Planet members and their kids serving in Iraq and Afghanistan need our support.

[BigRedChief]

I know of one member of Chiefs Planet getting ready to go to Afghaniastan. I know
another that has a son getting ready to deploy. Another that has a son already there. I propose that we raise money and ship some "goddies" over to the units where Chiefs Planet members or their kids are serving our country. To let them know they are not alone, that some of us back here in the USA appreciate their sacrifice and service.

I will personally pay all the shipping costs and coordinate the project.

I will pay all the paypal fees of the members who donate. If you donate $20 to buy goodies for the troops, $20 goes to the troops.

If you want to send a check, or some goodies yourself, donated items, PM me for a mailing address.

If you have a store that has items that would go in the care package and would sell those at cost and or donate, PM me.

100% of the money raised will go to purchase items for the troops. I will update this thread with the progress and post pictures of the "goodies" and items that will be shipped to the troops.

This is not a political thread or idea. The point is to support the Planet members or their kids on a personal level while they are voluntarily putting themselfs in harms way for us.

PM me for the paypal address. If you know of someone serving overseas, PM me and we will put them on the list to recieve a care package

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

A thank you card for the planet from the troops over in the sandbox.

Originally Posted by Jethopper

I just wanted to send a shout out to BigRedChief. Most of you don't know, but I am a grunt in the 82nd airborne and I am currently in Afghanistan. Yesterday, after a long week of field work, I came back to the FOB to recharge and what do I see? 2 care packages from BRC. Well me and my boys enjoyed the snacks and we thank you, bud. HOOAH

Hey BRC,

A few days after my wife checked with her brother's wife about this package, he was injured in an IED attack and sent home for medical treatment. Today we learned that his driver and the guy who took his place were both killed by an IED. It's a tough job these guys have (both in terms of personal risk and also in terms of dealing with the loss of close friends).

Thanks again for all the support you facilitate!

NAME EDITED

Originally Posted by Barney Stinson

That's awesome news. Thanks to the new and continuing supporters that keeps this going. As a solider on the receiving side; it means so much to have complete strangers contribute to these packages. Its a moral victory, makes you feel noticed, affirmation. In some of the worst times I've ever experienced, a small note or package surprising me made the difference between being depressed and feeling validated. Agree or not for the reasons we're there, coming together and supporting the troops with their boots on the ground is a profound statement, and it does not go un-noticed by the troops receiving the packages. Don't make fun of what I'm saying, never in my life has a simple gesture made me feel so good and happy to be an american. Keep donating if you feel inclined, it matters more than you know to the troops receiving it.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Surely we all have some items that would be useful to the troops out in the sandbox to remind them of...the Chiefs?

Why in God's name would we want to do that? Don't they have enough to worry about with bullets flying over their heads all day?









J/K BRC. It's a good thing you are doing. My wife's nephew is over there and we are getting ready to send a huge care package to him with lots of stuff he can share with other soldiers.

I know Iowanian has done this before when his brother was over there. He may have some ideas for you.

[Inspector]

Great idea. This will prompt me into being more savvy about the internet.

We have sent stuff over in the past (Our kid is on his 3rd deployment) but we always sent it to our kid for him to share with his guys. I'll tell her about this when I get home.

Thanks for caring and for your support of our troops!

[Iowanian]

Flat rate boxes are your best bet for shipping.



I'm told you can fit 13 beers, a bag of jerky and a smut book in one if you wanted to, but it would have to be sent to a non-fun hater.


CP members came up with a great package for my brother's unit a few years ago...it happend quickly and quietly, but these guys came through. Computer games and stuff were a hit as well. Most have laptops.


Send the stuff to other units....we're taking pretty good care of my brother this time.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

Flat rate boxes are your best bet for shipping.



I'm told you can fit 13 beers, a bag of jerky and a smut book in one if you wanted to, but it would have to be sent to a non-fun hater.


CP members came up with a great package for my brother's unit a few years ago...it happend quickly and quietly, but these guys came through. Computer games and stuff were a hit as well. Most have laptops.


Send the stuff to other units....we're taking pretty good care of my brother this time.

Thanks for the input. Your experience and Inspectors will make it go a lot smoother. There has to be some "stuff" they can't get there, that they would like to have that they enjoyed back in the USA.

Right now those Planeteers who have publically said they or their son's are going to Iraq/Afghanistan are Crazy Coffey, Inspector and KCWolfman.

Anything can be given annoumusly. I will keep your generosity between myself and your maker.

