Canada Post Will Continue Program of Free Delivery to Deployed Troops

I'd like to thank Canada Post and the Canadian Forces for conjunctively bringing families and friends closer to their families and friends closer through the holiday season through this service. I know there are many families through Canada who have shown deep appreciation for this service. All the best to you for a warm holiday.
To families and friends: a reminder - when sending a letter, to benefit from this free service, remember to take it to a postal office to mail rather than depositing it in a mailbox. The staff need to stamp the envelope. Some families who have deposited their cherished letters in the mailbox, have had them returned, which is unfortunate.
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Canada Post will continue program of free delivery to deployed troops

Oct. 26, 2009
OTTAWA (October 26, 2009)—Canada Post announced today it will again provide free delivery of letters and parcels from family and friends to Canadian troops deployed in Afghanistan and elsewhere overseas. This will be the fourth year that Canada Post has offered this service. Free parcel service for family and friends of deployed Canadian troops will be provided from October 26, 2009 to January 15, 2010.
Last year Canada Post forwarded more than 21,000 parcels to our Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan and elsewhere overseas, an increase of 60 per cent over the previous year. Family and friends of deployed troops will also be able to continue sending letters free throughout 2010. At the end of this period, Canada Post and the Department of National Defence will jointly evaluate the program.
"We are pleased to be able to show our continued support for our troops serving overseas and their families," said Moya Greene, president and chief executive officer of Canada Post.
“This program allows Canadians at home to extend their best wishes to loved ones far away in the service of Canada, often in dangerous places,” said the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport). “It is an excellent initiative and one I very much support.”
With capacity limitations on military aircraft carrying supplies and munitions to deployed forces, this offer is restricted to family and friends of the deployed service men and women serving overseas in war zones. That includes members of the Canadian Forces serving in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sinai and Jerusalem. Troops serving on any of the deployed Her Majesty's Canadian Ships are also included in the offer.
To ensure the proper customs declaration form and addressing information, the letters and parcels will need to be deposited at one of Canada Post's more than 6,600 full-service retail outlets across the country (letters and packages dropped in regular street letter boxes will not qualify). They will then be forwarded to Canadian Forces Bases in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Victoria, British Columbia and Belleville, Ontario. Once delivered to the military bases, the Department of National Defence will take charge of the letters and parcels and ensure their delivery overseas. All mail must be addressed to a specific soldier, including rank and mission information.

With Dusty Sands of the Afghan Desert

The other day, I dragged my feet through the door after a long day. I turned to check my mail and there it was buried between the ads and the bills - a Canada Post Parcel Pick up tag. Ignoring the other mail, I quickly picked it up, examining the tag for clues. No clues. Coming to intimately know the hours of the Postal Outlet I checked my watch - closed. I returned to my car and affixed the tag to my shifter knob - a keen reminder for the next day.

Feeling as though I again was a child in the early mornings of Christmas day, I just couldn't wait. My day at work finally finished and I swiftly jumped into my car and drove to the Post Office.

As soon as the staff saw me enter their outlet, they quickly became very bubbly and so excited!

Dave soon re-entered the counter area caring a brown paper wrapped parcel - just a beaming!

"It's for YOU this time... this time YOU are getting a parcel!" he exclaimed. I recognized the handwriting on the parcel... it was from my son!! Running my hand on it, I soon felt the dustiness of the Afghan sand. Together we looked it over - looking at the stamps - the HUGE $8 stamp on it - as well as the others. A heart and "Happy V-Day" was written on the one side.

The staff asked if I was going to rip it open in the car. I said, "Are you kidding? I need to take pictures of it first!" (if you know me, you'll know how me that statement is) As well, I noticed it also had my husband's name on it, so I knew I should wait.... some more. Promising the staff that I'd return to disclose to them what treasures were inside, I strode out to the car, beaming yet nervously caring the parcel. Was it the replies for the children's letters? hmm.

That evening, we sat on the sofa in the living room. I set up the camera for a picture when the dogs both jumped on the sofa with us - just as curious if not more. Carefully, trying not to tear the lettering, I proceeded in opening the parcel. First we opened the card - it was so beautiful.

Somehow I felt as though lots of love and a hug enveloped us as we read it. I then wept.

I love you too my son. We're so very proud of you. Happy V-Day to you too.

