[zcaveman]

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS WITH THESE NEEDED ITEMS..................

TRAVEL SIZE, SHAMPOO, LOTIONS, MOUTHWASH TOOTHPASTE,
TOOTHBRUSHES, FLOSS, DEODORANT FOOT POWDER
BODYWASH, SMALL PKGS. OF KLEENEX

WRAPPED CANDY - TOOTSIE ROLLS, HARD CANDY, GUM, GRANOLA
BARS

PLAYING CARDS - NEW OR OLD, SMALL TRAVEL BOARD GAMES

BOOKS -SMALL READERS DIGEST (PAPERBACKS)
CROSSWORD PUZZLES, SODUKU

CANNED FRUIT - (SMALL) POP-UP LIDS

RAVIOLI - (SMALL) POP- UP LIDS

POWDERED DRINK MIXES - TEA, KOOL-AID (WRAPPED INDIVIDUAL)

OPERATION SHOEBOX DROP BOXES LOCATED AT ALL PUBLIX STORES IN THE VILLAGES.

FOR LARGE ITEM DONATIONS, (FURNITURE, APPLIANCES) CALL
JON FORTNEY AT 430-0297

THRIFT STORE INFORMATION CALL 352-307-6723

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT.

Please pass this on to all of your TV friends not on TOTV.

Z

[Mikitv]

This is a wonderful organization. Everyone needs to stop by and see how this works. It is amazing. If you decide to volunteer you will be welcomed.
For People who knit or crochet they need hats and will give you the pattern. They need sewers for the bags they use every week and Christmas stockings they are making. The need of anything never stops. This week we sent out one thousand bags stuffed with things for our troops.

[buggyone]

How are these "shoeboxes" distributed to the soldiers? I definitely can see them being appreciated in the areas where there are no PX's set up for the soldiers. However, in areas where a PX is available, a soldier is able to buy any of the items included in the shoebox at a fraction of what we buy it for at the drugstore or supermarket.

I got a mass emailing a couple of days ago on the salaries of elected officials vs teachers and soldiers. It said the "average" salary of the soldier in a combat related area is about $40,000 per year. I believe a good portion of that is tax-free and they are also able to put up to half of their salary in a savings account at 10% interest.

I really am interested in the process of how the "shoeboxes" are distributed.

[buggyone]

MGM4444,

Don't get angry at me. I was only asking a question of how the "shoeboxes" are distributed to the troops.

I also made the statement that soldiers are not grossly underpaid, have some good perks with their savings, and good perks at their PX's.

As for paying for my freedom, we have not had a war since WWII that affected our freedom. Not meant to be confrontational but just fact.

Nothing to get angry about.

[Pturner]

Z,
Thank you for posting this. I'll check the Publix near me to see if I can take some items there.

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by buggyone

How are these "shoeboxes" distributed to the soldiers? I definitely can see them being appreciated in the areas where there are no PX's set up for the soldiers. However, in areas where a PX is available, a soldier is able to buy any of the items included in the shoebox at a fraction of what we buy it for at the drugstore or supermarket.

I really am interested in the process of how the "shoeboxes" are distributed.

Thanks for your interest. This is the answer.

Operation Shoebox has to have specific addresses to send to.

The care packages cannot be shipped randomly to just anywhere. Usually – as I understand it – it is done by request of the troops and/or their family or friends.

People are welcome to stop by at Lake Miona Recreation Center after Noon time most Mondays to take a tour of the operation and to ask any questions.
The Thrift store in Belleview is a big boost to providing funds for postage (a major expense) and items to be sent overseas.

Much of what goes to the troops is from donations and fund-raising activities.

All containers – either ditty bags or Christmas stockings or Hanukkah bags –
are cut and sewn by volunteers.

Hope that helps answer your question.

I do know that those service men and women that receive them are very grateful for the stuff they get.

There are often articles in the Daily Sun where the service men and women have expressed their gratitude to the various people that send out these packages.

A lot of these service men and women are on the front lines or in a outpost where there is no PX to get to. All of these supplies are above and beyond what they can personally get.

It also makes them feel good to know that we think about them and support them in the sacrifices that they are making.

And to me, no amount of money that they make is worth the bullets, rpgs, and IEDs that they have to face on a daily basis - front lines or rear echelon area.

Just think of it as doing a good deed.

Z