Keri?? Troop card snag maybe?

[Stampin Patriot]

Keri, I am wondering if you are running into any snags with our cards heading to the troops??

I was "this" close to having a card making event through our MWR in Portsmouth, NH, and just got word today that the publicity folks won't allow the event because it's not allowed due to the "any soldier" mail ban...

I am wondering if you have something "official" that you can send me that would show the base here that it's different and "sanctioned"

Any help you can offer asap would be most appreciated. I had 3 days of cardmaking planned - all for making holiday cards... and now I'm dead in the water...

Thanks so much!
Michelle

[savannahstamper]

Hi, it's probably because of this news release that just came out. I think she has been able to do it because (if I'm not mistaken) she's sending the boxes of cards to a specific person. All of the envelopes addressed to "any soldier" are in the box and not going through the mail system like that. HTH

Stacey

NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense

No. 1100-04
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov 02, 2004
Media Contact: (703)697-5131
Public/Industry Contact: (703)428-0711

DoD Stresses Troop Support Mail Policy

The Department of Defense announced today the continued suspension of
the ?Any Servicemember? mail program. Accordingly, the general
public is urged not to send unsolicited mail, care packages or
donations to service members during the holiday season.

During this time of the year, the number of donation programs
increases and causes mail from families and friends to be mixed with
mail from unknown sources resulting in delivery delays.

DoD continues to emphasize that names and addresses of military
service members must not be distributed by the media, Web sites,
companies, non-profit organizations, schools and individuals for the
purpose of collecting letters of support or donations for mailing to
service members.

Service members should receive mail only from those friends and family
members to whom they personally give their address.

Military addresses should not be passed around by family members for
use by donation programs. Unknown mailers could then obtain those
addresses and mail harmful items to service members.

For these reasons, DoD continues to indefinitely suspend general
donation programs from unknown mailers.

Americans, who don?t have loved ones deployed overseas, can still show
support during the holidays by other means.

A list of these programs is available at http:// www.defendamerica.mil


To guarantee mail arrives in time for end of year holidays, family
members are encouraged to view the mailing guidelines at http://
www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/2004/pb22138.pdf .

[Kymbers_Stampin]

Good to know. Is it okay to start sending holiday cards now? I have a ton of samples from last year I'd like to make into cards for the troops.

[Stampin Patriot]

bumpity... hehe

Keri - I'm hoping you can share some magic words that I can pass to my MWR here...

Thanks so much

:-D
Michelle

[Christine P]

I believe that Keri is sending them on a plane that leaves from her base to a specific unit from her base. Then the cards are distributed out over there. We've sent "generic" packages on planes from our base to my husband's squadron and had things distributed that way.

HTH,
C

[GGirl]

Thanks for sharing this information. I am getting ready to send a package with goodies and cards to a church member. I am going to send some in support to Any Soldier and also some general cards for use by anyone there for various occasions.

Mary

[Sereikastamper]

Hi there Sorry for totally missing this one.
Once the cards arrive here at my house, I being them to the base and the boxes of cards are brought "to the Sandbox" via the C-17. They do not go through the Military Mail system and are brought directly to the base for distribution. I am getting ready to send the next batch over the middle of nest week and I have not heard that I can't continue this. IF there is ever ANY change I will notify you all AS SOON AS I KNOW! Thanks for your interest!

[PHayes25]

I have a friend over in Iraq if anyone is short on names and addresses to send cards to. I don't want to step on toes but I am very new to SU and SCS and have not be able to get a group together.

Thanks!

[Kymbers_Stampin]

Thanks Keri!! Are you accepting Christmas cards yet?

[Sereikastamper]

I am sending the BLANK cards through the third week of November and written ones through the third week of December. If I get blank ones any later than that I will see if I can just write a note in each and then send them as written ones!

[Kymbers_Stampin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sereikastamper

I am sending the BLANK cards through the third week of November and written ones through the third week of December. If I get blank ones any later than that I will see if I can just write a note in each and then send them as written ones!

Translation, get my butt in gear and get to the PO with the blank samples transformed into real cards this week sometime.

I'm not a "holiday card" person, but I would love to make a bunch to send to the troops to thank them for being away from their loved one. Our military is voluntary and I am grateful to all that do the job they do. I think part of the contention I feel toward my brother is based on his dishonorable discharge from the Navy. Sorry, I digress!! Expect some packages from me Keri!! I'm placing an order this week for more sets to make various cards for everyone!!

[Sereikastamper]

Sounds Good!

[The Cat's Meow]

I may take up the suggestion to just make cards and give them to someone sending a package out to a specific soldier. When it gets to the soldier, they can share the cards with their troop if they would like, What do you think?

[Stampin Patriot]

Thanks so much Keri for the answer! And glad it's all still going on without a snag!

:-D
Michelle