Love always, Mom

When I open my eyes,

I can clearly see

The colour of the Canadian sky looking back at me

Within a parcel dusted with Afghan sand

A Valentine card clutched tightly in my hands

I can feel a huge tear rolling down to my chin

I can only feel the pride from deep within

The words he wrote with such amazing grace

I wipe the tears falling from my face,

For the love from my son I received from away

Fills my heart full of love on Valentines Day.

~ Military Mom

Care Package Ideas

Care Packages... Parcels Sent With Love

I have had many people requesting ideas for care packages. Yes.. this list has been truly in the making. My son and his section has assisted in compiling this list. As well, I have added a few things that I've sent along with some ideas from fellow military families.
The main thing, enjoy creating and packing.
One of the first things I do is line the inside of the parcel with a garbage bag. It will protect the box in case of leakage from your parcel or someone else's. (Thanks for the tip P.C. )

o.k... here goes:

• Toothpaste (Colgate Total Whitening preferred)
• Foot Powder (Gold Bond Extra Strength)
• Shampoo
• Body wash (a masculine scent)
• Deodorant (NOT ANTIPERSPIRANT!) they need to perspire.
• Toothbrushes (cheap spin brushes)
• Toothbrush caps (to stop the toothbrush head from getting dirty)
• Qtips (for hygiene and cleaning guns)
• Insoles (A BIG deal. They come in a one size fits all- cuttable size)
• Stereo Earbuds (these are always in demand and keep getting destroyed)
• Pens! (Blue, Red - if they can't use them they will donate them to those who can!)
• Plastic (clear) rulers - short ones
• Dental flossers
• Carbiners - they hold gear in place and you can never have enough. Pref. Tan, green, black but they can paint them
• Under Armour Socks - The new cadillac in socks. Will keep moisture out.
• Anti fungal foot spray - Important- stops athletes foot and nails from turning yellow. Always spray in their boots before sleep.
• Baby wipes/ Wet Ones- Anti- bacterial - for all your showering needs
• Magazines - Auto Trend, Auto mags, Hockey mags, sports mags, or of their special interest
• PSP games - They are for the Playstation Portable - guys spend hours playing them during downtime
• Sudoku - everyone's doing it
• Crosswords
• Brainteasers
• flipflops for the shower
  
  Use a theme for your care packages.

Either follow seasonal themes or get creative with entertaining themes like “cocktail party”, “romance”, “motorcycles”, etc. With this rotation, I have created "Theme Packages" Examples below:

• "Tea for 8" - Different types of teas (eg. gun powder tea, cream pear, maple cream, chocolate tea), self sealing teabags, a metal teapot, tea buiscuits, honey, sugar cubes, serviettes and teaspoons. "lift those pinky fingers!"


• "Movies at the FOB" - I created admit tickets for the section, popcorn, popcorn containers, a couple of comedies, Junior Mints and M&M's


• "A Taste of Maple.. A Taste of Canada" - Maple syrup, maple candies, maple sugar, maple coffee, maple tea, maple cookies.. and a Maple Leaf that I had pressed from home.


• "Rub a Dub Dub - Time for a Scrub" - toothbrushes, toothpaste, deoderant, foot powder, wet ones, shampoo/body wash (a container that's for both), soaps, insoles, rubber duck


• Keepin' it Hot.. Keepin' it Warm (for the cold season)- hot chocolate (Tim Hortons), marshmallows, cappacino mix (Tim Hortons), Mitt warmers, pepper jelly, jalepeno spice mix, hot sauce, Maxim Magazines (a HUGE thing for a mom to reach up and buy)


• Munchies Madness - chips, nuts, homemade trailmix (peanuts, almonds, dried cranberries, raisins, m&m's), Smartfood (popcorn), hard candies, etc.


• Deck the FOB with boughs of holly (Christmas in a box) - small Christmas tree, solar Christmas lights, unbreakable balls, tinsel, etc
  
  Other things I've sent:
  
• Photo ornament (a big ornament that allows you to download up to 70 pictures for a slideshow) I uploaded pictures of family and friends and some pics that would make anyone smile. There is a keychain available on the market as well.


• Small Photo album - with each letter I send a couple of pictures of the weather, family, the dog, gas prices, etc. to which he puts into the album


• A soft, luxurious pillowcase that a friend helped me embroider. I hand embroidered the other one - a heart :) (perhaps a pillowcase from home - they like the smell of home)
• A self inflating mattress - for back at the base -a little reprieve from the ground.


