How do we get soldiers overseas some kits to build to get their minds away from all they endure for a while?
Check with your local Legion or VFW hall and see if there is a group that does care packages for the guy and gals and go from there. If you have a local base, check with them as well for the same.
Model Maker 66,
There is a group called Helping Hospitalized Vets. They provide woodcraft, leathercraft, scrape foil art, yarn kits, and scale models to hospitalized Veterans. Right now I do not have their contact information, but I am sure that one should be able to find it online. Presumably even if they can’t help with sending kits to soldiers deployed overseas they should be able to point you in the right direction.
I think that the suggestion to also contact the Legion and the VFW as well as any military installation in your area is also a good idea. As well as your local Boy/Girl Scouts and any local model building club(s).
We did have a local group here that did care packages (toiletries, goodies, etc.) for the troops, no problem getting the stuff for them, just couldn’t get the $$ to send it anymore. They had to fold up shop.
If you go to a model show, there is almost always a box that you can put kits into to donate them to the troops overseas.
We do that with kits that we get with the raffle tickets, and Anne gets part of my show’s model budget to run around and find things that catch her eye to buy and put into the box.
Rex
Go to the IPMS website (http://www.ipmsusa.org) and they have a section for that charity.
Cowboy ;
I know this has been here for a while . I just had it brought to the fore by a recent visit to my local V.A. Hosp. recreation Dept .
Having taught a model building class for four years in Martinez , CA . I can tell you direct action through the American Legion or a group is better .
Why , Well , HHV is good and all BUT and here’s the big But ! I found out that they do not spend all their money for the best .They have shrinks telling them "Well this group doesn’t need reminders of their trauma , so no military kits ! "
Enter Birdhouses , Foil Art , Model cars and unrelated fuzzy art etc . This was very prevalent back in the 90s . It has changed . Now .
I have decided that I would help them solve the dilemna . When I go for my once a month kit , I take a whole carton of ships , planes , cars , etc . I won’t go into detail , suffice it to say I was told I would NEVER be removed from that program .
So feeling that I am least eligible , I try to make up the deficit to others by adding to their stash . You should’ve seen the moderators face when I started this . I thought he was going to cry !
Even the oldest vets there cheered ! So do what you can through the Legion or D.A.V. , but do it yourself too . You’ll walk out feeling like you did indeed make a difference ! Tanker - Builder
thanks
You do not know how much the guys would love to get something like that. I know for sure I would have like it, however, getting the tools or glues or anything else needed to put it together is another problem since alot of us are assigned to small outposts of less then 100 guys.
Each State has a county VA rep and he can help you get the info you need and I am pretty sure you can google it.
Arlin
We need to keep aware of how we can aid veterans whether active service or retired. Any other suggestions or stories of hope?[Y]
For those on active duty, contact any active base or reserve training base Morale Welfare Recreation (MWR) office. The stuff we got overseas came in thru there.
As far as stuff for veterans, most are on their own. A VA hospital would be the best point of contact. Im not aware of veteran organizations like VFW or American Legion doing anything of that sort. But then again, I’m not exactly active in my own Legion post.
Also check with the local VA office they may be able to direct you on how to send them out.
Help For Heroes in the UK on this side of th e pond.