St. Boniface Episcopal Church: Peace and Justice: Support our Troops

Saint Boniface Episcopal Church

5615 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242 (941) 349-5616

PEACE AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE

OUR MISSION STATEMENT: The Peace and Justice Committee attempts to fulfill our Baptismal Covenant..."strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being" by identifying local issues of serious concern and developing strategies for individuals and the parish to courageously address those issues. Think globally, act locally.


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SUPPORT OUR TROOPS The Saint Boniface Peace and Justice Committee thanks you for supporting our troops by filling and sending a care package to them. Below you’ll find a list of suggested items our troops have asked for, and information on how to address and send your package. Our men and women are far from home, family and friends, and the comfort of familiar surroundings and routines. Your packages make their days easier! What to Send and What not to Send How to Send It Other Guidelines Deployed Troops with Boniface Connections Letter in Response to Recent Care Package What to Send Food Items Candy -- individually wrapped items – like Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, Skittles, Sweet Tarts, Life Savers, gum, mints Snacks -- lunch box sized packages of trail mix, nuts, pretzels, chips, cookies, snack mix, fruit roll ups; Slim Jims, beef jerky; energy or breakfast bars Canned Meats -- tuna fish (preferably in the flexible pouches), microwave-ready soups and stews, Top Ramen, Cup-o-Noodles Drink Mixes -- hot chocolate, coffee supplies (filters, creamer, thermos, instant coffee, coffee singles), tea bags, single packages of powdered Propel, Gatorade, Crystal Light, etc. mix Personal Hygiene and Toiletries Hotel/Travel size gel deodorant, shampoo (hair conditioner only for boxes for female troops), toothpaste, mouth wash, tooth brushes, dental floss, Brush Ups, lotion disposable razors or Mach III Turbo blades, gel shaving cream eye drops, nose drops, unscented baby wipes/wet wipes, foot/body powder, anti-fungal cream, lip balm small Kleenex, Q-Tips, Band-Aids Miscellaneous AA and AAA batteries pens, pencils, paper/notebooks, blank greeting cards, stationary AT&T phone cards comic books, paperback books, puzzle books DVDs or CDs magazine – automotive, boat, sports disposable cameras gifts items that can be hand-distributed to local children: pens, pencils, crayons, small packs of hard candy, art supplies, small toys (these items should not have any nation-specific symbols on them!) ziploc bags – snack, pint, quart or gallon size (for making small care packages) Socks & Shoes, Etc. white tube socks and running socks (NOTE: socks, which use wicking technology so moisture is not absorbed are especially appreciated in the Summer heat and humidity) sandals shower shoes knit caps, foot & hand warmers, and gloves for the winter months What Not to Send home-made food items nything that melts during the summer months anything containing pork anything of a pornographic nature liquor sunscreen – they already have plenty of it waterless hand sanitizer – it turns dirty hands to mud! Personal Notes: Hand-written cards and letters of encouragement with your name and address. Keep our troops ins your prayers. "Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen." One soldier asked that, along with our prayers for the troops, we include prayers for the "most innocent victims of this conflict", the children, who "may never know what it is to be free of fear." to top of page How to Send It The USPS has a new flat rate box specifically for APO addresses. The box itself is free, and you can get it from the post office. The flat shipping rate, regardless of how much it weighs, is $11.95. You must deliver your care package to the post office. If you need help getting to the post office, contact Peace and Justice committee member, Will Simmons at 377-0052. A completed customs form must be attached to each box. You can get a form online at the US Postal Service website or at the post office. In filling it out, be sure to check three boxes: (1) gift, (2) air priority, (3) treat as abandoned. to top of page The military personnel listed below, who are deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, have the following Boniface connections: Matthew D. Smith, son of Matt and Diane Smith Felicia Welch, granddaughter of Cynthia Weston Matthew D. Smith TF 1-121 / Headquarters FOB Gardez APO AE 09354 Felicia Welch 506 AEG-PA Unit 70080 APO AE 09359 to top of page Other Guidelines Personal hygiene items should be kept separate from snack items. Hygiene items give off odors that can taint the taste of snack items. When packing shampoo, hand lotions, and other liquid types, put them inside tightly sealed plastic bags in case they leak. Kitchen garbage bags work great and even though they may be too big for the items going into a smaller package the excess plastic will act as cushioning. When sending snack item, use individually wrapped candy for packing material. It tastes much better than styro peanuts! Only send nationally recognized brand name products. NO cheapies, please! We are sending to the best that America has to offer, and we should send them nothing less! to top of page Letter in Response to Care Package I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines here at Joint Task Force Paladin appreciated the care package that you sent. It was stuffed with goods that are hard to come by here in Afghanistan and served to remind us all of not only the comforts of home, but of how much support we have from Patriots like you all. It is gestures like this and folks like you that make serving in this environment a lot easier and I thank you on behalf of all the Paladin service members for your generosity and concern. Take care and God bless you, Sean Kirschner to top of page Last Published: May 28, 2010 10:30 AM
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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact Chairperson David Evans
We meet the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m., October through May- you are always welcome to join us!
Read the May meeting minutes
Support our Troops Care Package info

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PEACE & JUSTICE LINKS

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5615 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242 | 941-349-5616

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