath mints or strips
  
• Fun novelty treats as are for sale at drug stores
• Healthy snack/energy bars
  
• Chewing gum
• Beef jerky
  
• Small cans of energy drinks (for troops in the field)
  
• Starbucks "VIA" ready brew coffee packets (about $2 for a 3 pack)
  
• Microwave popcorn (commercial only - no homemade products can be accepted)
• Hot chocolate packets
  
• Lipbalm (ex: Chapstick. For troops in the field; not needed at the hospital)
  
• Small bottles of lotion
• Nail clippers
  
• Current music CDs, or movie DVDs
• A short string of Christmas lights
• did I mention: candy candy candy?
  
• You'll find many fun items once you start looking!

Check back often as I will be updating this list.

Do NOT send batteries of any kind unless specifically noted for your soldiers.

Be sure to read the extensive DO NOT SEND list for the wounded troops in a posting below from a couple of weeks ago.

Do NOT wrap items in the stockings. For the safety and security of our wounded troops the Red Cross volunteers have to inspect the stockings.

If you and/or your group has some funds available for more costly items, the troops would really love to get
1. iTune cards,
2. iPod Shuffles,
3. long distance phone cards (domestic; with no expiration date)
4. hand-held electronic games.
Items 1 - 4 above should NOT be put into the stockings with the other items however. Put them into an envelope in the same box. The chaplains will insert them into stockings for the troops who need them the most.

Throwing a Santa hat or silly reindeer antlers into the box is fun too.

You may make the stockings personal by inserting a note card with your name and address if you would like, and even a photo.

If you make a stocking specifically for a female soldier, tie a big pink ribbon on to it with a label "Female".

Email me at nancy@auntnancyusa.com and I'll give you an address to send stockings too.

But hurry -- time is getting short. Plus, I'm going out of the country the first half of December. I'll answer as many emails as I can until then.

DECORATIONS: If you want to send decorations to your soldiers they should go out now to give the troops time to enjoy them before Christmas.

Dollar stores sell the nice 14" furry red and white stockings for, you guessed it, $1.00!

Of course, non-denominational packages can be sent too. In this photo below you'll see some boxes rather than stockings.

Postage rates:

• Your packages are actually going to a military base in the USA, so you are not paying international mailing rates. Still, it can get costly.
  
• For mailings after November 15th you must use PRIORITY MAIL. (I recommend always using Priority Mail. The packages are handled better all along the route.)
  
• Priority Mail FLAT RATE boxes usually save you money (over normal Priority Mail rates). As long as you can close the box with the flaps in place, the weight can go up to over 20 pounds.
• There is a military discount of $2.00 if you use the LARGE flat rate priority boxes. I think they cost about $14 to mail now, but only about $12 if it's going to an Army Post Office (APO) destination as ours are.
  

Other mailing tips:

As of November 15th the post office recommends all packages go Priority Mail. Parcel Post may not make it in time for Christmas. USPS dates link

• Packages should be neat and professional looking. Using the free boxes from the post office for Priority Mail works well.
• Do tape well. All edges and corners. Use clear tape if possible.
  
• Do write all addresses neatly. Security is very important. If your return address is not clear, the package could be discarded.
• Do not decorate the outside of the box. Do not make it tempting for possible theft.
  
• Do seal any liquids inside a ziploc bag. (You might use holiday bags to make it look nice.)

click here for USPS: USPS Military Packages link

Customs Declaration forms will be required.

• Getting forms ahead of time will be helpful so you can list the contents of the package before sealing it.
• You will have to list all contents, but do not make the lists too detailed.
  
• Don't list "Christmas stocking" as that will make it more tempting to thieves. You might put "socks" (hey, that's not UNtrue!)
  
• You will have list the contents, but be as vague as you can and still be legal. Again to avoid encouraging theft.

Joining in late? Too busy?
If you are too rushed to get items out in time for the holidays, I do have a Chaplain looking for supplies you can help with. Ask me about COP Shocker unit.

If you would like to just send a couple of bags of candy for the troops you can do that too!

AND PLEASE NOTE:

Once again this year, there is an email circulating around the internet asking people to send an extra Christmas card or two to "Any Soldier", or "Recovering Soldier" at Walter Reed Hospital. The Army has warned of this mis-informed goal. You do not know where it actually started. While it is a noble idea, tens of thousands of Christmas cards have to be opened and inspected for security reasons, and it just can't be done by the hospitals. Thousands get thrown away.

Here's a link for other ways Walter Reed Army Hospital can use help: http://www.wramc.army.mil/support/Pages/default.aspx

I have names of troops you can send your cards to if you would like to do so.

2009 Christmas Stockings for Our Wounded Troops

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, our US Army hospital in Germany, has asked me for 500 stockings for our wounded troops.

As of 11/13/09 I have pledges for 301.


Some suggestions for filling the Christmas stockings:

• Candy candy candy - chocolate, candy canes (mini ones ship best), hard candy, whatever.
• Tubes of cookies or chips
• Small (1.5oz) bags of cookies, Goldfish crackers, nuts, etc.
  
