Free military mail, Bringing holiday spirit beyond Canada

[Phi]

Chocolate, magazines, DVDs, gold bond foot powder, air fresheners, Joe Louis or Au Caramel, gum, socks, deodorant, chap stick, suduko puzzles, a big blow up Santa Claus?

Hmm now what about a blow up Mrs Santa in lieu of porn mags?

[Kate Shaw]

I am doing this tomorrow. (Sunday I am going to spend with friends booing Sebastian Bourdais for the last time as he runs his final Champ Car race. Au revoir, sitzpinkler!)

I will definitely pick up the Crystal Light individuals. What about sending that kind of thing to the Wounded Vets too?

[Roy Wilson]

bttt

[Dacre]

Roy Wilson wrote

God hunting sir. Get the big one.

Well that didn't happen Roy but thanks for the good wishes. There were some missed chances but the numbers were way down Not much activity. I think going from cash crops to hay and pature has sent the little Bambis to finer fare on neighbouring properties. My biggest pleasure was an addition to our safari for an afternoon hunt, stay over and morning hunt from a lad that's serving and headed back next week for his third tour in Afganistan. What a great kid. What an honour to welcome him to our hunting party. [/code]

[Roy Wilson]

Roy Wilson wrote

God hunting sir. Get the big one.

Well that didn't happen Roy but thanks for the good wishes. There were some missed chances but the numbers were way down Not much activity. I think going from cash crops to hay and pature has sent the little Bambis to finer fare on neighbouring properties. My biggest pleasure was an addition to our safari for an afternoon hunt, stay over and morning hunt from a lad that's serving and headed back next week for his third tour in Afganistan. What a great kid. What an honour to welcome him to our hunting party. [/code]

[justanothervoice]

I've heard foot powder and chapstick are like gold.
But I imagine if it was me over there, the letters would mean the most.

[Phi]

Bump!

[Roy Wilson]

Bump again

[Dacre]

Well I got an email from Operation Santa Claus today informing me that it is now shut down for this year. The program is finished until next season. Talk about making things as difficult as possible. I don't understand why there is so much opposition to supporting the troops. It must be a bunch of socialist bureaucrats putting up as many road blocks as possible. Something will work out eventually. A couple of years ago the Canadian Coalition for Democracy ran an Operation Rudolph. I don't know what happened to that. Does anyone know of any other organizations that have such a program going this year? So far the cards and letters seems to be the most simple and friendly thing. I'm not sure I'm entirely clear on just sending care packages to Any Soldier for example. Still open to ideas or information from anyone.

[Roy Wilson]

Well I got an email from Operation Santa Claus today informing me that it is now shut down for this year. The program is finished until next season. Talk about making things as difficult as possible. I don't understand why there is so much opposition to supporting the troops. It must be a bunch of socialist bureaucrats putting up as many road blocks as possible. Something will work out eventually. A couple of years ago the Canadian Coalition for Democracy ran an Operation Rudolph. I don't know what happened to that. Does anyone know of any other organizations that have such a program going this year? So far the cards and letters seems to be the most simple and friendly thing. I'm not sure I'm entirely clear on just sending care packages to Any Soldier for example. Still open to ideas or information from anyone.

Will research that tomorrow

[Dacre]

Thanks Roy.

[justanothervoice]

I've written a couple of letters to "any soldier"
It only take a short time out of your day.

[Roy Wilson]

Dacre Contact these people

Democracy, Afghanistan
Operation Rudolph:
Thanking Canadian Soldiers for Defending Democracy in Afghanistan
Ottawa, Ontario –
Wednesday, October 19, 2005

The Canadian Coalition for Democracies (CCD) today launched its national gift giving program, code named “Operation Rudolph.” The program will allow CCD to send holiday gifts and thank you notes from adults and students to Canadian Armed Forces personnel who are defending democracy in Afghanistan.

“CCD is working to raise contributions from Canadians to purchase a gift package for each of our soldiers serving in Afghanistan during Christmas,” said Tony Clement, Chair, CCD Advisory Board and National Campaign Spokesperson. “Included in the gift packages will be letters to our soldiers from Canadian students as well as some personal items suggested by soldiers.” The average cost of a gift package is expected to be $25.

Gifts packages and letters of support will be sent to each Canadian soldier in Afghanistan with the cooperation of the Department of National Defense during the second week in December and will arrive before Christmas.

“Initial support has been overwhelming. We cannot thank Canadians enough,” James Hunter, project co-chair added “Sending our troops a taste of home over the holidays will let each of them know that we support them and support what they’re doing in support of democracy.”

The CCD is working with teachers to encourage Canadian students to write what is expected to be thousands of letters in support of our soldiers. The Department of National Defense has agreed to transport the packages to Afghanistan.

“This project will connect Canadians from all walks of life with our soldiers who are putting their lives on the line,” added Naresh Raghubeer, Executive Director, CCD. “It is important for us to highlight the sacrifices our soldiers and their families are making and for us to say thank you.”>

“We urge Canadians to support this worthy initiative by making a contribution toward the purchase of gift packages for our soldiers,” added Clement. “No amount is too small.”

Tax-deductible donations can be made on line at CCD’s secured website (canadiancoalition.com/operationrudolph.shtm). Corporate or individual sponsorships are also welcome. Cheques can be mailed to “Operation Rudolph, c/o Canadian Coalition for Democracies,” PO Box 72602, 345 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3J0, Canada.

We extend our thanks to our initial supporters including the Department of National Defence, Canada Christian College, Walmart, Corus Entertainment and participating schools across Canada.

Founded in 2003, the Canadian Coalition for Democracies (CCD) is a non-partisan, multi-ethnic, multi-denominational organization of concerned Canadians dedicated to the protection and promotion of democracy at home and abroad.
For further information contact:

Tony Clement
Naresh Raghubeer

Advisory Board Chair, Executive Director,

Canadian Coalition for Democracies
Tel. (416) 617-5551
Tel. (416) 963-8998

[Dacre]

I'll try them again today Roy. I called yesterday and never got a live person. I gave to that in 2005 as well. I don't think they did it last year. I'll try to get someone to speak to today. Thanks. If they only did it the one year I wonder why.

[Dacre]

This is part of an email I received today from the CCD Thank you for your email and your past support of Operation Rudolph. The project was launched in 2005 when very few people knew our troops were in Afghanistan and the government of the day did little to support them.

Since then, the troop numbers have increased to 2500 and CCD felt that it would best to allow others with better left capacity to continue the program.

So that's what happened to Operation Rudolph. We need to do better. There has to be a way to skirt the anti support the troops attitude of our DND. Even if you go to the web site it is not that clear or simple to figure out what can be done. And then they just discourage it with the "lift capacity" line. I get the feeling that the CCD was told to drop it. There must be other means of delivery. With the proper support and effort I would think that we could get approval for something more. Any insiders have any helpful hints?