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Thursday, November 25, 2004
Local groups gather gifts for U.S. reserve troops
By AUDREY PARENTE | News-Journal Staff Writer
DAYTONA BEACH — Many men and women serving in the Army Reserves and National Guard are facing the holidays away from home, including 25 from this area who are in Iraq.
Janet Hardesty of the Family Readiness Group, which supports soldiers and their families, said her group is looking for help with sending holiday cheer to those serving overseas.
“We are collecting supplies that can be sent overseas that are acceptable,” Hardesty said. “But keep in mind, we can send nothing that melts, and be aware of weight. The Family Readiness Group has to pay for the weight, so a few dollars to help with shipping costs would be appreciated.”
She said any extra money not used for shipping would be used to buy overseas phone cards for the soldiers to call home.
While many Florida National Guard armories will not accept packages, Hardesty said the local Army Reserve Center, 405 S. Beach St., will collect specific items, including Frisbees, powdered soup and drinks, beef jerky and granola bars. Also acceptable, Hardesty said, are small packs of Kleenex, saline nasal spray, Lever 2000 body wipes, disposable razors, small containers of waterless hand sanitizer and boot insoles.
She listed stationery, paperback books, puzzles, magazines, Rice Krispie Treats, toothpaste, gum, hard candy and any non-perishable snack items.
The Department of Defense is asking the public not to send unsolicited mail or packages to service members overseas. During the holiday season the mail system becomes backed up; anyone who has a loved one overseas and wants to send them a package should mail it as soon as possible to ensure arrival before Dec. 25.
Postal officials said the deadline for overseas priority mail service is Dec. 15, or overseas express mail, Dec. 17.
Chief Warrant Officer Bobbi Hall, who serves as the state family readiness director for the Guard, said in a news release: “Every year we are amazed by the amount of support we receive from the citizens of Florida who want to help.”
He suggested individuals can make donations to either the Florida National Guard Foundation Web site: www.floridaguardfoundation.org or the Florida National Guard Relief Fund. Both nonprofit organizations support the Florida National Guard. The Department of Defense has listed other acceptable donation alternatives at: www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html.
Another simple, no-cost method of showing support is to provide a message on this Web site: www.floridaguard.net/news. Press the “Dear Florida Hero” button and send a message.
Hardesty said anyone may drop off notes of encouragement and pictures of local scenes to be packed with the items that will be shipped overseas.
Postal Deadlines
Here are mail deadlines for holiday shipping with the U.S. Postal Service:
DOMESTIC PRIORITY MAIL SERVICE — (average 2-3 days); starting at $3.85 through Dec. 21 (national), Dec. 22 (local).
DOMESTIC EXPRESS MAIL SERVICE — starting at $13.65 through Dec. 23 (national), Dec. 24 (local).
GLOBAL PRIORITY MAIL SERVICE — starting at $4 through Dec. 15.
GLOBAL EXPRESS MAIL SERVICE — starting at $15.50 through Dec. 17.
GLOBAL GUARANTEED SERVICE — starting at $24 through Dec. 20.
For more information, call (800) 275-8777.