Project INGOCare

[Scutter01]

Hello all!

I'm brokering care packages for our INGO brothers and sisters who are currently deployed overseas in the U.S. Military. This is similar to other projects like Operation Military Pride, supporting deployed military members worldwide and Veterans of Valor, but is specific to INGO.

Here is what I am doing:

I will accept donations of either money or goods, 100% of which will be used/sent to deployed INGO members or the units where they are assigned. In this way, we as a group can take care of our brothers and sisters.

The following criteria must be met:

• The sponsored soldier must be on current active duty deployment outside the United States and have an APO/FPO where they can receive care packages. (I'm really looking to sponsor the guys in the sand, who can't get to the local shopping plaza for supplies. You guys stationed in Dresden, Germany will just have to wait until the project is fully funded . Of course, I'll help whoever I can if they need it.).

• The sponsored soldier must be either an INGO member or a direct relative of an INGO member (father, son, daughter, etc.)

INGO members may nominate people by sending me a PM.

If you are deployed and you would like Project INGOCare to sponsor you, please PM me and let me know what you need.

I know the general types of things you want/need, but specific requests will be much easier to accommodate.

We'll have a shipment going out to cox7215 and his cohort Terry Moore (you guys DO share this stuff, right? RIGHT?!? ) in the next day or so and hope to follow up with many more.

I do not know if this will be a successful endeavor, but I'm going to try my best. As I get further into this project, I may need some help from anyone that might like to volunteer. Also, if there are any accountants on here that can tell me if the IRS will get pissy about me accepting donations (and if so, what I need to do to make them happy), I'd appreciate it.

We're currently supporting the following INGO soldiers stationed overseas:

Cox7215 (Afghanistan)
Indecision (Afghanistan)

 

[techres]

IRS? Pshaw.

Just send boxes with stuff in it. INGO members have just brought me goods to add to my boxes heading out. IRS does not need to get involved in nuthin.

One thing I would add is that we should coordinate some (via this thread) what we have sent to reduce duplication. If you want to see a really successful version of this, check out the Ranstaad's Militia over on AR15.com.

In any event, let's do this! And a sticky is perfect, and the effort is more than worth while.

I am happy to continue being the sender from the Bloomington area. And more the merrier on APO's.

If we could the APO's listed in the OP it would make things easier. Also, we need to add the routing address for letters to our member's injured friend.

I am very glad to see this getting sticky billing...

P.S. One way to control $ if people wish to donate is to setup a paypal account just for that use. People can then pay in and you can use their debit to pay out on items sent. This worked well for Nicholas Ranstaad as he sometimes needed specific gear sent to help him in the field.

 

[esrice]

Scut I will dig up some past issues of gun magazines. Someone mentioned this in another thread, and thought it was an excellent idea!

 

[Scutter01]

P.S. One way to control $ if people wish to donate is to setup a paypal account just for that use. People can then pay in and you can use their debit to pay out on items sent. This worked well for Nicholas Ranstaad as he sometimes needed specific gear sent to help him in the field.

I've already got the Paypal account worked out, at least in preliminary, I'm just not ready to start taking donations just yet.

Also, I really don't want to take away from you if you're already doing this, but I agree that coordinating to prevent overlap would be good. My intention is to act as the clearing house for donations and information so that INGO members will have a single point of contact. Ideally, if they don't want to send money, they could ask me what's needed and who to ship it to and do it themselves.

Like I said, I will have some shipments going out tomorrow. Going forward, I'm going to need lists of sponsored people as well as the things they need. Mostly, I'm going to need a way to pay for it, so donations will be important.

 

[JBrockman]

Is there a list of items that are most sought after that we can put together! I have some items left over down at the fire station that was donated for flood victims that was never used (had to much). I will be more then happy to donate what we have left over that can used for this.

 

[Scutter01]

Is there a list of items that are most sought after that we can put together! I have some items left over down at the fire station that was donated for flood victims that was never used (had to much). I will be more then happy to donate what we have left over that can used for this.

At the moment I've managed to generate exactly zero inquiries, so no, there's no list yet. If you can inventory what you have and send me the list, I can try to match it to requests if and when I get any.

