Quilts & other ways to help our troops

[Melody]

I was impressed this morning with a story about "...members of The Ladies Auxiliary, Quilter’s Guild, Red Hat Society, and Happy Hookers, in Tumbler Ridge gathered together for a tea and luncheon. The groups who attended had sewn and knitted 36 quilts to send to Canadian Troops in Afghanistan." ~ Tumbler Ridge News

When I knit I usually knit for charity, so I thought I'd have a look around for what is out there for troop support. From what I can see, there are very few Canadian-specific sites out there. If you know of any, please post.

In the meantime, here are some US sites with patterns. We'll figure out where they go later.

Sewing, Knitting & Crochet Patterns for Troops (http://www.theshipsproject.com/Patterns.htm)
Helmet Liners / Neck Coolers (http://www.geocities.com/helmetliner/)
Rectangle 6x9 (http://www.rectangle6x9.org/)

I found the Canadian Angels (http://www.canadianangels.org/) along the way.

I'll dig up more Canadian info. Very inspiring group!

[Katalyst]

Thanks for posting this info Melody. I live on a military base so this hits close to home for me. Last year while my boyfriend was oversea's he actually called me to ask if I'd send some extra stuff over in his care packages. Apparently a lot of the guys he was serving with were getting nothing from home, not even letters. Which is really pretty sad since mail drops all come in at once so I can't imagine sitting there watching everyone fawn over their packages and having nothing to open not even a card. :no:

The quilts are a great idea as the beds, sheets, blankets, pillows they are issued aren't very comfy. Last year I vacuum sealed pillows, fleece blankets, egg crates, sheets and apparently they were a big hit. I'm not suggesting everyone run out and start shipping bedding but items shipped overseas if dropped off at one of their drop off centers is free. Apparently GOOD toilet paper is another favorite, as well as Canadian Steak Spice lol.

Last year I was in the States and had scoured all over looking for Canadian Support sites and didn't come up with one so I'm glad to know the Angels exsist.

[Melody]

I wasn't really sure what to do with it if I produced it....lol....so that's good to know.

Montreal steak spice? That's my absolute fave! I can put that stuff on ground beef and it tastes divine.

Now you've gone & done it - I can't get that 'no letters from home' thing out of my head....

[Katalyst]

I wasn't really sure what to do with it if I produced it....lol....so that's good to know.

Montreal steak spice? That's my absolute fave! I can put that stuff on ground beef and it tastes divine.

Now you've gone & done it - I can't get that 'no letters from home' thing out of my head....

I can get the addresses of the drop centers.

Maybe it was Montreal...It was funny I couldn't find it in the States so I had to have it shipped from Canada and then I had to reship it oversea's to him.

As far as the guys who don't get stuff the guys who are getting carepackages from home share with those who aren't getting anything. Usually who ever is in command will call/email the soldiers family (the one's who aren't getting anything) and tell them that so and so could sure use some letters, cards, packages, support from home.

[Melody]

I can't believe people have to be told that. Maybe they just don't know how or something.

Reminds me of that 'Letters From Home' (http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/montgomery-john-michael/letters-from-home-12834.html) song by John Michael Montgomery. Gives me misty eyes everytime I play it.

[jordonsmum]

As a spouse and family member of troops, I'd like to say an extra thanks and send a hug for this thread!!! I know what Shawn goes through when he's gone over seas, as well as family members and friends. You folks are amazing to think if these things and think of others the way that you do... :notworthy: Thanks again!!!!

Sad of me to ask because I've always sent packages through the ships mail service, but if I were to knit a few blankets... what size should they be and is there a drop off in Victoria or in the island that you know of... thanks!!!

[Melody]

From what I've been reading, they should be twin bed size. I don't know about drop-off points....

We'll have to see what Kat can come up with for us.

If I could find the time to design some patterns, I'd get a webpage up there for Canadian Crafters who want to help.

[jordonsmum]

I'm going to call the Military Family Resource Centre here in Vic and see what I can find out... I'll keep you posted.

[Katalyst]

I'll get them as soon as the boyfriend returns home tommorrow he's away on a course for a few days. Hence me going out and getting shrimp later today he he he. It'll be at least a week before he sees em then.

