Planet members and their kids serving in Iraq and Afghanistan need our support.

[BigRedChief]

I know of one member of Chiefs Planet getting ready to go to Afghaniastan. I know
another that has a son getting ready to deploy. Another that has a son already there. I propose that we raise money and ship some "goddies" over to the units where Chiefs Planet members or their kids are serving our country. To let them know they are not alone, that some of us back here in the USA appreciate their sacrifice and service.

I will personally pay all the shipping costs and coordinate the project.

I will pay all the paypal fees of the members who donate. If you donate $20 to buy goodies for the troops, $20 goes to the troops.

If you want to send a check, or some goodies yourself, donated items, PM me for a mailing address.

If you have a store that has items that would go in the care package and would sell those at cost and or donate, PM me.

100% of the money raised will go to purchase items for the troops. I will update this thread with the progress and post pictures of the "goodies" and items that will be shipped to the troops.

This is not a political thread or idea. The point is to support the Planet members or their kids on a personal level while they are voluntarily putting themselfs in harms way for us.

PM me for the paypal address. If you know of someone serving overseas, PM me and we will put them on the list to recieve a care package

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

A thank you card for the planet from the troops over in the sandbox.

Originally Posted by Jethopper

I just wanted to send a shout out to BigRedChief. Most of you don't know, but I am a grunt in the 82nd airborne and I am currently in Afghanistan. Yesterday, after a long week of field work, I came back to the FOB to recharge and what do I see? 2 care packages from BRC. Well me and my boys enjoyed the snacks and we thank you, bud. HOOAH

Hey BRC,

A few days after my wife checked with her brother's wife about this package, he was injured in an IED attack and sent home for medical treatment. Today we learned that his driver and the guy who took his place were both killed by an IED. It's a tough job these guys have (both in terms of personal risk and also in terms of dealing with the loss of close friends).

Thanks again for all the support you facilitate!

NAME EDITED

Originally Posted by Barney Stinson

That's awesome news. Thanks to the new and continuing supporters that keeps this going. As a solider on the receiving side; it means so much to have complete strangers contribute to these packages. Its a moral victory, makes you feel noticed, affirmation. In some of the worst times I've ever experienced, a small note or package surprising me made the difference between being depressed and feeling validated. Agree or not for the reasons we're there, coming together and supporting the troops with their boots on the ground is a profound statement, and it does not go un-noticed by the troops receiving the packages. Don't make fun of what I'm saying, never in my life has a simple gesture made me feel so good and happy to be an american. Keep donating if you feel inclined, it matters more than you know to the troops receiving it.

[BigRedChief]

okay, who should get the first package? I don't feel comfortable deciding this. I know that scott free, kcwolfman's son's will soon be there. Crazy Coffey will soon be there. The ones that I know are there now from the planet have had the families ask me to select someone else that is worthy. so.....who should get the first shipment?

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

okay, who should get the first package? I don't feel comfortable deciding this. I know that scott free, kcwolfman's son's will soon be there. Crazy Coffey will soon be there. The ones that I know are there now from the planet have had the families ask me to select someone else that is worthy. so.....who should get the first shipment?

Who has been there the longest? Seems like the most logical way to start to me.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Who has been there the longest? Seems like the most logical way to start to me.

Sounds like a good idea. It would be fair. An arbitary #.

I've had 3 Planeters tell me to choose some one else that was worthy. They are taking care of their families. But, this is not a dictatorship. There have been monetary contributions from Planeteers, we need to decide who gets the first? the next one, and so on. Make a list, whatever. I'm willing to organize it all, pay all the fees and postage, but I'm not willing to be the sole decider on what unit, what posters family recieves a package.

[joesomebody]

Looks like an awesome spread BRC. Great job. As to who receives the care packages, I feel they are all great men and women and equally deserving. Possibly try to send them to units/service members that are from the Chief's kingdom. Missouri is obviously my preference, but I suppose those Kansas boys and girls probably fight just as hard and are equally deserving. A jayhawk in a military uniform is an acceptable jayhawk in my book. I wish there was a way to get a feel for who needs the items the most, but obviously we have no way of knowing without people stepping forward and telling us.

Can we maybe ask some of our guys over there to find us some names of some young folks that need these goodies to cheer them up?

[Iowanian]

I think if you can't find a local unit, maybe try to find the planet connection in the most remote location.

Some young man on a FOB in Afganistan isn't going to have the access to luxuries that someone in a big base in Baghdad.

[JohninGpt]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

I think if you can't find a local unit, maybe try to find the planet connection in the most remote location.

Some young man on a FOB in Afganistan isn't going to have the access to luxuries that someone in a big base in Baghdad.

I don't know alot about Afganistan, but the guys at Ramadi, Hitt, Haditha, KV, and Husayba in Iraq don't get squat as far as a BX (Ramadi has a small one, but the selection sucks).

