Support our troops this Christmas

[MothersMilk]

Christmas is coming up and it makes me think of all our troops who are away from home and also those who don't have family. I think about those who won't receive care packages this holiday season like those who do have family :(
However you can help by sending a card or some words of support or even a care package to these man and woman who serve our country.

Details here (http://defence.gov.au/christmas/mail/index.htm):goodvibes:

Spread some Christmas cheer - as a defence wife i can tell it is much appreciated (and not everyone serving has people supporting them back home - a simple card can really make their day) :xmas:

[elleandsam]

Can I say that this is appreciated all year round, not just at Christmas time. There are many Australian soldiers who don't have family back home and really appreciate a package or a letter from anyone at any time of the year.

And don't forget our Aussie Army Dogs and their handlers ;) A local school had every class do up a package a few months ago and one sent over a package to an Australian Dog Handler and his dog and included some magazines for the handler, some dog biscuits and a new doggy toy. Went down a treat.

Just don't send lollies or chocolate as they melt.

This is a great cause :thumbsup:

[MothersMilk]

I totally agree - just putting it up as a Christmas thing as it nearly Christmas but it is something i encourage people to do any time of year :D
Last deployment a class of school kids sent a bunch of cards over and DH still has his - it is very cute.

Lollies are fine and DH says they are a huge hit - just nothing chocolate or meltable.
No nudie mags or mags like FHM or similar etc, no alcohol, anything perishable.
ETA - Don't send anything things wrapped in religious type wrapping paper etc. Remember there are cultural sensitives that need to be respected (this is also why mags with woman in hardly any clothes, alcohol is a no go)

[elleandsam]

Dad got a 'snake' last deployment which was a whole bag of snakes melted into one! Which is why we don't send gummy lollies anymore :laughing:

The guys love receiving letters, so Christmas cards are a great idea. But no nudie magazines, although puzzle books are a big hit. Think cross word magazines ;)

[Ready To Run]

My brother was in East Timor and we sent him over lollies and some other non perishable items. All of them gave out the lollies to the kids and what we sent meant alot to him. its a great thing to lift spirits.

[kermat]

What a wonderful idea - thank you for posting the link, its not something I probably would have thought of given that I don't have any friends or family in the defence forces, but this is something I'd definitely like to do this Christmas!!

:santa::xmastree::australia-flag-06:

[fullofbeans]

What a great idea! I have sent the link onto my sister who is a primary teacher and they are going to make them Christmas cards to send over. :xmastree:

[MothersMilk]

Thanks Ashlea, that is awesome. :highfive:

Thank you to everyone who has supported this cause :goodvibes:

[RaryGirl]

Thank you for the link ... I think it's a fantastic idea! Had to share on FB so others will hopefully help out too.

[elleandsam]

Just a quick thought, please don't forget that there are women serving over in these places and some are spending Christmas away from their children. Last Christmas a good friend of mine spent the holidays away from her two boys and it was devastating for her, she received a package anonymously (to an Australian Airwoman ;)) that had a book (I think it was Eat Pray Love or something similar), a few magazines, some lollies and a letter in it. The letter thanked her for her sacrifices and told her to keep up the good work.

[LupinCandy]

I don't have anyone I know in the defence force, however I would like to send a parcel over to someone who doesn't have any family to send support to them. I clicked the link in the first post, however it doesn't tell me where to send a package to. Have I missed it somewhere (quite possible!)?

[RainbowSky]

I've just seen this thread too and I also would love an address to send a care package too. :)