[Katalyst]

Still working on the drop off addys...Here's a guideline link.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Community/Messageboard/guidelines_e.asp

This list the direct addresses of where to send cards/supplies etc. and to what op they are going to.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Community/Messageboard/addresses_e.asp

Please note UPS would not deliver my packages even after they were accepted by a UPS store and I paid over $100 to ship them. It was only when I called and screamed bloody murder that this package was for a soldier full of birthday presents and called every single day for 3 weeks until it was delivered did it arrive. lol

[jordonsmum]

Still working on the drop off addys...Here's a guideline link.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Community/Messageboard/guidelines_e.asp

This list the direct addresses of where to send cards/supplies etc. and to what op they are going to.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Community/Messageboard/addresses_e.asp

Please note UPS would not deliver my packages even after they were accepted by a UPS store and I paid over $100 to ship them. It was only when I called and screamed bloody murder that this package was for a soldier full of birthday presents and called every single day for 3 weeks until it was delivered did it arrive. lol


:mad: :mad: :mad: :realmad: :realmad: :realmad: That just cheeses me off. I'm sorry you had a hard time. I spoke with one of the Deployment co ordinator's and she said they're very reluctant to send packages out there right now... How the heck are you supposed to put a smile on someone's face who's risking their lives when you can't even send them a care package!!!!???:mad: :mad: :mad:

[Melody]

A mention of some very bad unpatriotic press should handle those situations :DevilGrin:.

This kind of thing isn't a matter of supporting or not supporting the war either. I don't support it - I think its idiotic. Those people have been warring since biblical times (see Old Testament). They're raised to do it and everything in them tells them its right. The only way we could change that is to kidnap all of their children and raise them differently.

We, however, know better than to war. Killing each other and the side with the most people left standing wins? Its barbaric. The person responsible for the Twin Towers tragedy is dead. Its time to come home.

I do support the men & women there doing as they're told to do though, and I respect their efforts very much. That's what this is about for me.:yes:

[jordonsmum]

Many people do it to support their families. 12 years ago when Shawn joined the military, he did it to help us financially. We were about as poor as they come. Living in a ramshackle dump of an appartment and I was working full time and struggeling to finish highschool. He thought it was the best thing he could to to get us out of a rut quickly. Although he's always been patriotic, he did it to help us quickly. Once he was in, he went where he was told and did what he was told to do. Just like thousands of others. Many people join for the same reason, because they don't have a lot of options. I think that deserves a little more support from the socalled "support groups" on the home front. I'm calling the MFRC again tomorrow to speak with the deployment coordinator in charge.

[Katalyst]

:mad: :mad: :mad: :realmad: :realmad: :realmad: That just cheeses me off. I'm sorry you had a hard time. I spoke with one of the Deployment co ordinator's and she said they're very reluctant to send packages out there right now... How the heck are you supposed to put a smile on someone's face who's risking their lives when you can't even send them a care package!!!!???:mad: :mad: :mad:

I agree & thanks....Once I said so your going to refuse to send a package to a soldier for his birthday? Then I threatened to call all our local newspapers and News Stations and all of a sudden it wasn't a problem. Disgusting I say. Never the less all of my boyfriends packages were sent, he rec'd them well after his birthday over a month meanwhile I paid for express shipping but we won't go down that road. I'm still bitter lol.

[jordonsmum]

I agree & thanks....Once I said so your going to refuse to send a package to a soldier for his birthday? Then I threatened to call all our local newspapers and News Stations and all of a sudden it wasn't a problem. Disgusting I say. Never the less all of my boyfriends packages were sent, he rec'd them well after his birthday over a month meanwhile I paid for express shipping but we won't go down that road. I'm still bitter lol.

I tried to get a little farther with the MFRC today and was politely told to go pound sand and that nothing is being sent in bulk whether civilians like it or not. I was told I had to pay to send a package to a specific soldier, end of story....:mad:

[Melody]

They're getting the stuff there somehow, so there must be another route. We'll just have to keep digging. Right now is a very dangerous time, so I've been reading, so maybe they're restricting incoming for a reason. I don't want a soldier blown up while going to fetch my pretty blanket either.

[Melody]

I just sent a message off to Canadian Angels to see if they know of an alternative or a better route. If worst comes to worst, I'll start calling these groups that do it already.

