I usually like to do something for a charity or group for Christmas. I am wary of charities who take cash only to spend your dollars on admin and other rather than make sure the maximum percentage of your donation goes to the person in need. I have been pretty arrogant when it comes to this, I poo-poo a lot of major charities. (I can be an a$$hole but I call it as I see it.)
This is not a charity but it is about making someone’s day while having fun and being creative at Christmas time.
It is super easy and you still have time to send a care package to an Aussie currently deployed in the Middle East. Regardless of any politics and opinion, these men and women are doing tough jobs, somewhere they don’t even have adequate access to TimTams. (IKR!)
With a $2.40 purchase of an Australia Post box you can fill it with goodies for someone in the army, navy or airforce and send it to them FREE as long as you keep it under 2KGs!
The response from troops so far…that I pinched from the Veterans 360 Australia Fb page (haa!)– Pack the box with: any lollies from home (natural confectionary company lollies, minties and similar bagged sweets) chocolate (even when it is melted!!), Tim tams and other iconic Aussie biscuits. Muesli bars Photos of Australia with blue tack so they can be attached to walls is also a nice surprise. Dried noodles are hard to use as we don’t always have access to boiling water, microwaves or bowls to eat it out of.
FINE PRINT: Care packages can be sent free of charge to the Middle East, so long as they strictly comply with Australia Post guidelines. Packages can be sent to either male or female personnel and must be posted by 8 DECEMBER 2017. In order to qualify for free postage, care packages can weigh no more than 2kg (cubic weight limit) and should be packaged within a “BX2” sized box, which are available from Australia Post for approximately two dollars. You will also be required to fill out some Customs forms and it is suggested that you use a liberal amount of packing tape to ensure that all of the contents arrive at their destination.
Address Details To send a care package to an Australian soldier, sailor, airman or airwoman in the Middle East.
Address the package to the following. (If you wish to send a specific package to a female, change the first line to ‘An Australian Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Airwoman – Female’)
An Australian Soldier
Christmas Mail
Middle East Operations
AFPO 60
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890
What can be included in Care Packages? Be creative with donations while being mindful of Australia Post’s guidelines for the free delivery of care packages. Some suggestions are listed below, as are the general restrictions.
What not to include • Pornographic material • Alcoholic beverages • Pork products
If you are unable to put together a box, you can also email your message of support instead to this email; supportthetroops@defence.gov.au If you need ANY more info on the Christmas support project,please visit defence here.
