Showing you Oregon,one post at a time. Did you know that I post the links of many of my stories and articles on the sidebar? When you have extra time, please scroll down to see more. At the bottom of this page there are links to many other blogs that I enjoy.

Protected by Copyscape Duplicate Content Check

Hello, friends, thank you so much for stopping by. I really hope that you will enjoy your visit to Oregon Gifts. Due to spam, I am not accepting comments from anonymous people. Please email me at: oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy@hotmail.com if you are unable to leave a comment on here. I write back through email when I can.

My words and photographs are copyrighted, and may not be used without permission, even on Pinterest.

~ Kathy M.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Care Packages For Our Soldiers: What You Cannot Send to The Middle East

Source:  C. Matthews Photos


Several years ago, our nephew was stationed in Ethiopia on a peacekeeping/village support mission building schools and that sort of thing.  He wrote home to say that when he and those he worked with went outside, the little village kids swarmed around them asking for candy.  

After hearing this, his Grandma and I teamed up and prepared a couple of jammed packed boxes full of candy, stuffed animals and the like.  I made 30 of the little purses above, (hanging around that sweet child's neck) and filled each one with candy.  I had leftover Christmas felt, so that is what I used.  I also braided yarn for the strap.  As I sewed each purse, I prayed for the child who would receive it.  Apparently, they were a big hit.

That was a fun thing to do.  I'm sorry to say, that is the last care package that I have sent overseas, even though I do have people that I should be sending something too.  Now, another soldier friend of ours is going off to war.  I have learned of what you cannot send to somebody in a care package going over to Iraq or Afghanistan, and I thought you guys might like to read it too.   Some things on the list I would never consider sending anybody, but I guess the military has to spell out all the rules, just in case.  Here they are:

Prohibitions 



[] Musical letter or cards that play a sound when opened


[] Pork or pork by-products


[] Perishable infectious biological substances (what???)


[] Perishable non-infectious biological substances (again, what???)


[] Radioactive material


[] Fruits, animals, and living plants


[] All alcoholic beverages


[] Material used in the production of alcoholic beverages (distilled materials, hops, malts, yeast, etc.)


[] Coins, bank notes, currency, platinum, gold silver, precious stones, jewelry, and other valuable articles


[] Obscene articles, prints, paintings, cards, films, videotape, etc. and horric comics and matrices


[] Any matter depicting nude or semi-nude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or non-authorized political materials


[] Although religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith are prohibited in bulk quantities, items for the person use of the addressee are permissible.


[] Firearms of any type


[] Express Mail Military Services (EMMS not available)


So there you go; I hope this helps.  I'm just wondering for those of you who send care packages frequently ... what do you put into yours?


God bless, 


Kathy M.



At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.
 Protected by Copyscape Duplicate Content Check

3 comments:

Lynn said...

How sweet. Cute little purses. I've sent candy (to the soldier, so they could give it to whoever they wanted) along with the basics--tooth brush, toothpaste, wet wipes (apparently that is a biggee), etc.

Arkansas Patti said...

I haven't but think it is a grand idea. You really hit the mark with yours.
I have heard prepaid phone cards were useful.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Hi Lynn and Patti ... thanks so much for the ideas and for your comments!

Kathy

No Copying!


Protected by Copyscape Duplicate Content Check

I LOVE THE STATE OF OREGON.

I LOVE THE STATE OF OREGON.
Links to My Oregon Blog Posts (Except for Central Oregon):

"Oregon Bloggers"

"Sepia Saturday, Postcard and Stamp Blogs"

"Writing and Poetry Blogs":