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.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by kcchuck

Gates makes all meat taste better!

Good point.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by kcchuck

Just saw this BRC, count me in for a paypal donation. From past experience, I can tell you that a couple of big bottles of KC BBQ sauce(plastic bottles) and dry rub are big hits with the troops, nothing like a little taste of home cookin, and have no problems getting thru customs.

Send me the info for paypal, the planet has sent/helped send two different care packages to my brother's units serving in Iraq the past few years, and it's time for a little payback, I will get the Col to chip in also!

You don't have private messaging turned on? No way to send you the paypal addy. We are friends on facebook, right? Ping me on there.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by kcchuck

Just saw this BRC, count me in for a paypal donation. From past experience, I can tell you that a couple of big bottles of KC BBQ sauce(plastic bottles) and dry rub are big hits with the troops, nothing like a little taste of home cookin, and have no problems getting thru customs.

Send me the info for paypal, the planet has sent/helped send two different care packages to my brother's units serving in Iraq the past few years, and it's time for a little payback, I will get the Col to chip in also!

Yeah, good idea. I can find some plastic bottles. I'm shipping some spices(Lowery's season salt etc) with the packages. Got that tip from Iowaian. Still working on Hy-Vee to give me a discount but because we are not a 501.c its an uphill battle.

[kcchuck]

You can now buy Gates and Jackstack sauce in big plastic bottles at Cosco, if not your local Hyvee.

Thanks for doing this!

Will send you a message on FB for paypal info.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by kcchuck

You can now buy Gates and Jackstack sauce in big plastic bottles at Cosco, if not your local Hyvee.

Thanks for doing this!

Will send you a message on FB for paypal info.

jeeezzz how much do one of those Costco suckers weigh? You trying to kill me on shipping cost?

[kcchuck]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

jeeezzz how much do one of those Costco suckers weigh? You trying to kill me on shipping cost?

I only found/sent the "small" big bottles at Costco, maybe 32ounce, but you are correct, if you started to send over gallon jugs, the shipping costs get expensive. The last care pkg I sent over cost about $160.00, but it had computer paper, printer, and lots of other goodies. PS, regular US mail gets there just as quick as any other method.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by kcchuck

I only found/sent the "small" big bottles at Costco, maybe 32ounce, but you are correct, if you started to send over gallon jugs, the shipping costs get expensive. The last care pkg I sent over cost about $160.00, but it had computer paper, printer, and lots of other goodies. PS, regular US mail gets there just as quick as any other method.

Yeah, I made the deal with people. I'm covering all shipping costs. I'm going to use those USPS large mailing boxes. No weight limit. Just whatever you can cram in the box. I'm doing pretty good. Sitting in my barcolounger bitching about the Chiefs while some of my fellow countryman are just looking foward to not getting shot at, a hot shower. This ain't chit compared to what they are doing on a daily basis. They honor us, remind us of what is best in all of us.

[BigRedChief]

Okay, I got a great idea from mlyonsd to ship some instant snow over to the troops. Just add water and instant snowball fight. That will give them some good distraction, at least until it melts.
http://snowinseconds.com/

[BigRedChief]

Total money contributed so far is now $325.00 minus paypal fees. I've contributed all the paypal fees.

We are still seeking worthy units/individuals to recieve a package. If you know of one just let me know here or PM me.

[BigRedChief]

Okay, guys I think I'm going to ask the mods to unsticky this thread. I see this as a long term project and we don't want this thread as a permanent sticky. Put it back up as a sticky a couple of weeks before Christmas. I'll still bump it with updates. Sound good? Opinons?

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Okay, guys I think I'm going to ask the mods to unsticky this thread. I see this as a long term project and we don't want this thread as a permanent sticky. Put it back up as a sticky a couple of weeks before Christmas. I'll still bump it with updates. Sound good? Opinons?

Sounds good to me. It's a nice thing you're doing here.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by patteeu

Sounds good to me. It's a nice thing you're doing here.

I'm just a facilitator, the Planeteers that are contributing the funds to buy the goodies are the ones making this happen. I'm just a pawn in game of life.

BTW, This is truly a bi-partisan project. As a matter of fact I think more money has been contributed by people who oppose my political views than support them. Supporting our troops has nothing to do with the politics of war. It has everything to do with honoring their service and sacrifice as a fellow citizen on a personal level.

[kcchuck]

Sorry for my delay, $ sent BRC, and thanks again for doing this!

[BigRedChief]

Total so far = $375.00

I'm going to chose to not disclose how much I'm personally paying in paypal fees and shipping costs. Would seem like bragging or something untoward. Unless someone doesn't like that idea. I've been trusted with other peoples money to provide "goodies" to our brave soldiers. Everything must be kept "above board" and transparent. And I'm not the boss. The community decides the big picture.

[thawk]

This is awsome for you to do. If you needed to you could probably raise money while tailgateing this weekend also, just an idea. Would just need to let people know where you would be if you are there. Also customes forms ask what is in the box. The troops love mouthwash. A buddy of mine always had to use Crown Royal for mouth wash because I put mouthwash on the form and it was not his fault I put a half gallon of Crown in the mail every month instead of Scope. How the game is played. He was 1st sergant so he may have had a little more leeway, but he said his CO was always asking him abiut his fresh breath so they know what is going on.