[seclark]

my son's over there now for his second time. we're taking pretty good care of him, sending packages, so stuff from the planet isn't needed.

it is nice that stuff can get sent to anonymous troops.

good thoughts, brc.
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[Iowanian]

beer, liquor, porn.....thats what they want and can't have.


Jerky, dehydrated fruit and things like that have been wildly popular and you can't send enough. It's bow season, so we'll be sending fresh deer jerky again soon. Candles have been good too(not foofy ones)....but men who live together and are out on long missions tend to stink and so does their stuff


I've sent a blow up 6' swimming pool, leaving it to their creativity...I try to find something once in a while that might be fun.
As I've said before, I sent probably 20-30 computer games from members here before, and they went quickly.

I'm sure some of the outposts of Afganistan have different needs than those in Iraq based out of the major bases.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

beer, liquor, porn.....thats what they want and can't have.


Jerky, dehydrated fruit and things like that have been wildly popular and you can't send enough. It's bow season, so we'll be sending fresh deer jerky again soon. Candles have been good too(not foofy ones)....but men who live together and are out on long missions tend to stink and so does their stuff


I've sent a blow up 6' swimming pool, leaving it to their creativity...I try to find something once in a while that might be fun.
As I've said before, I sent probably 20-30 computer games from members here before, and they went quickly.

I'm sure some of the outposts of Afganistan have different needs than those in Iraq based out of the major bases.

Once we decide who gets the first package, my plan is to email the troops there and ask them what they need or want? And then make it happen.

[joesomebody]

Careful Iowanian. Not positive, but I'm betting jerkey is supposed to be stamped by the USDA. I'm sure it will get through, but fresh deer jerkey may be a problem.

Usually (as was the case in all of the bases I was at overseas) customs only approves meat and food products that are inspected by the USDA. Just a heads up.

And great idea BRC, I'll try and see what I can come up with to help out your goal.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by joesomebody

Careful Iowanian. Not positive, but I'm betting jerkey is supposed to be stamped by the USDA. I'm sure it will get through, but fresh deer jerkey may be a problem.

Usually (as was the case in all of the bases I was at overseas) customs only approves meat and food products that are inspected by the USDA. Just a heads up.

And great idea BRC, I'll try and see what I can come up with to help out your goal.

yeah, I don't want to get caught skirting the rules and then the care package ends up in some dumpster and doesn't make it to the troops. Maybe ship a smaller one that has porn etc. in it in a seperate package? But, jjjeeezzzz a man risking his life, thousands of miles away should at least have a hustler or something on base, regardless of the social norm of the country. It's our friggin norm, its on a military installation. Screw um

[seclark]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

yeah, I don't want to get caught skirting the rules and then the care package ends up in some dumpster and doesn't make it to the troops. Maybe ship a smaller one that has porn etc. in it in a seperate package?

be careful w/the porn...
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[JohninGpt]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

yeah, I don't want to get caught skirting the rules and then the care package ends up in some dumpster and doesn't make it to the troops. Maybe ship a smaller one that has porn etc. in it in a seperate package? But, jjjeeezzzz a man risking his life, thousands of miles away should at least have a hustler or something on base, regardless of the social norm of the country. It's our friggin norm, its on a military installation. Screw um

I wouldn't worry too much about sending porn. There are enough xxx rated dvd's in circulation at any of those bases to make Marilyn Chambers blush.

Booze on the other hand.....

[Iowanian]

Originally Posted by joesomebody

Careful Iowanian. Not positive, but I'm betting jerkey is supposed to be stamped by the USDA. I'm sure it will get through, but fresh deer jerkey may be a problem.

Usually (as was the case in all of the bases I was at overseas) customs only approves meat and food products that are inspected by the USDA. Just a heads up.

And great idea BRC, I'll try and see what I can come up with to help out your goal.

Duh...thats why you write "shampoo and toiletries" on the customs form.


I care more about getting the people I want things that they want while they're in those shitholes than I care about a USDA requirement. What is deer jerky going to do, spread germs to the sewage filled streets of APO shithole, Iraq?

If you're sending anything that isn't up and up, be sure it is only going to that individual to sort through and deal with.

I've sent many packages to several soldiers over the years and haven't had anything busted/removed by customs yet that I know of.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

Duh...thats why you write "shampoo and toiletries" on the customs form.

Okay, initial research says I'm going to have to sign my name to something that says whats in the package. If I lie of the form I could get in trouble with my employer and lose my job. so the packages will have to be on the up and up when I send them.

[BigRedChief]

2 hours after the initial post....first donation is in the kitty.