Supporting the troops...Join in a special card making event

Looking at the US card for heros site makes you want to hang your head in shame(the powers that be I MEAN YOU)
You think,"There must be a similar organised stupport system for our troops" but its left to individuals to struggle to do what they can. Why our our people of less value? Do "They" think the people back home don't have as much compassion and desire to support thoese fighting.
Don't get me wrong I have been against this war, any war from the word go, but that does not mean I don't care about thoese having to do their duty.It makes me very angry, we are still the poor cousins to the U.S.
Does anyone know of a central forces organisation similar to the U.S. one we could contact?

Researching Judith's info I came accross this site.. and I am goiing to contact them to see if we can add our cards to their holiday packages? If not..I'm going to contact an RAF commander or the Army one close by and see what they say. www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk
or we have the radio station as well. First I want to see if we can get CC to be a collection site.

Listen, this might come across odd now...but some of your posts are leaving me feeling a bit in left field. England is by far not the US's poor cousins. My husband works alongside the MOD...but we are American and both of us were in the AF. Although not now. We have always lived close to bases and so I've taught and lived with military families. Moving here, I am studying my MA and was researching the effects of deployment on both the US and UK service families. Deep similarities in talking to the spouses with children. There are some amazing programs offered in England by your own government for service families that we are far from offering. In fact, I was so impressed with the efforts of your own military leaders to lead the efforts to get more programs and funding for service personnel and their families - especially for state schools. I think in the US there are more non-profit agencies that do work. That website for the US cards is not a government website.. but a private one.

I found some really neat sites that are seemingly ran by families of UK service personnel. So they are out there. As for me, I have a special place in my heart for children and families of service personnel and feel the sacrifices transcend a nationality. Being a guest in this country and feeling so touched by the children I've taught and the families I've met, the men who work with my husband... I really wanted to celebrate those that serve this country and their families.

I think the energy and the interest you all have shown will make this a special card making program for those at the receiving end..
and quite honestly...

I don't think I've ever seen a country with such cool cardmakers! ideas! and innovative ideas..I mean peel-offs! I LOVE them..and you can't even find them where I'm from!! England might be smaller..lol but remember what they say.. It's not the size that matters!

I emailed CC to see if they can be the collection spots and will get back to you all.

We have 5 on the board that are committed..lol and I have about 4 who live around me.


BIG HUGS
Terri

watched the video Terri. great to see what affect doing something so simple can have. This could turn into something huge if CC became involved.

Terri I am delighted you have discovered the support you discribe and what a fansinating MA subject. However Jo?Joanna public here are not aware of them, we see reports of deaths canused by lack of correct equipment, pitances paid to injured soldiers, forces personal shamed out of their uniform. My friends son came home angry that they had had to borrow equipment from the US forces or buy specialist equipment themselves. I don't know how others feel, but its almost as though our Gov does not want our forces to be high profile(out of sight, out of mind) and your Gov is proud to be seen supporting their troups.The cards for heros is a brilliant, proud, well organised organisation and it would be brilliant if we had something similar, not just regional pockets of almost WI activity........oh I wonder if tthey would be interested? the WI has branches all over the country and quite a lot of clout.
I would love to see the sites you discribe, could you post the addy of a few please?
Sorry I disconcerted you but it is a view unfortunatly shared by many of the UK( non-forces maybe) public
larrie

Larrie,
No worries. I just thought I'd let you know I was. I do agree with everything you just said - as far as supplies. But we'll have to get together and talk someday about our concerns about service families on both sides. "Support the troops" seems to have petitions going that seem to work towards getting issues resolved.

Terri

Lets not get down hearted. Yes the us do it on a grand scale but they do every thing on a grand scale.
Yes our service men dont get all they need to keep them as safe as possible and do the job as it should be, But they do a fantastic job and they do it well.
Yes too many lives have been lost. We have lost many friends one being Ben Hyde one of the 6 RMP left to fight a losing battle alone.
So we must do what we can to make a difference. It takes people to stand up and do things to make a difference and the more people Terri can get to join in will really help. Its a great idea Terri, you can make a difference.

I have e-mailed the WI to see if they would be interested in getting behind the scheme, if they are.........
they are a power to be reckoned with
I used to be a member and many of them are crafters and I think either on a national or local level they would be pleased top help.

What a great idea!!! We have the WI and another organization one of the ladies at CC belongs too!!

Terri

no reply from central WI yet,so it might be down to local branches, I;ll keep at 'em

Count me in!!!

Hello,

I'd love to help. What sort of cards do you want and where do I send them.

Alison

I went into craft central at Bicester and Dan was there He said CC would be happy to assist but I need to talk with the Bicester girls and Ian to see if it would work in a way where all the stores would know what is going on in advance to lessen confusion

So this Saturday I'll top by and talk to them.

Should we make cares for the service members or for the service members to send to their families? I'm up for both?
Terri

Hi Everyone who is interested in making cards for the troops abroad.
I think that it is a good idea to make cards for them to send home themselves, even they dont forget just because they are away from home and just think how much happiness we could spread around if they were able to send things such as to my wife on the birth of our child.
I work at Daisy Nook so I will have a word with the girls and see if they too are willing to take part.
Keep us posted on the forum.
Regards Janet

I have only just picked up on this thread and am more than happy to join in this. I love making cards but don't have nearly enough recipients for it.

I think we are all guilty of buying beautiful embellishments etc and then saying our card recipients don't deserve them and put them back in the drawer, but mums, wives, husbands, children, family and friends of these brave service personnel are very deserving in my book, so now some of my best bits WILL be used and not just taken out to admire.

I've been a bit under motivated , card-wise, of late and this has just made me want to get on and make cards.

Thank you for passing on the information.

I have been sending cards to John Govier for some months now.I sent 2 packs yesterday and have 1 pack of Xmas cards to send again in a few days.My OH was in the forces for 25 years and I have had 2 brothers in the forces too.I know how much they all appreciate receiving cards etc.This is a very worthwhile cause