Operation Christmas HAMB III Drop Off Points and Deadline

Deadline for dropping off items is 24 NOV 10

Needed Items

Items that the troops need or have requested:

-car magazines (No Good Guys Gazettes. They are too large for the boxes), please insure these are NO MORE THAN 3 YEARS OLD. Although we always appreciate magazines, we'd rather not have complete collections that have to be sorted through.
-T-Shirt's
-DVD's
-Shaving cream
-Tooth Brushes
-Tooth Paste
-Mouthwash in a plastic container
-Floss
-Chap Stick
-Deodorant/Antiperspirant (non-scented)
-Combs
-Powdered Drink Mix
-Disposable Razors
-Gum
-Eye drops
-Ear drops
-Bug Spray (OFF Deep Woods towelettes)
-Toilet paper (single rolls or travel size)
-Shampoo (unscented, or mark it as FEMALE)
-Feminine personal items, travel size or small box/package


Food, Snack items
-Tuna, Vienna sausages, sardines, etc (small cans)
-Dry powder drink mixes (small or individual)
-Jelly (small/no gl***)
-Any type small can goods
-Tea bags (all varieties), coffee packs/bags (individual)
-Fruit snacks (Roll-ups, raisins, dried fruits (small) etc.)
-Peanuts, trail mix, etc (small packs)
-And last but not least because there is NEVER enough:
-Slim Jims/Beef Jerky

Drop Off Points

In order to be a drop off point, I would make contact with your local VFW/American Legion/USO and verify that they are doing a shipment. If you are close to a military base, perhaps make contact with the bases Family Services department, and check to see if they will be doing a similar shipment. Once you have a contact, feel free to volunteer to be a drop off in your area.

Once you have done the above, please send me a PM with your information in the following format:

NAME OF SHOP
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE NUMBER
HOURS YOU'LL ACCEPT DROP OFFS


Donations of Money

If you'd like to donate money and are in Illinois, you can donate it in the form of a check made out to THE AMERICAN LEGION AUX." and write in the MEMO LINE: POSTAGE. Send it to the following address:

Operation Christmas HAMB III
C/o
The American Legion Aux.
310 W. ****erfield Rd.
Elmhurst IL, 60126

If not in Illinois, check with your local VFW/USO/American Legion, or if your comfortable giving the cash to the drop off point for the purchase of things off the list, please feel free to donate the money there.

Illinois

Hot Rod Ch***is & Cycle
59 Factory Rd.
Addison Il, 60101
630.458.0808

Available for drop off from 9am-5pm Mon-Sat, later if you call ahead.

Bombers Car Club
110s MacArthur Dr
North Pekin,IL
61554

and they can call me for local pickup
309-642-1902
Pennsylvania
Hoiler Auto repair
2600 Dorothy St
Hatboro Pa 19040

Leave packages under bench if no one is around or pm me for local pick up

 

Is there an issue if the magazines are more than 3 years old?

 

Well, last time we had magazines from the 70's. And, although cool, not something we thought appropriate to send to someone over there. We ended up selling them, and putting the cash toward shipping.

 

Thanks, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a USPS thing for the shipping.

 

I'm in, keep us posted Kev!

Want me to TRY to coordinate airlift?

 

do you need more point/places to drop items off at? I would be willing to help if needed

 

Voh, I could drop a few things off if there was a drop off in SA.

 

Thanks guys. Please review post #1 for instructions for becoming a drop off point, and then PM me.

 

That would be awesome Jesse.

For those that don't know him, Slepe67 works for Air Force Special Operations Command. And anyone that's ever worked for one of our services special operations units, you'll know that they are the LAST to ever see this kind of offering. Often in a forward operating areas, they just don't get mail and supplies like other units do. Mostly because of the secrecy of their missions and locations.

Each year, Jesse volunteers to organize an airlift on AFSOC aircraft, ensuring that the packages go DIRECTLY to operators in forward locations.

Thanks for stepping up again Jesse!