• Mints, breath mints
• Fun novelty treats as are for sale at drug stores
• Healthy snack/energy bars
  
• Chewing gum
  
• Small cans of energy drinks
• Starbucks "VIA" ready brew coffee packets (about $2 for a 3 pack)
  
• Microwave popcorn (commercial only - no homemade products can be accepted)
• Hot chocolate packets
  
• Lipbalm (ex: Chapstick)
• Current music CDs, or movie DVDs
  
• You'll find many fun items once you start looking!

Do NOT send batteries of any kind to the hospital.

Do NOT wrap items in the stockings. For the safety and security of our wounded troops the Red Cross volunteers have to inspect the stockings.

If you and/or your group has some funds available for more costly items, the troops would really love to get

1. iTune cards,
   
2. iPod Shuffles,
   
3. long distance phone cards (with no expiration date)
4. hand-held electronic games.
   

Items 1 - 4 should NOT be put into the stockings with the other items however. Put them into an envelope in the same box. The chaplains will insert them into stockings for the troops who need them the most.

You may make the stockings personal by inserting a note card with your name and address if you would like, and even a photo. But know that we rarely hear back from the wounded troops.

If you make a stocking specifically for a female soldier, tie a big pink ribbon on to it with a label "Female".

Email me at nancy@auntnancyusa.com and I'll give you an address to send stockings too.

But hurry -- time is getting short, and, I'm going out of the country the first half of December. I'll answer as many emails as I can until then.


Of course, non-denominational packages can be sent too. In this photo below you'll see some boxes rather than stockings.


_______________________________

2009 Christmas mailing deadlines from the USPS

Here is a web link for information from the United States Postal Service regarding mailing deadlines for Christmas packages: USPS Holiday Info

For regular Parcel Post you need to get your packages in the mail by mid-November! Start early, or, use Priority Mail (recommended by me!) Mail to Baghdad is pretty good now, but if you are mailing to Afghanistan it will take much longer. If you want to send decorations the troops can use for a couple of weeks before any holidays, remember to allow time for that.

I encourage all packages to be shipped by Thanksgiving week even with Priority Mail. Chaplains sometimes want to hand goodies out at parties and religious services which often take place early.

Speaking of holidays: it's not too late to send Thanksgiving cards now.

Below is a partial chart:

MILITARY MAILING DEADLINES

Military Mail Addressed To	Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)1/	First-Class Mail® Letters and Cards	Priority Mail®	Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) 2/	Space Available Mail (SAM)3/	Parcel Post®
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092	Dec-18	Dec-11	Dec-11	Dec-4	Nov-28	Nov-13
APO/FPO AE ZIP 093	N/A	Dec-4	Dec-4	Dec-1	Nov-21	Nov-13
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098	Dec-18	Dec-11	Dec-11	Dec-4	Nov-28	Nov-13
APO/FPO AA ZIP 340	Dec-18	Dec-11	Dec-11	Dec-4	Nov-28	Nov-13
APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966	Dec-18	Dec-11	Dec-11	Dec-4	Nov-28	Nov-13

The USPS offers free boxes for Priority Mail and a discount on shipping to Army Post Office (APO) addresses. See the link above for more details.

It is important to keep your packages well taped, professional looking, and neat. If your return address is not nice and clear the package will be thrown away for security reasons.

Do not put cute stickers or decorations on the packages as it may encourage theft.

Get your Customs Declaration forms ahead of time to make them easier to fill in.
_______________________________

Halloween candy, cards, and decorations

If your family, school, church, or work group would like to get some candy to our troops for Halloween, send me an email at nancy@auntnancyusa.com and I will give you a soldier/unit to send it to.

Some tips:

• Candy is very heavy, and shipping costs are high. I recommend using FLAT RATE Priority Mail boxes at this point. FLAT RATE pays off for candy. I think I saved $7 on one box (vs. regular Priority Mail.) Therefore, if your group is collecting, be sure to ask for monetary donations to help with the shipping costs. To save more money you can just send by regular parcel post, but it may not get there in time now for Afghanistan and some areas of Iraq. If you are including cards and decorations, it has to go Priority Mail now. Packages to the Army hospital in Germany need less time. The post office offers a $2 discount to Army Post Office (APO) destinations on the LARGE Flat Rate boxes only which will end up costing you about $10 to ship. For candy sent AFTER the holidays, and no arrival deadling, regular mail is all that's necessary. Update 11/2/09: now that Halloween if over, you can just send your left-over candy Parcel Post.
  
• 
  
• The troops LOVE chocolate! Just like the rest of us! It's less likely to melt this time of year, but, make sure it is in a sealed bag. The US Postal Service requires any liquid (which the chocolate could become!) in sealed bags. If it is not in a manufacturers bag, then seal it in a Ziploc-style bag. No homemade/homebaked items allowed.
  
• 
  
• You will need to fill out a Customs Declaration form for each box. Getting the forms at the post office ahead of time, and partially filling in will help you once the candy starts arriving.
• Cards: You can buy packages of Halloween cards to include in the boxes, or, make your own. No name on the outside of the cards please. Our contacts will hand them out. Paper products are fun too (plates, napkins, silly stuff.)
  
