Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Stuffing the stockings

IMAO reader WyoScotch recently brought to my attention a project going on in the Lexington, NC area. The full story hehind it is here, but here's a summary:

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit was recently deployed off the African coast for a longer-than-normal period of time. Because of the expense, there's no money in the unit's budget for some of the usual Christmas activities, so their families have started a project to ensure they get something at Christmastime. And, because of the logistics, they've got to make this happen by next Monday, the 14th.

It seems a worthwhile project to me, so I'm going to help. If you think it's something you want to help with, you can find more details on how to help on their Facebook page.

Here's more about it, with a "how-to" and suggestions:

First off if you can help and have a Facebook account go to the “Stuff the stockings” event here (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=153415618091082) and click on the I’m attending.  It would be neat for Rita to see the where the support is coming from.
 
Second, stuff a bunch of stockings.  They fit around 5 or 6 to the box you get for free from the post office.  You still have to pay for shipping though.
 
A Christmas stocking with basically all the same things in each so that they each receive about the same things. What we are looking to put in them is toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, candy canes, holiday candy, Christmas Socks, Small inexpensive travel games, (Rubik’s cube, IQ peg games, etc.), key chain flashlights, hot chocolate, Bag of microwave popcorn, Christmas Debbie cakes, crystal light or Gatorade individual packs.
 
We will need to ship our boxes to the ship no later than the 2nd week in November.
 
Here are some suggestions for items:
  • Large Christmas Stockings (large enough to hold items below, DollarTree has many)
  • Toothbrushes
  • Tooth paste
  • Razor
  • Candy Canes
  • Holiday Candy
  • Christmas Socks
  • Small inexpensive travel games
  • Key chain flashlights
  • Hot chocolate
  • Microwave popcorn
  • Christmas Little Debbie’s Cakes
  • Crystal Light/Gatorade individual drink mixes (or any other brand)
  • Magazine
  • Jack Links
  • Cigars
  • Book
Here’s the shipping instructions:
 
Every box must be shipped by the US Postal Service.  UPS and Fed Ex cannot ship to military addresses.
 
1. Stuff stockings they fit five to six to a box.

2. Enclose a card or note with your info in each stocking so that if they can, the guys will know who to write to and thank.

3. Stop by the post office and pick up (a) LARGE flat-rate boxes (figure 5-6 stockings per box).  They should be available for free and (b) custom form #2976 (you will need ONE PER BOX)
 
4. On the side of the box in big letters write SANTA
 
5. Please address the box to the Chaplain on the outside of the box:
 
  Chaplain Eastman
  2/2 H&S COMPANY S-1
  UNIT 73065
  FPO 09502-3065
 
6. Fill the custom form out BEFORE you get to the post office:
  a) Your name and address information goes on the top
  b) Chaplain's info goes next (do not worry about fitting it in the spaces provided - somehow our postal system made forms to be used to send to our military and did not bother to co-ordinate the boxes with what is contained in a military address - just make sure the writing is clear and that you press hard and that it is written in 4 lines just like below.
  c) Write ”Packaged Christmas stockings” for the contents of the box

7.    Post on the Facebook page how many stockings your family/friends/coworkers/complete strangers you asked sent.
If you are aware of another program that helps our military, or any other worthwhile cause, please leave information about it in the comments.

2 comments:

  1. The Facebook page for the event had to be taken down because of some security concerns raised by the Marines.

    If you need more information please contact Rite Treichler at 336 225-7499.

    Cpl. Robert Treichler is a young man I’ve known since he was 12, I find it pretty amazing he is one of my hero’s now.

    I am grateful to Basil for letting this be posted here.

    Thanks to all of you who help out.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for to everyone who helped out.

    The goal of having stocking for very member of the 22nd Marine expeditionary unit has been achieved!

    In a little under two weeks the mom's/wives/girlfriends of 22nd MEU put in quite an effort and got the job done with help from friends, family and folks who just wanted to do our troops a good turn.

    Thanks for all the help!

    ReplyDelete

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