 

Ok, I could call Lackland AFB or Brooks Army but I'm a little confused what to ask for. A shipment for??? Special Operations Command holiday delivery?

-Thanks.

 

In order to be a drop off point, I would make contact with your local VFW/American Legion/USO and verify that they are doing a shipment. If you are close to a military base, perhaps make contact with the bases Family Services department, and check to see if they will be doing a similar shipment. Once you have a contact, feel free to volunteer to be a drop off in your area.

Also, Lackland is a Training Command base. Although they do have a Family Services office, they shouldn't have any units deployed overseas, so I doubt they do a shipment. I don't know how far away it is, but maybe Ft. Hood?

 

Ray, please PM me your info, I'd like to donate a few bucks for this cause. I've always admired it but never stepped up.

 

i should be in afganistan by the time you guys are ready to ship. i'd be glad to send an address and distribute the stuff to the guys. it's possible i'll be in the south with the marines and i'm sure they don't get alot of stuff like this! just pm me if interested

 

I'm in the process of getting the address for the American Legion Program that does the shipping. You can donate directly there and help out everyone!!

 

Do we have a spot in Texas?

 

also looking for a spot in texas....

 

i will also be in Afghanistan in country dec. i can also send an address back when i get there. I work in vehicle maintenance and they cant get enough magazines .

 

Have you got a drop off point in OHIO. ?

 

If you guys dont have a drop off point near you, ship the stuff to the guys on here that do.
A big flat rate box is $15, you can pack it full of stuff, maybe cheaper to do a bigger box if you are closer.

Its the least we can do.

 

Please note that I had to change the drop off date at the request of the local American Legion. They want to ship our stuff earlier this year. Why? Because last year we dropped off 300 boxes, and they want to make sure they all get shipped for the troops to get them in time for Christmas!!!! LOL

Also, there are now instructions for donating money in post #1.

 

Extra sungl***es would be good for the guys. a broken pair makes for a bad day and can be hard to replace.

 

Any USO or MWR (Morale,Welfare and Recreation) Center could help with the shipping and dispur*****t of packages.

 

I'll still be in Kabul through Feb. so if you have extra's that need dispersed let me know.

 

Thanks for the kind words Kevin.

It's true: We don't get a lot of stuff, unless it is sent directly to us from home area/station. It's not a big deal, most of us have spent more than a few Christmases over yonder, and pretty much view it as another day. As sad as that sounds, I've conducted ops on XMAS eve & New Years. Kind of depressing, but well worth the investment, so that my kids don't have to.

If anyone wants to ship anything to "my" guys, PM me. Or, if you just want a drop-off point in northwest Florida, shoot me an email or PM. I don't get on here as much as I would like to, so email might be the best bet.

We appreciate the HAMBs XMAS drives from the past! They are MORE than awesome!

 

Status!

 

We've only taken in a few bags of gifts. A ton less than last year at this time. I'm sure the economy isn't helping. Hopefully things pick up and we're able to treat the troops to a nice Christmas.

 

I will be by the shop to drop some items off next week. I work in Addison, just a few blocks from your shop.

btw, do you guys still do the friday night open shop adult beverage nights? If so I'd like to stop by some time.

Ed

 

Yep, sure do. Third Friday of the month. This month is the 19th! Our visiting celebrity will be ScooterMcRad!!

 

OK if I ship you a care package of stickers? if nothing else, just to decorate tool boxes...

 

ANYTHING will help out! Not to step on Kevin's project, but we use anything and everything that is sent. When a Christmas package comes into a unit marked "ALL", the troops tear into it like rabid dogs! It's acutally funny. A dust cloud of activity, then the only thing left is a small piece of candy, spinning on the floor of the cardboard box....it's goes that quickly. The motto: You missed out? Well, you shoulda been there!

NOTE: No ****, or anything like that..dont send anything that you wouldnt want your grandma to see

Kev spelled it all out earlier, but I'm just foot stomping...