 

[techres]

I usually send candy, reading materials, instant foods, drink mixes, and specialty foods like beef jerky, etc. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, basic medicinals are also good.

DO NOT SEND PORK OR PORN!

The field troops also appreciate handy wipes (baby wipes - unscented). If you send cleaning stuff (soap and detergent) go unscented for obvious tactical reasons. Zip lock bags are also a good deal. And feel free to cram the boxes full - i.e. unbox stuff that takes more space boxed than unboxed.

Our current Afghan guys say that candy is currency to them! So far no one has asked for smokes, but that is common.

Finally, cards. Cards are the lifeline to home. Send them. Get your kids to send them. Make sure they know that they are appreciated on the other side of the planet.

Scutter, you are up in Indy? I am down here in Btown. I was taking in donations from people in my area (the whole MSG thing) but would love it if you were the coordinating lead on this. If you made the contacts and we just let you know what and when we sent as posts to this thread that would work fine. Also, if you had specific requests then we could do our best to take those on.

By all means, take the lead. I think you can hereby be known as "Lead Procurement Scutter".

And one last thing. We should keep out an ear for any needs their families might need back here. Tread lightly so as not to insult any pride, but at the same time the ones that may need the most support might have never left our Hoosier back yard.

As they say, this is the Lord's work. So let's get to working.

 

[Scutter01]

I usually send candy, reading materials, instant foods, drink mixes, and specialty foods like beef jerky, etc. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, basic medicinals are also good.

DO NOT SEND PORK OR PORN!

The field troops also appreciate handy wipes (baby wipes - unscented). If you send cleaning stuff (soap and detergent) go unscented for obvious tactical reasons. Zip lock bags are also a good deal. And feel free to cram the boxes full - i.e. unbox stuff that takes more space boxed than unboxed.

Our current Afghan guys say that candy is currency to them! So far no one has asked for smokes, but that is common.

Finally, cards. Cards are the lifeline to home. Send them. Get your kids to send them. Make sure they know that they are appreciated on the other side of the planet.

Scutter, you are up in Indy? I am down here in Btown. I was taking in donations from people in my area (the whole MSG thing) but would love it if you were the coordinating lead on this. If you made the contacts and we just let you know what and when we sent as posts to this thread that would work fine. Also, if you had specific requests then we could do our best to take those on.

By all means, take the lead. I think you can hereby be known as "Lead Procurement Scutter".

And one last thing. We should keep out an ear for any needs their families might need back here. Tread lightly so as not to insult any pride, but at the same time the ones that may need the most support might have never left our Hoosier back yard.

As they say, this is the Lord's work. So let's get to working.

Yeah, I don't mind taking the lead up here. That was my intention anyway (didn't know you were working down there). My long term plan was to adopt the local families, too, but I needed to get off the ground with the guys and gals out in the field first.

Also, to add to your list, there may be other forbidden items depending on the place of deployment. For example, alcohol, horror comic books, etc. I'll try to have specific lists for people who want to send their own boxes, but they can always just donate money and I can handle the shopping.

 

[techres]

Closed out the tread:

INGO Fire Mission

And asked everyone to move activity to this thread.

 

[tyler34]

techres when are you sending another package? I have a bunch of stuff for you. and btw they LOVE baby wipes and they are only like $15 for a bulk box at wal-mart.

 

[JBrockman]

Scutter01 I inventoried most of what I have left there is more I just have to get to it in storage. Below is a list of what I have available in the box so far!
1. 16 tubes of tooth-paste
2. 60 small bars of soap
3. disposable razors (amount later)
4. 30 Ind. Packaged tooth brushes
5. 38 Ind pkgd. pocket combs
I also have numerous small personnal plastic bottles of shampoo, body soap and other ?.
There are more boxes I need to go through to count what I have but this is a basic list, I also have money from two organizations (Johnson County 4H Shooting Sports & Amity Fire & Rescue) to purchase items we need also. Due that both of these will be on accounts I need to buy (Items) and send them to you for transport!
Let me know for sure what all we need to send and I will work with you to get whatever we need for our brave young men and women.

 

[VN Vet]

Let me know when you can take PayPal donations. You can count on me to give to such a great project.