• Include light reading suited to their tastes. I've sent a couple of books.
  
• Comics or jokes that he can share with others


• A copy of the local newspaper (he can keep up with the news and prices of things)


• A calendar


• solar light with a yellow ribbon tied onto it


• DVD - I have recorded a bundle of favourite tv comedy shows or shows they are missing


• Beef Jerkey


• Pepperoni Sticks


• Kraft Dinner (don't send the ketchup - it explodes)


• Pringles (don't send the small snack size - the cans pop open)


• non aerosole shaving gel (shaving cream)


• pencils and sharpeners


• waterproof jotbook (book with waterproof pages for writing notes on - available at CANEX)


• movie clips of friends and family


• Tim Hortons coupons for soldiers in KAF


• Candies and decorations colaborating with the holiday. eg. Hallowe'en - treats, rubber spiders, snakes, masks, plastic pumpkins, etc.


• Liquids should not be sent if it can be avoided, but if they must be sent, be sure to at least double bag them. Zip-lock type bags are great for this and can be re-used at the other end.


• Old bedsheets (that do not need to come home after the tour) can make sleep a little easier. Pack them with acouple of dryer sheets in between thelayers to give them a fresh scent.


• Children’s drawings are always well received and can be mailed in parcels or in letters


• Chapstick (lip balm)


• Gum (Trident White or Excel White)
• Cookies

Of course - with most of the items, he will share with the other soldiers and the rest he will leave behind for the incoming troops.

NOTE: If you're a soldier or a family member or friend.. If there's anything you would like to add.. please... let me know.. let US know. We all benefit from ideas.

Doesn't this picture tear your heart out?

Care Packages

CARE PACKAGES

Items to send, what NOT to send and "getting creative"

HEY! Do you have any ideas, item requests, suggestions, etc.?

If so, please list them in the comment section below.

I will add them to the post.

----------------------

Thank you Canada Post!

A HUGE "THANK YOU" goes out to Canada Post as they are offering free parcel service to familes and friends of deployed troops from Oct 26 - Jan 15, 2007 (remember to still label your address as before)

This will make sending our care packages a lot easier! Thank you Canada Post! You have aided in making many soldiers' Christmases a little brighter. Friends and Familes... Let's get sending!

A Copy of the Release from Canada Post as follows:

Newsroom

October 24, 2006
Canada Post offers free parcel service to families of deployed troops
Ottawa - Canada Post today announced it will provide free parcel service for family and friends of deployed Canadian troops for the holiday season. Effective October 26 through January 15, 2007 Canada Post will deliver parcels free of charge to designated Canadian Forces Bases, where they will be forwarded through the Canadian Forces postal system to our troops overseas.
"We are pleased the Department of National Defense accepted our offer to send regular parcels, free of charge, from anywhere in Canada to members of the Canadian Forces deployed overseas during the holiday season", said Moya Greene, president and Chief Executive Officer of Canada Post. "It is our way of recognizing and supporting our troops and their families during this special time of year when separation is often most keenly felt."
With capacity limitations on military aircraft carrying supplies to deployed forces, this offer is restricted to family and friends of the servicemen and women serving in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sinai and Jerusalem. Troops serving on any of the deployed Her Majesty's Canadian Ships are also included in the offer.
"We sincerely appreciate Canada Post's generosity in offering this free parcel service," said the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Rick Hillier. "The importance of helping our troops overseas remain connected with their loved ones in Canada cannot be understated, especially during this time of year."
To ensure the proper customs declaration form and addressing information, the parcels will need to be deposited at a Canada Post or dealer retail outlet (not a street letter box) where they will be forwarded to Canadian Forces Bases in Halifax, NS, Victoria, BC and Belleville, ON. Once delivered to the military bases, the Department of National Defence will take charge of the parcels and ensure their delivery overseas. Parcels must be addressed to a specific soldier, including rank and mission information.

A special note to Dave and his staff at Canada Post Office @ Guardian Drugstore :
You have truly been MY guardians through tour. Thank you for helping me to sort, lift, post, holding the door open and letting me throw one more kiss onto my many parcels to my son. Thank you for your smiles and your compassion. HUA!