Christmas for the Troops 2011
Tuesday, 08 November 2011
Christmas is a special time for all Australians and provides most of us with a much needed opportunity to spend precious time with family and friends.
During the holiday season it is important to spare a thought for those who will not be with their families this Christmas, like the thousands of Australian troops serving overseas.To show support for the troops this Christmas Federal Member for Curtin Julie Bishop encourages local Curtin residents to send care packages, free of charge, through Australia Post.
“Christmas for the Troops provides an Aussie Christmas for our hard working deployed forces through the provision of care packages that contain donated items including DVDs, non perishable foods, magazines or toiletries,” Ms Bishop said.
“The free postal service for care packages by Australia Post helps boost morale for the deployed troops at a much needed time and I hope local Curtin residents will take the opportunity to support our defence forces this holiday season.”
When sending parcels local residents are encouraged to include a letter of support to the troops, with a stamped self addressed envelope, so the troops can send a letter back.
How to Donate
Care packages can be sent free of charge to the below addresses as long as they strictly comply with Australia Post guidelines. Packages can be sent to either male or female personnel and even to an Explosive Detection Dog.
In order to qualify for free postage, care packages can weigh no more than 2kg (cubed) and should be packaged within a “BM” size box, which is available from Australia Post for approximately $2. 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.
In order to ensure the packages reach the troops by Christmas, packages must be received by Australia Post no later than Friday, 9 December 2011.
Address Details
To send a care package to an ADF member in the Middle East (including Afghanistan), address the package to:
An Australian Defence Member
Goodwill Mail
AFPO 60
Middle East Operations
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890
To send a care package to an Australian Explosive Detection Dog in Afghanistan, address the package to:
An Australian EDD Handler
Goodwill Mail
AFPO 60
Middle East Operations
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890
*** Don’t forget to include a treat for the handler ***
To send a care package to an ADF member in East Timor, address the package to:
An Australian Defence Member
Goodwill Mail
AFPO 61
East Timor Operations
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890
To send a care package to an ADF member in the Solomon Islands, address the package to:
An Australian Defence Member
Goodwill Mail
AFPO 62
Solomon Islands Operations
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890
For further details about how to you can assist this Christmas please contact Ms Bishop’s office on 9388 0288.