[BigRedChief]

Update:
We have collected $125 in cash contributions for the troops so far. What you see in those first two pictures cost $123.18 to purchase.

I'm going to use the "large" flat rate USPS mailing boxes to mail the goodies to the troops. They are the cheapest way to mail at about $11.00-$12.00 a box. Whatever it costs, that cost is on me. Not one penny of the money the Planet posters contribute will go towards shipping costs. So, give out your duffs and make a contrubution.

I've got 1 school and 2 youth church groups having the kids write letters to the troops. and a couple of more are checking to see if its possible.

Working on several places for discounts/giving the troops some stuff. But, nothing solid yet.

[Inspector]

Thanks again BRC. This is really a great thing.

No need to send anything to our kid. We have a large family and he is very well taken care of along these lines. Also, this time he is actually spending more time at a desk than in the dirt - although he does still have to go out on patrols, just not like he did in his past deployments in Iraq. We prefer any funds go to the other ChiefsPlanet family members or to anyone who has the need for whatever reason.

OK, I hate to admit this but I'm not really up with sending dough for something like this. I'm one of those guys who never uses any cards or anything - I always use cash. Last time I sent money in for ChiefsPlanet, I sent a personal check - but that was quite awhile back.

So, let me know how this works. Is paypal a credit card thing?

Thanks again and thanks for the paypal lesson.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Inspector

Thanks again BRC. This is really a great thing.

No need to send anything to our kid. We have a large family and he is very well taken care of along these lines. Also, this time he is actually spending more time at a desk than in the dirt - although he does still have to go out on patrols, just not like he did in his past deployments in Iraq. We prefer any funds go to the other ChiefsPlanet family members or to anyone who has the need for whatever reason.

OK, I hate to admit this but I'm not really up with sending dough for something like this. I'm one of those guys who never uses any cards or anything - I always use cash. Last time I sent money in for ChiefsPlanet, I sent a personal check - but that was quite awhile back.

So, let me know how this works. Is paypal a credit card thing?

Thanks again and thanks for the paypal lesson.

All the money recieved so far has been through Paypal. But, if you or anyone else wants to write a check or mail some cash to me, just pm me for a mailing address. If you are in the KC area, we can meet in person. I get around to all the KC metro area.

I'm keeping an Excel spreadsheet of who and what was contributed, what the money was spent on, and who recieved the packages. But, only I will know "real life" names on that list. Privacy will be respected.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Inspector

Thanks again BRC. This is really a great thing.

No need to send anything to our kid. We have a large family and he is very well taken care of along these lines. Also, this time he is actually spending more time at a desk than in the dirt - although he does still have to go out on patrols, just not like he did in his past deployments in Iraq. We prefer any funds go to the other ChiefsPlanet family members or to anyone who has the need for whatever reason.

OK, I hate to admit this but I'm not really up with sending dough for something like this. I'm one of those guys who never uses any cards or anything - I always use cash. Last time I sent money in for ChiefsPlanet, I sent a personal check - but that was quite awhile back.

So, let me know how this works. Is paypal a credit card thing?

Thanks again and thanks for the paypal lesson.

Yes, it's a credit card thing. You create an account with your email address and then you can use a credit card to send money to another account based on their email address.

[Inspector]

OK, good info, thanks guys.

I'm going to create the paypal account and then get BRC some more funds. It's on my weekly to-do list. (I live my life by lists..)

Good people here, no doubt!

[BigRedChief]

Comment from the people and their families we are trying to support. It does make a difference with people so far from home.....

appreciate the thread, thank you for doing this - letters/boxes from home are always a big hit. If I get anything I will be sure to share with everyone I can. I'll know more mid december. Right now in NJ, pretty locked down but still in US anyway

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You're doing a great thing BRC, a package from home makes a lot of things better when you are in one of those shitholes.

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[BigRedChief]

Still looking for worthy units to recive the packages. You don't want to suggest some units publically, PM me.

[crazycoffey]

A unit that has been in Iraq for 8-9 months now is the 810th MP co out of Florida.

I could probaby say Hi to them and provide feedback to the Planet in, oh let's say about 4-8 weeks....
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[crazycoffey]

Another thought (no I'm not too proud to mention it) many soliders, myself included, are buying their own equipment if/as they can. Lights, lazers for mounting on our M-4's, better mags (and a double mag clip for speedy re-loads), better holisters for 9's (we are getting issued the old widow makers with the flap over the 9), gloves, 550 cord, 100 mile an hour tape. A very select few are even buying a kevlar face mask from www.mmtechweaponsystems.com it's expensive so a truck of three soliders are trying buy extra mounts and sharing the mask for whoever goes in the turret that day. These would obviously take some extra. corrispondence with the donatee, for sizes and needs but is another option if anyone was so inclined.
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