I would like to at least get a page up with contacts for people anyway - I had no idea there was so little Canadian-specific representation on the Internet, and I'm sure there are many people who search for ways to support the Canadian troops. I'll just throw it up there on my existing Canadians Internet domain.

[Katalyst]

I tried to get a little farther with the MFRC today and was politely told to go pound sand and that nothing is being sent in bulk whether civilians like it or not. I was told I had to pay to send a package to a specific soldier, end of story....:mad:
The thing is I did pay to have it sent specifically and they weren't even sending it oversea's they were sending it to Belleville. This was exactly this time last year so perhaps things have changed and the package was going to Bosnia not even Iraq or Afghanistan. Half the time I think they tell people what they wanna hear.

[Melody]

You could very well be onto something with that theory, sadly enough.

[Melody]

Hey! I don't believe that a fine Legion member like myself didn't think of this:;): , but shouldn't the Legions know something? I'll try them. :yes:

[jordonsmum]

My thinking is that if we can get a free drop off at a military faculty. It goes directly from our hands to theirs and would be shipped with equipment and supplies. It never leaves canadian hands and reduces the risk . They can inspect it before it's loaded. Supplies are flown over every week from canada (odly enough I used to work for the Canadian Forces Postal Unit as an office admin clerk in Halifax. I learned a lot of ropes.) people are able to drop off free mail to the canadian ships and it's send in a mail bag with supplies directly to the ships.

[Melody]

Apparently things can be sent to the US & on to the German hospitals that our soldiers end up in. So that's a start - I'm getting more info on that.

[Melody]

Its the Legion Ladies Auxiliary that is doing a blanket project. The Legion also has other programs like the Troop Morale Fund. I am told that if you contact your local branch (http://www.legion.ca/asp/common/prov_e.html), they can tell you how you can help.

The Royal Canadian Legion (http://www.legion.ca/)

http://www.legion.ca/asp/gfx/featsite/DonationsTentCardthumb_e.jpg (http://www.legion.ca/asp/docs/news/Mar14_07_e.asp)

[Jonesy]

as an FYI, Tumbler Ridge is in BC not Alberta as previously mentioned at the start of this thread........

[Melody]

:laugh: Guess I was thinking of something else. Good thing it doesn't matter, thanks.

[Melody]

Just curious - does anyone do 'Red Friday'? Wear red in support of troops? Is it commonly done in the workplace now?

[Katalyst]

Just curious - does anyone do 'Red Friday'? Wear red in support of troops? Is it commonly done in the workplace now?
Yep and the army even supplied my red shirts. :) I forgot about getting the addresses and I'm sorry for that. I'll get ahold of them this week.

[Melody]

If you're into some Canadian 'Support Our Troops' gear, etc., Canex (http://www.cfpsa.com/en/CANEX/) is a good place for you. Car flags, shirts, ball caps, jewelry, keychains, stuffed animals, travel mugs, ribbons.... the whole nine yards, all proudly sporting Canadian flags, maple leaves, etc.

[Katalyst]

This is really helpful. When I was in the States and he was oversea's I could find nothing to specifically support Canadian troops and it drove me crazy.

Here is a link to the Belleville address...


http://www.army.gc.ca/1ppcli/family_support_mailinformation.htm

No matter where he's been I've always sent to Belleville but I am sure there are other Centers.

[KnaveTO]

I grew up going to the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Quite a few of my family are Legion members. My father was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves (NBC Section). So always been rather patriotic (ticks the Americans off when I am on the chat section at aquaticcentral.com... lol) Canada has never been much of a rah rah type nation when it comes to supporting our troops. We have always had pride in them though. I find it sad and disenheartening when I hear that a C.O. has to call home and remind family members to send cards and packages though. :(

I am proud of them and what they do. For you members on here that have family in the CAF... your spouse is serving in one of the most honourable callings a Canadian can have. If there is something or anything I can do to help please let me know.

[Melody]

The post office says it will provide free delivery of letters from family and friends to Canadian troops overseas, starting Oct. 26 and lasting until the beginning of 2009.

Canada Post says it will also provide free parcel service for family and friends of deployed Canadian troops for the coming holiday season, as it did last year.
However, letters and parcels must be processed at Canada Post retail outlets. Those dropped off in regular street boxes will not qualify. ~ 570 News

Full story here (http://www.570news.com/news/national/article.jsp?content=n083053A).