• 
  
• Notes: You might want to include a note in each box to inform the troops of your name, address, and/or email address, to let them know who sent the goodies. Be sure to add that you got their name from "Aunt Nancy USA" but, that their name is NOT available online.

After Halloween:

Last year dozens of boxes of Halloween candy were sent to our troops using leftover goodies. School, families, and neighbors collected. It made the soldiers happy AND probably saved us a few extra pounds on the hips! Regular Parcel Post is the cheapest when no arrival deadline is required. The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center is low on candy for the wounded troops so let's get them some.

If you want to do that, let me know.

Then, get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Christmas packages need to be mailed to Iraq & Afghanistan by Thanksgiving week. IF you use Priority Mail, you can mail in early December for Baghdad. So it's already time to start organizing. Most people don't really think about it until Thanksgiving. Then, it's almost too late.

I will again be asking people to participate in sending filled Christmas stockings to our wounded troops at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany (LRMC). They like to begin handing out the goodies to our troops who arrive starting at Thanksgiving, and right up through New Year's Day. Take a look down the left side of this blog for pictures from previous years. LRMC has asked for 500 stockings this year. They also need knit caps and gloves for wounded troops being flown in cold helicopters.

And lastly, I will be out of town FOUR weeks between now and Christmas, including time out of the country. So, the earlier you contact me, the better chance I have of getting to you.

THANKS EVERYONE!!

_______________________________

CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS FOR THE TROOPS - 2008

It is very exciting to be sponsoring the Christmas stocking project again this year! It was a big success last year at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) where volunteers handed them out to the newly wounded troops arriving at this US Army hospital in Germany. The soldiers receiving them in Iraq were thrilled too!


CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS UPDATE

WOUNDED: We are all set with the 500 asked for by LRMC IF everyone who pledge stockings sends them.

SOLDIERS IN IRAQ: Also I'm trying to get as many as I can to our troops out in the field. I've had TWO new units join me this week, so I have over 200 Christmas stockings wanted! As I have to keep track of the number going to the different locations, please ask me for the addresses. I do not post that info online. Do not forward addresses I give you to others. If friends want to help have them email me.

For suggestions on what to send, see my blog post on November 3rd about Christmas Stockings to the Wounded Warriors :

LRMC Wounded Warriors Ministry - 500 Christmas Stockings wanted

MAILING DATES: From here on out you must use PRIORITY MAIL!

Packages should be sent out this week or next. Prior to Thanksgiving is usually my recommendation, and it's later this year than last. Mail to Germany and some troops in Iraq takes less time than Afghanistan, so for them the first week of December should be good, again, IF you use PRIORITY MAIL at the US post office.

CUSTOMS FORM: You will need to complete a Customs Declaration form. When listing items on the Customs form it can be a big red flag for thieves. That's always a concern. I never list "Christmas stockings". I write "socks". Of course, the candy and other details you have to list are tempting, but we gotta' do it! I also don't list the name of any candy, magazines, nor dvd titles. Use your imagination don't be too descriptive.
Anything liquid (shampoo, etc.) must be sealed in a plastic Ziploc-style bag.

Safety for the troops is a concern at the other end. Be sure to include a note INSIDE the box with your full name and address, and indicate that you are participating in the "Aunt Nancy USA Christmas project".

Boxes should be very neat and professional. No cute stickers or decorations. Use 2" wide tape on all edges. If the "TO" or "FROM" addresses are not absolutely readable the package may get discarded. Security reasons again.

FREE BOXES: Get your free boxes from the Post Office ASAP -- they often run out this time of year! FLAT RATE boxes have almost always saved me about half the shipping costs. Make sure you get the FLAT RATE Priority Mail boxes for APO mailing! There is a $2 mailing discount! Look for the "America Supports You" logo on the box and/or ASK for help at the post office. You can also order online. Here's what you can use. #3 is best so try to get your boxes ahead of time.

1. PRIORITY MAIL Box from the USPS - will get there quicker, but can be costly
   
2. FLAT RATE Priority Mail - one price for up to 20 lbs!! Usually saves me HALF the cost. ($9.80) 2 sizes/shapes available.
   
3. APO BOXES (Army Post Office) Large/Priority Mail box - is also FLAT RATE plus a $2.00 discount off of that. ($10.95 instead of $12.95) 12x12x5.5"

http://www.usps.com/prices/priority-mail-prices.htm

See the following

“This is the first time the Postal Service has offered a special price for our armed forces serving overseas,” said Postmaster General John Potter. “We’re proud that family and friends will be able to use this new larger-sized box to send much appreciated packages from home to our dedicated troops overseas.”

The new Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box (12" x 12" x 5 ½" or 800 cubic inches) will be available in Post Offices nationwide, but customers can order them at usps APO boxes or by calling 800-610-8734. Some of the new boxes are co-branded with the logo of America Supports You, which is a Department of Defense program that connects citizens offering support to the military and their families.

_______________________________

Sending cards to "Any Soldier" is NOT acceptable

Once again this year, there is an email circulating around the internet asking people to send an extra Christmas card or two to "Any Soldier", or "Recovering Soldier" at Walter Reed Hospital. The Army has warned of this mis-informed goal. You do not know where it actually started. While it is a noble idea, tens of thousands of Christmas cards have to be opened and inspected for security reasons, and it just can't be done by the hospitals. Thousands get thrown away.

