QUICK!-go to anysoldier.com-OUR US military need our SUPPORT!

[tooter bop]

With the holiday season approaching, the decorations, caroling, homemade cooking and the smell of sweet baked goodies are all the more reason to get us in the festive mood for gift-giving, right? We remember the real reason for the season-our Savior born to be unselfishly sacrificed.
As we merge into a busy time of year, I ask that you remember OUR soldiers who are fighting for OUR freedom so that WE can enjoy freedom here with our family and friends. Remember that many OUR soldiers will not be home for the holidays, to enjoy all that I mentioned above. SACRIFICE. I believe that it is our duty as fellow brothers and sisters that we support our military regardless about how we feel politics and war. These are real men and women who risk their lives hourly, daily, monthly and for some, yearly. If you don't believe me, see for yourself, go to AnySoldier.com
I must warn you though-make sure you have a box of tissues nearby-you'll never be the same after you visit this site. Don't worry, no gruesome or bloody images. Just real people, OUR soldiers, asking and relying solely on the support of their fellow Americans that they are committed to defending. It was a real reality check for me. My friends, they are only asking for support in return for their sacrifice. The simplest form would be cost of a stamp, envelope, and your time-a thank you letter- to basic needs for supplies to be fed, hydrated, groomed, clothed and maintained.
I ask you to consider them this Christmas. They could use care packages-so if you have any extras in your stockpile, this would be a great cause to use them! http://anysoldier.com/ has their website setup with everything you need to know, and questions already answered. Click on the where to send tab and it will take you to another page. Scroll over to the left and click on anyone of the names and you will immediately have access to that petitioning soldier, his platoon info, number of men and women in his/her unit,and a brief statement with their wants and needs. I really hope you can help! Thanks for your time and hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
AnySoldier.com
SACRIFICE defined-To trade (a value of higher worth) for one of lesser worth in order to gain something else valued more or to avoid an even greater loss; to sell without profit to gain something other than money.-

The greatest demonstration of love-Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 John3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

[janniwanni54]

Thanks for posting this. I've done this off and on for several years. Last year I rallied my fellow mail carriers to do a card writing campaign for Christmas. We addressed and sent over 800 cards along with a picture of us. I also donate to anysoldier through the Combined Federal Campaign at work. It's my charity of choice. So even when I can't afford to send boxes on my own, at least I'm contributing out of every check. Don't expect personal letters in return though. Some soldiers will write, but more often than not they are just too busy fighting and working. Most will post a thank you on the website. I have received an occasional card though, and we did get a thank you at the post office last year. Even so, it's a good cause and you'll get a warm fuzzy from doing it.

[Stef]

Is USPS priority mail APO/FPO flat rate boxes the best way to send? What else is required - what sorts of forms, etc.? There's so much info on that website, I don't want to miss something and have it returned and wasted postage!

[tooter bop]

Is USPS priority mail APO/FPO flat rate boxes the best way to send? What else is required - what sorts of forms, etc.? There's so much info on that website, I don't want to miss something and have it returned and wasted postage!

Any Soldier Inc. ... How to Send *****
this has all the info...depends on how much you want to send..when you select the soldier's profile, you will see their profile with their basic info and needs. At the top of the page it will say "request address", you do this on the day you plan to ship, just in case there has or hasnt been an address change. When you take your package to the post office they will know what to do from there, it will be the customs forms that they will have you fill out. Should you send to the contact person, and they are no longer at that location-for whatever unexpected reason-then it will be sent back. But after you have read the prior history and testimonials, I would say that they are getting them AND anticipating th support as well HTH

[janniwanni54]

Should you send to the contact person, and they are no longer at that location-for whatever unexpected reason-then it will be sent back.

There's a place on the bottom of the customs form that says, "treat as abandoned". If your contact is no longer there, if this box is checked, the box will be given to another soldier. This insures you won't get the box back and another soldier other than the contact person will get it.

[tooter bop]

thanks for posting this. I've done this off and on for several years. Last year i rallied my fellow mail carriers to do a card writing campaign for christmas. We addressed and sent over 800 cards along with a picture of us. I also donate to anysoldier through the combined federal campaign at work. It's my charity of choice. So even when i can't afford to send boxes on my own, at least i'm contributing out of every check. Don't expect personal letters in return though. Some soldiers will write, but more often than not they are just too busy fighting and working. Most will post a thank you on the website. I have received an occasional card though, and we did get a thank you at the post office last year. Even so, it's a good cause and you'll get a warm fuzzy from doing it.

you are awesome!!! And an inspiration!!! Thank you !!!

[tooter bop]

There's a place on the bottom of the customs form that says, "treat as abandoned". If your contact is no longer there, if this box is checked, the box will be given to another soldier. This insures you won't get the box back and another soldier other than the contact person will get it.

thanks again for your input ...this is the update that I found on their website, so things "may" have changed since the last time you sent a package OR "maybe" not. I would just hope someone would have a moment of grace and allow another soldier to be blessed with the package..it's a toss up, but so worth it!
"So you picked an address and the address is bad. It happens, for many reasons. So, what happens to the package? Well, that depends on several things. FIRST: Did you put forwarding instructions on the Customs Form? (see above). SECOND: Did the postal clerk somewhere along the line read the forwarding instructions? If there were no instructions, chances are (and that is NOT guaranteed)that the package will come back to you.
update:
Got this note on 1 March 2010 from HQDA MPSA (in real-people talk, that is HeadQuarters, Department of the Army, Military Postal Service Agency)(Now you know why they do acronyms...) "i noted a problem on your website that i wanted to point out.On the Customs Form 2976-A there was a notation to put "Any local Chaplain" or "Addressee's Commander" as a redirect address. The Customs form may not be accepted by the military as a redirect since valid change of address forms filled out by soldiers, sailors, and airmen take precedence over the Customs form. Legally the military postal folks must send those packages back to sender when they have a change of address card." Good to know. This explains why you might get a package back even though you properly filled out forwarding instructions."...per Any Soldier Inc. ... How to Send *****

[Stef]

Any Soldier Inc. ... How to Send *****
this has all the info...depends on how much you want to send..when you select the soldier's profile, you will see their profile with their basic info and needs. At the top of the page it will say "request address", you do this on the day you plan to ship, just in case there has or hasnt been an address change. When you take your package to the post office they will know what to do from there, it will be the customs forms that they will have you fill out. Should you send to the contact person, and they are no longer at that location-for whatever unexpected reason-then it will be sent back. But after you have read the prior history and testimonials, I would say that they are getting them AND anticipating th support as well HTH

Yes, I read all that. I suppose I was looking for some more detail, as in what forms are required and what other people find to be the best shipping method that will allow you to get the most for your postage.

[tooter bop]

Yes, I read all that. I suppose I was looking for some more detail, as in what forms are required and what other people find to be the best shipping method that will allow you to get the most for your postage.

ahh ok sorry...HTH..to answer question yes
the large flat rate box is $12.95 when addressed to APO/FPO address, it ships to new york...regularly 14.95 the best way to go if you are shipping multiple items that you can tightly pack in the box so that nothing moves around...dimensions are 12x12x5 1/2..the most common used
but the closer you live to NY then you have the option to use have regional boxes a&b boxes..not ideal for me since I am in texas...
https://www.prioritymail.com/regional_rates.asp

medium flat rate box is 10.95..no discount there..dimensions 11x8 1/2x5 1/2
small flate rate box is 5.00..no discount...5 3/8x8 5/8x1 5/8...great for packing books dvds,candy, drink packets, hygiene kit
remember to send food or hygiene separate in separate boxes.
and when you take this to the PO counter and they see the address they will hand you the customs form...