PMs to all who wants to donate may be better so we don't miss any messages.

Dale

 

[USMC_0311]

By all means, take the lead. I think you can hereby be known as "Lead Procurement Scutter".

I liked "search Czar"

Let me know when you take donations via Paypal.

 

[Scutter01]

I'm packing the first shipment right now and it'll go out tomorrow morning (I had a logistical issue to deal with). As soon as I can get in contact with the guys, I'll try to get a better idea of what they need specifically.

JBrockman, that's awesome. You're pretty close to Bloomington, I'll have techres contact you and you guys can work out a transfer for shipment. If you want to re-donate the donation money, I'll provide Paypal info in the next day or so.

 

[Scutter01]

Ok, we've shipped our first load of boxes! Woo hoo! I remembered how much I hate writing by hand, so I will be making every effort to start doing shipping labels and customs forms on the computer now. I'm sure the USPS will appreciate not having to decipher my chicken-scratches. Fortunately, I happen to have a label printer... I will also be trying to automate as much as I can. I never occurred to me how much work it is just to pack a freaking box!

I think I'm OK to take donations now as well. I have a paypal account set up to accept them. As I do not want to get bombarded with spam, I don't want to put the e-mail address where spambots can see it, so PM me and I'll give it to you. If you would like to donate but don't like paypal, please PM me and we can make other arrangements. If you have goods you would like me to ship for you, PM me and we'll work out the logistics. You can also ship them yourself, if you'd like, and I'll try to help as much as I can.

Please note that every single dime you donate will go towards getting stuff out to these guys. It will cover shipping costs (and paypal's fees, unfortunately) as well as the actual stuff going into the boxes. I'm going to try to keep an accounting of everything (not just the money, but who got shipped what and when) so if you want to see the who/what/and where, it will be available.

One last thing: I need a snappy name because I'm tired of referring to this project as "that thing where INGO sends stuff to guys in the military". Any suggestions?

 

[Clay]

Ive got a crap-load of magazines I could send to someone. Mostly car mags, and mostly Mopar at that Would be willing to make a donation as well.

 

[tyler34]

One last thing: I need a snappy name because I'm tired of referring to this project as "that thing where INGO sends stuff to guys in the military". Any suggestions?

operation INGO

 

[JBrockman]

Hey Scutter01, Both of the treasurers of these two groups have informed me that they have no problem with this donation but, they both have audits done regularly and need a receipt for "hard items' purchased. If you can give me an idea of what are the most important items I will be happy to pick them up and get them to you. I did make contact with techres and he will let me know when we can meet up!
May God Bless and Protect our men and women over there!

 

[Scutter01]

Hey Scutter01, Both of the treasurers of these two groups have informed me that they have no problem with this donation but, they both have audits done regularly and need a receipt for "hard items' purchased. If you can give me an idea of what are the most important items I will be happy to pick them up and get them to you. I did make contact with techres and he will let me know when we can meet up!
May God Bless and Protect our men and women over there!

So far, we're only supporting two INGO members and we haven't had any other donations yet. I know they want popcorn, however I just sent out a case to them and I don't know how fast they go through it. Since techres will likely be handling the shipping, check with him to see what he's sending out and what he needs help with.

Here's a list of some of the things that went out this morning to give you an idea:

Baby wipes, razors, mouthwash, toothpaste, deodorant, dental floss, eye drops.

Hot chocolate packets, playing cards, powdered drink mix singles (iced tea, kool aid, etc), coffee singles, Kraft Easy Mac, cookies, season salt, candy, and 14 pounds of microwave popcorn. Also included a couple of little surprises but since they both read the board (obviously), I can't disclose them.

I know they have a tough time getting a lot of staples that we take for granted (like mouthwash for example). No pork products (the bacon bits are there in spirit!), no porn, no horror comics (on Afghanistan's prohibited list for some reason), toiletries should be scent-free if possible (soap, shampoo, baby wipes, etc.) unless otherwise specified. I'll try to be more specific if and when I get some better information.

 

[VN Vet]

How about something simple: INGO Troop Support. I'm not good at things like this so it is only a suggestion.