Here's a link for other ways Walter Reed Army Hospital can use help: http://www.wramc.army.mil/support/Pages/default.aspx

I have names of troops you can send your cards to if you would like to do so.

_______________________________

LRMC Wounded Warriors Ministry - 500 Christmas Stockings wanted

The Chaplains at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) run the "Wounded Warriors Ministry". Soldiers are often medevac'd to LRMC directly after getting injured. These are the more seriously hurt or ill. They often arrive only in a hospital gown. The Ministry provides items of comfort to "fill holes" until their personal belongings catch up with them.

Last year, with your help, 1,000 Christmas stockings were sent and passed out to the troops arriving at this US Army Hospital in Germany. This year they only need 500, but so far participation has been very low. I hope you can help!

Let me know if you can make and send a couple or motivate your friends and co-workers to contribute a larger number, it will be greatly appreciated!

This is a picture of some of your stockings arriving in Germany last November.

Groups wanting to prepare large numbers of cards should make them Get-Well cards. The hospital receives thousands of Christmas cards this time of year, and can't use all of what they get. If you send a bunch, do not seal the individual cards. Use the large USPS Mili-pacs envelopes to mail several cards at a time. Most post offices do not stock these, but they can be ordered online easily. DO NOT SEND ANYTHING DIRECTLY TO THE HOSPITAL, or anything addressed to "Any Soldier" etc!

These young troops really enjoy hand-held electronic games. Teen youth groups could be encouraged to collect some, or the iPod shuffles and iTunes cards. Do not put them in the stockings -- put them in an envelope inside the same box as the stockings.

Here's a recent note from my contact at LRMC -- (contacts change each year)
"As for what I need, just your continued support of the WWMC. We couldn't operate without donors! I can tell you that from last year, the wounded warriors loved taking a stocking. Some had to be persuaded, but everyone left with a smile on their face!"

Some suggested items for the Christmas stockings for the wounded:
CANDY! Chocolate, Twizzlers, M&Ms, whatever! Lots of it!
Find fun holiday versions of the goodies -- those are especially welcome in stockings.
Small candy canes - they don't break as much in shipping.
Small cans of chips and cookies, chewing gum, beef jerkey
Fun stuff from local drug stores - small novelties, decorations
Girl Scout Cookies are LOVED!
Healthy snack bars
"Little Debbie"-type treats
A Get Well card or a Christmas card may be inserted into the stocking.
Breath-mint strips
Small hand-held mirrors
Nail clippers
Travel size Gold Bond Powder
Travel size shower gel
*Phone cards – Domestic only with no expiration date
*iTunes Cards
*iPod Shuffles
*Hand-held electronic gamesDVDs (no extreme violence or nudity – no VHS tapes)
*These last items should NOT be put in the Christmas stockings; keep them separate.

The younger generation has many of the newer electronic gadgets. They no longer need music CDs, nor AAA batteries, for instance! Now they mostly download music from the internet. It's tough keeping up with them!

Some veterans have told me that the troops would rather receive sports teams news, caps, pictures, or shirts, than shampoo any day!

Below is a list of items NOT needed.

Check it out because there are some items on it I previously suggested some of you should send. I'll update it if I get new info. This list came from Landstuhl.

Wounded Warrior Ministry Center
Pastoral Services Division
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

ITEMS NOT NEEDED AT THIS TIME

As of this time we have no need for anything not on the current list (updated regularly). Thank you for your generosity. Please DO NOT send the following:

No International phone cards, or phone cards that have an expiration date
NO CDs, Video tapes
No AA or AAA nor any size batteries
No magazines, books, puzzles, sudoko games
No Books, Playing cards
No Bar soap, large and hotel size
No Bubble bath, salts
No Hair conditioner
No Large toothpaste
No Toothbrushes
No Combs
No Lip Balm/Chapstick
No Make-up and facial creams, nail polish, etc. including samples
No Hair pins and bands
No Q-tips
No Large economy size toiletries
No Small hotel size toiletries
No Lap blankets/double, queen or king size blankets
No Women’s underwear
No Feminine products
No Men’s white or color briefs
No Pencils (mechanical pencils okay), erasers and pencil sharpeners
No Writing paper
No Blank greeting cards
No Signed holiday cards (Christmas, Valentines, Easter, etc.) Please only send a very few – we receive thousands more than the number of patients that come in all year and cannot possibly distribute them all.
No Over the counter medications/any medications
No Coffee mugs
No Candles, matches, lighters
No Canned food
No Any knitted items
No used items and please,
No Used clothing – or clothing with stains or holes or broken zippers, missing buttons, etc.

_______________________________

Send your extra Halloween candy to the Troops!

If you have a bunch of left over Halloween candy consider sending it to the troops! They love it, and they often use it to pass along to the grateful children in Iraq and Afghanistan!

Make it a family, office, or Scout project!
And don't worry, the troops prefer melted chocolate to NO chocolate!

Candy is quite heavy, so in this case if often pays to use the FLAT RATE Priority Mail boxes. You pay one price regardless of weight. (about $8 to $10 a box). Get some boxes first from the post office and compare costs. There's really no hurry now so if parcel post works out cheaper use that. It will depend on how much you mail. The USPS offers a $2 discount on some Priority Mail boxes to Army Post Offices (APO) so make sure you get the right ones!

Another option: separate the candy and use any non-Halloween looking treats to fill up some Christmas stockings for the troops! These should be mailed by Thanksgiving.

Whenever you send something, be sure to let the troops know you received their name from "Aunt Nancy" at "Aunt Nancy USA".

Email me at nancy@auntnancyusa.com and I'll tell you were to send it!

Be sure to include a note with your name and address, indicating you have checked the candy. No homebaked nor homemade food should be sent. Store bought only, in original packaging.

_______________________________

2008 Christmas Projects - start NOW!

It's that time of the year already!

Thanksgiving cards should go out by the end of October, packages now.

MOST CHRISTMAS PACKAGES TO IRAQ SHOULD BE MAILED THE WEEK BEFORE THANKSGIVING! You can get an extra week using Priority Mail, which I always recommend anyway!

I am getting a couple of new units in Afghanistan, and because mail there is MUCH slower than Iraq, I recommend earlier if possible. PRIORITY MAIL helps.

CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS PROJECTS: Yesterday I received an email from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany (LRMC), and they would appreciate our participation again. The great news is: they only need about 500 this year as incoming wounded numbers are WAY down! (Last year we sent 1,000.) They do NOT want Christmas cards -- they get thousands. The do need and accept get-well cards.

They are still looking for help with t-shirts, slippers, and other necessary items for the wounded if you want to help that way. If you want to help in this year-long project, ask me.

I'll also be looking for Christmas stockings for the Afghanistan troops. Their facilities are quite bare, they need hygiene items as well as fun stuff (the typical stocking stuffers: candy, cookies, chips, beef jerky, & other goodies, DVDs, etc). We can also send tins of cookies. Everything will be collected by their chaplain and distributed at Christmas services.

If you want to participate, send me an email with the request in the SUBJECT LINE.
Example:
LRMC stockings for wounded troops,
Afghanistan troop stockings,
Afghanistan cookie tins,
or
Adopt-a-Soldier (either just for the holidays, or all year)


I do NOT publish addresses on this blog. You must email your request to me.


I suggest the classic red & white stockings that are approximately 20" x 9". You can purchase them for as little as 99 cents at the local dollar stores. But you can use whatever size and color you'd like. Even make your own.

Candy and other fun holiday-themed goodies and "stuff" from the drug stores, Target, grocery stores, etc., are good fillers. Small candy canes tend not to break like the full-size ones you might hang on a tree. They no longer want batteries nor music CDs. The do want domestic phone cards (withOUT expiration dates), iTune cards, and would LOVE iPod shuffles (for their downloaded music). Those last few are an awesome addition, but of course would add a lot of cost. Do whatever you can.

Please insert a note or Christmas card in your stockings, or at least the shipping box, saying you are participating in

"The Aunt Nancy USA Holiday Project www.auntnancyusa.com"

Then you might also include your family or group name & photo, and your own email or snail-mail address. You could also include a return envelope with your address and a blank notecard.

Make your packages very neat. If the addresses "TO" or "FROM" are not clear the packages get tossed out. Don't put "cute" stuff on the outside of the box. Make the box look professional. Use 2" tape on ALL edges. No string. When reusing a box from something else, be sure to black out any bar codes or previous mailing addresses.

Groups such as Scout packs can often get $100 donations from stores like Target. Many offer help for community groups. It's worth asking!


As always, I will do my best to try to keep up with all the emails this time of year. In the past I manage to lose or miss several of you (especially last year after the "Family Fun" article). This project is just me and my trusty laptop, no group of helpers. There are still about 25 people on my waiting-to-adopt-a-soldier list.

Email me at: Nancy@auntnancyusa.com

More mailing deadline info:
Link to United States Postal Service Military Holiday Shipping dates: USPS Dates

MORE GOOD NEWS:

The United States Postal Service (USPS) Priority Mail, Large, Flat Rate Box to APO/FPO addresses receives $2 reduction!

Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Boxes shipped to an APO/FPO destination receive a $2 reduction. Either version of the large box — with or without the America Supports You logo — can receive the reduced price at retail or online. The smaller regular flat-rate boxes are not eligible for the military price reduction.

Be sure to check you get the right box and rate from the post office! The boxes are free!

Get your boxes, and Customs Declaration forms, early. Having the boxes may help you figure out how much you want to stuff the stockings.

Many of last year's tips still apply. Click on "Mailing tips" or "Christmas mailings" under GROUP TOPICS on the left for more details.
_______________________________

NEW FLAT-RATE BOX & FIRST EVER MILITARY DISCOUNT

Postal Service Offers First-Time Military Discount

For New, Large Flat-Rate Box

WASHINGTON, DC — Planning to send a care package to a U.S. military service member serving abroad? Send it after March 3 to take advantage of a new flat-rate box from the U.S. Postal Service that is 50 percent larger and delivered for $10.95 to an APO/FPO address — $2 less than for domestic destinations.

“This is the first time the Postal Service has offered a special price for our armed forces serving overseas,” said Postmaster General John Potter. “We’re proud that family and friends will be able to use this new larger-sized box to send much appreciated packages from home to our dedicated troops overseas.”

The new Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box (12" x 12" x 5 ½" or 800 cubic inches) will be available in Post Offices nationwide beginning March 3, but customers can begin ordering them Feb. 20 at usps APO boxes or by calling 800-610-8734. Some of the new boxes are co-branded with the logo of America Supports You, which is a Department of Defense program that connects citizens offering support to the military and their families.

“It’s terrific that the Postal Service continues to think of ways to help Americans support our troops and their families. Postage is always a concern when shipping care packages, and this new flat-rate box means our home front groups and supportive citizens can do more with their resources,” said Allison Barber, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. “We’re especially pleased that some of the boxes will bear the America Supports You logo reminding our service members that they have our nation’s support.”

The $2 discount is applied when the Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Boxes are shipped to an APO/FPO destination. The two existing flat-rate boxes (11 7/8" x 3 3/8" x 13 5/8" and 11" x 8 ½" x 5 ½"), which currently retail for $8.95 for U.S. addresses, are not available for the military discount. All flat-rate boxes can be used for international shipping.

The new flat-rate boxes will be available in Post Offices starting March 3. The America Supports You branded box will be available online, at select Post Offices near military bases, or by calling 800-610-8734.

Order special boxes here!

Remember to list your items BEFORE sealing the box! (duh, the voice of experience here!) More suggestions are on another "Mailing Tips" blog entry at Christmas time. Look under "Grouped Topics" on the left of the Blog.
Sample Customs Declaration form:

_________________________________

Tips on getting mail responses

Often people ask me how to best get a response from their soldier(s). You probably think I'm an expert! Well, if you factor in that I have tried to send a letter to every soldier that is sent my way, my own "return rate" is very low. I have received a 100 responses, thank-yous, flags, certificates, Christmas cards, gifts, many many emails, but considering the number I have sent out....

Most of my time now is spent connecting others. In fact, since the Disney publicity in November, I have not been able to send letters of introduction to all the new troops that have come to me. I should have mentioned that to those of you who have sponsored a new soldier since October! Your troop might not know anything about "Aunt Nancy USA"! I hope to get back to doing that soon.

Meanwhile, I'd like to post here some suggestions from volunteers who HAVE had great response. If you have suggestions, send them my way (soldiers OR sponsors can send ideas in). I'll keep posting ideas on this Blog entry, so come back and check it again.

The first thing to remember is that these guys and gals are in a war zone and often working 7 days a week, 12 to 18 hours a day! They may have enough energy to READ your letter, but if they get time and energy to write, it's their families and friends they will respond to first. Many of the troops have desk jobs at base camp and if they do, then we get lucky and get email replies! The others may only get 30 minutes online every once in awhile.

• My first suggestion is to write very neatly on your envelopes and packages. Some get tossed out if they can't be read, especially due to security. Make sure the soldier's address AND your return address are very clear.
• Always include a return envelope with your address already on it. (no postage is required for their return mail). Maybe even send them some little address stickers.
• Include your email address just in case they get to use a computer. (Most can, but only occasionally, and then they write to family and friends first.)
  
• Buy a box of cards ("Michaels" sells them for $1.00!) Send often, at least once a week until you get a response. You don't have to write a lot in each notecard.
  
• If you have sent a fews packages without hearing back (allow 2 months) you might write to say you won't send more until you get a response and are sure they are arriving.
  
• Keep your letters upbeat, even funny. Send cheer! Tell them about everyday life back home, and what's going on in your world.
  
• Send pictures! They like to know see who is writing them, just like we like to see their photo.
• Talk local sports. Send memorabilia! Magazines, ball caps, shirts, whatever! Pro, college... One soldier wrote: "We'd much rather receive a sporting item that reminds us of home than a can of shaving cream any day!"
• Look up your soldier on MySpace or Facebook! You may find his/her interests there.
  

Here's one from a woman who writes lots of soldiers, and she writes extremely often.

Yes, Jamey and I are becoming friends. I got e-mail right away. I might add that my soldiers get almost daily snail mail from me, so they don’t stand a chance if they are not talkative. Lol…. I don’t wait for responses and I threaten boredom for them if they don’t at least tell me something they want to hear about..lol Im always up for another soldier or 2 or 10 if somebody needs me. Thanks for Jamey….

I like her "threaten boredom" approach! :-)


I work VERY hard to keep in touch with my contacts to make sure the troop names and APO (Army Post Office) addresses are still valid. Of course, I can't be as perfect as I'd like, but I sure try. If you get a change, or an email address, please forward that info to me.

Send me your success suggestions! I'll be back adding more soon.

_____________________________________

Girl Scout Cookies!

What is the very most favorite treat of all for the soldiers???

It could just be GIRL SCOUT COOKIES! Not only are they tasty as we all know, but there is something especially "American" and therefore sentimental, about them! Any cookie with chocolate might possibly win you a friend for life! Now's the time to order! It's cold there now -- mailing chocolate is OK.

If you missed sending cards for Mardi Gras and Valentines Day, don't forget St. Pat's, or just about any other excuse! Some people send a card a week which would be really fun and supportive, but every couple of weeks is very nice if you can. A month is a VERY long time in Iraq!

_________________________

NEWS! Now you CAN mail cards to the wounded troops!

Here's good news! The Military has come up with a way to send cards to the wounded troops around the world! Security has been the big issue. I received this email a couple of days ago. Check it out:

Below is the correct information until 27 December, 2007.

Holiday Cards to Injured Service Members This Holiday Season

The following message is from Neal Denton, Senior Vice President, Service to the Armed Forces: This holiday season, we have a great opportunity to bring a touch of home to wounded warriors recovering in military hospitals across the country.

As you may know, the American public has a strong desire to send holiday cards to soldiers staying at Walter Reed and other military medical centers. However, for security reasons, the former military program was discontinued. One of our colleagues at Walter Reed suggested, "If

anyone can find a solution to this - it's the Red Cross."

We're proud that this season, communities across America are invited to mail holiday greeting cards along with personal messages of support to wounded soldiers at military hospitals around the country, through a unique partnership of the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Mailing Solutions.

Now we have a solution that will not only benefit soldiers at Walter Reed, but also recovering soldiers at military hospitals around the nation. With the help of the Department of Defense, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Pitney Bowes, between now and December 27, members of the public will be invited to mail their holiday cards to:

We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross
PO Box 419
Savage, MD 20763-0419

Red Cross volunteers will sort the cards for appropriate content and repackage them for shipping. Our steadfast partners, Pitney Bowes, will ship the cards to Red Cross stations at the military hospitals.

This project provides a great opportunity for chapters and station offices to coordinate resources and volunteers. Staff members at national headquarters will call each station office before packages are mailed to that military hospital. Those station managers will be looking for chapter volunteer support to help in accepting, storing and delivering the cards.

We realize this is short notice. It took some time to work out a plan with the Department of Defense to revitalize this wonderful program and provide a way for people to express their support. I have every confidence that Red Crossers will want to participate in this joyous project. Already, we have had a very positive response at national headquarters to help with the sorting and packing.

Thank you for your support of SAF. And our office hopes that you enjoy your holidays surrounded by friends and family!

------------------------------

CHRISTMAS MAILING TIPS & CUSTOMS FORMS - PLEASE READ

According to the United States Postal Service website:

You can send packages to APO addresses

by PRIORITY MAIL until December 4, 2007

PARCEL POST PACKAGES SHOULD HAVE BEEN MAILED
BY NOVEMBER 13th

USE PRIORITY MAIL FROM THIS DATE ON!!

Just get those packages out ASAP!!

Nov 13 was the deadline recommended by the USPS - for Parcel Post. If you are using Priority Mail you might be able to mail as late as December 4th for most of "our" troops, but I recommend the last week of November as a deadline. If you are sending decorations, mail even sooner so the guys and gals get a chance to use them.

I HIGHLY recommend PRIORITY MAIL at all times if you can afford it. It gets handled quicker in the USA AND overseas! Sometimes it only costs $1 or $2 more. (especially FLAT RATE boxes). Get your boxes ASAP as the Post Office often runs out of them. You can order online and the boxes get delivered to your door, just like stamps.

Check it out on this post office website, which also lists mailing deadlines. I've also cut & pasted the chart down at the bottom of this Blog entry. www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/localnews/in/in_2007_1004.htm

MAILING LATE: Don't ever NOT mail something because it might be late! It's much better to get that Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or birthday package a few days after an event than not at all!

NON-PROFITS: Schools, Scout groups -- many local business offer donations each month. I think it's TARGET and WAL-MART, for instance, who give out $100 each month to a requesting non-profit group. Some groups have even been fortunate enough to get shipping donations from UPS, and other freight companies. Give it a try to help pay your postage. Let me know if you are successful and I'll post any hints or suggestions you may have for others.

Here is a great Marines website for care packages and more detailed mailing info: http://www.usmchangout.com/troopsupport/carepackages/

HOW TO MAIL:

The APO (Army Post Office) address you get is for a military base located in the USA. You are not actually mailing overseas, and hence, you only have to pay DOMESTIC POSTAGE RATES. The military flies it from the USA to its destination. The soldiers can mail back letters for FREE.
Cards and letters therefore cost the normal First Class postage rate (currently 41 cents).

• Use LOTS OF TAPE on packages. These boxes travel a long way and are handled many times. Tape also helps reduce theft. Wrap tape in both directions around a box, cover all seams, edges, and corners. Keep it neat and professional looking. Use packing tape (clear or brown preferred) rather than duct tape or colorful tape.
• Print the name and address VERY clear. If not, the package could get thrown out.
• Print your name and return address VERY clear. If not, for security reasons, your package will not be delivered nor returned.
  
• I highly recommend using US Postal Service PRIORITY MAIL. The packages are handled quicker at both ends, and, the boxes are FREE from the post office.
  
• Priority Mail FLAT RATE boxes can save you a lot of money (over regular Priority Mail). The postage is $8.95 regardless of the weight. Try to pick them up ahead of time, as your post office may run out this time of year. Make sure you see "FLAT RATE" printed on the boxes. There are only two sizes and they are about shoe box size for volume. http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&categoryId=13359&productId=11697&langId=-1
  
• Parcel Post is cheaper, but can be slow. (and not recommended for holiday shipping)
• Shoe box size packages are best and seem to arrive quicker than large boxes. Mail smaller packages more frequently, rather than a large box.
• Don't decorate the boxes with cute stickers or holiday wrap that could attract the eyes of potential thieves. Make it look neat and as business-like as possible.
  

CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORMS:

You will need to fill out a U.S. Customs form for anything other than a card or letter. Under 1 lb is a simple form. I think anything over 1 lb requires the form shown at the bottom of this post.

You will be required to list the contents, so make notes BEFORE you seal the box! ...A hint from my own experience. :-)

The approximate value of the items will also be necessary.

You can be creative when labeling contents as, again, you want to reduce chances of theft. For instance, I never list "12 Christmas Stockings". Instead, I write "12 socks". Much less interesting, eh?

The USPS can now (for a small fee) provide delivery confirmation (not insurance) for almost all military destinations outside the United States!

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE:

LETTERS: Basically, it can take 7 to 14 days for a First Class letter if your troop is located near an airport or military base; 21 or more if they are in a forward operating base.

PACKAGES: can take as little as 10 days or as long as 6 weeks.

Your soldier may be out in the field and away from the base for days or weeks at a time. Only about half the soldiers send a reply.

MILI-KITS: If you mail often there is a great "Mili-Kit" available from the USPS. It includes boxes, address labels, and Customs forms. You may call 1-800-610-8734 for orders. They deliver! The kit does NOT include FLAT RATE boxes. I have not found a place to order "Mili-Kits" online.

MAILING LOTS OF CARDS OR LETTERS TO ONE UNIT? There ARE large, durable, mailing envelopes for military/APO use which you can order online. I find these great for mailing a bunch of letters or cards to the troops...Perfect for school and Scout group cards. Check out: http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&productId=21408&langId=-1

MAIL OFTEN! Even if you don't get a response, send another note of cheer and support. Your letter might be the only positive part of his or her day. These men and women are working very long, hot, days and often 7 days a week.

U.S. Post Office Mailing Dates (recommended):

Military Mail Addressed To	Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)1	First Class Mail® Letters/Cards	Priority Mail®	Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)2	Space Available Mail (SAM)3	Parcel Post®
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092	Dec. 18	Dec. 11	Dec. 11	Dec. 4	Nov. 27	Nov. 13
APO/FPO AE ZIP 093	N/A	Dec. 4	Dec. 4	Dec. 1	Nov. 27	Nov. 13
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098	Dec. 18	Dec. 11	Dec. 11	Dec. 4	Nov. 27	Nov. 13
APO/FPO AA ZIPs 340	Dec. 18	Dec. 11	Dec. 11	Dec. 4	Nov. 27	Nov. 13
APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966	Dec. 1	Dec. 11	Dec. 11	Dec. 4	Nov. 27	Nov. 13

And don't forget New Year's packages are fun too!

These should be mailed by the first week of December. Here are some ideas: http://www.mninternational.com/New-Years-Celebration/New-Years-Party-Kits/Catalog.cfm/iCatID/2056/blnFromPackView/0/iParentId/2021

-----------------------------
Here is a SAMPLE Customs form (it's an old version, but you'll get the idea.)

Mailing HOAX - sending to "Any Soldier", etc

There is an email circulating around the internet asking people to send an extra Christmas card or two to "Any Soldier", or "Recovering Soldier" at Walter Reed Hospital.

DO NOT DO THIS!

For security reasons the Military will not accept such mail, and, the hospital would not be able to handle that many cards either.

The same is true for sending packages overseas.


Please pass this information back up the email chain if you have received such an email, or get one in the future.

Also, my contact at Walter Reed Army Hospital (shown on my website) is no longer there, so do not use that address for cards either.

US Army warns of holiday mail hoax

Networkworld.com website

The US Army is warning the public of a hoax e-mail asking recipients to send holiday mail to soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The e-mail instructs recipients to send Christmas cards to "A Recovering American Soldier," and lists Walter Reed's Washington, D.C., mailing address.
While the idea sounds good on paper the medical center cannot accept and the US Postal Service no longer will deliver such items. Under a 2001 policy designed to improve security, the medical center can't accept mail addressed to "Any Wounded Soldier" or "A Recovering American Soldier."
According to an article on the ArmyTimes.com Web site, Lt. Col. Kevin Arata, a spokesman for Army Human Resources Command, said his office has been inundated with inquiries from the public about the e-mail. "It's not true," he said. "Don't do it."
Instead, the public is asked to military's "American Supports You" Web site for information about more than 300 nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping U.S. soldiers and their families.

The Walter Reed Web site offers these sites if you want to show support for service personnel:
USO: http://www.usocares.org/
US Army site: http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/tooursoldiers/
Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org

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