Operation Overseas Mardi Gras 2009

Congrats and thanks to everyone who participated. Keep checking this site as we will share pictures from the 3 units that received the packages. We will do this again next year, but we would love you to stay involved all year round. For more information head on over to Soldiers’ Angels or contact greta@soldiersangels.org

Final count of packages
244th will get 371 packages = mission accomplished
225th will get 174 packages= mission accomplished
39th will get 166 packages = mission accomplished

Total packages = 711

SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE INFORMATION contact greta@soldiersangels.org to get the address to send out your personal box of Mardi Gras cheer today. All information about the box and what to put in it can be found in this post.

The new Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Boxes (12″ x 12″ x 5 ½” or nearly 800 cubic inches) are available without cost to customers in Post Offices nationwide and 24/7 at usps.com/supplies or by calling 800-610-8734.

****GROUPS/BUSINESSES who participated
2/6 Article in the St. Tammany News
boxes committed to be sent over
244th = 371 boxes
225 = 140 boxes
39th = 126 boxes

2/5 update total boxes committed to be sent over
244th 359 boxes for 350 soldiers=mission accomplished
225 89 boxes for 141 soldiers
39th 112 boxes for 120 soldiers

2/4 update total boxes committed to be sent over
244th 358
39th 71
225th 71

Houma Today Opinion

2/2 Update Total boxes committed to be sent over
244th = 350 boxes Mission Accomplished for this unit with 350 soldiers
225th = 42 boxes but there are 141 soldiers so they need more!
49th = 51 boxes but there are 120 soldiers so they need more!

2/1 Article in Houma Courier

1/31 Thanks the Rotary Club of New Orlean’s International Airport for packing 50 boxes to be sent over and allowing WWL TV to film the story. The story appeared on the 6 & 10 news.

1/29 The Advocate’s Smiley Anders included something written by Nikki Ganey about Operation Overseas Mardi Gras in his column.

1/29 WAFB 9 Baton Rouge filmed St. Jude Apostle School. You can view the video here. Channel 2, The Advocate and Catholic Commentary also came and a total of 48 boxes were shipped off.

1/27 Questions asked about King Cakes & food products.

A lot of people are fitting small plain King Cakes in the boxes. Filling cakes will not travel well. It takes 1-2 weeks to reach a destination, so make sure it is air tight. Other ideas for food include: local coffee & tea, pralines, moon pies, Hubig’s Pies& local spices. Pork products are not allowed in Iraq and liquid is not allowed in a USPS package. Please use store bought items for this mission.

1/25 Article published in the Times-Picayune by Sheila Stroup here.

1/24 Article in The Town Talk

Keep those packages coming. Note that the postage has been raised through the USPS this week from $10.95-$11.95. Scroll down for all the information about this project!

1/22 News article

Mark S. Parent, who deployed in 2005 with E Company, 111th Aviation Regiment of Alexandria, La., said his unit did not have the opportunity to receive donated Mardi Gras decorations while deployed, but he took it upon himself to carry on the Louisiana tradition by celebrating the Mardi Gras holiday while in Iraq.

“I can’t explain how much of a morale boost it was for the troops as we drove around Iraq during Mardi Gras in a Humvee decorated with beads and feathers,” said Parent, who is now 1/244th rear detachment commander. “We tossed Zapp’s potato chips to the crowd as we listened to a boom box playing Mardi Gras music.”

“That was the high point of our deployment, with the exception of when it was time to come home,” the Baton Rouge, La., resident added.

Parent stressed what a joy it will be for the Soldiers who are currently deployed with the 1/244th to receive support from friends and family through Mardi Gras care packages.

Update: The cost of the boxes has increased from $10.95 to $11.95
Update: As of 1/22 We have 145 packages committed to be sent over and $90 in donated funds to be used to sip additional items.
Update: as of 1/19 We have 133 packages committed to be sent over and $90 in donated funds to be used to ship additional items.
Update: as of 1/15 We have 120 packages committed to be sent over.
Update: as of 1/14 The unit has grown from 320-350 soldiers. At the moment, we have 70 boxes committed to be sent over. The goal would be for every hero to get a box and we would even love to help an another unit if we reach that goal.

For fliers click here

OK Louisianans and Mardi Gras enthusiasts everywhere – time tor spread the love! We have 320 350 Louisiana Guard Soldiers who have been in Iraq for a while and could use some Mardi Gras cheer. This effort was done in coordination with Soldiers’ Angels and the LA Family Readiness Support Assistant (Contractor) Anglia (Nikki) Ganey. The 244th Louisiana Guard unit out of Hammond will be the recipients. If we get a huge response, we have a second unit in the wings.

This post will remain on top (scroll down for new items) until the second week in February. Our official press releases can be found Here and here. To obtain the address to send your package, please contact gretaperry@gmail.com

1. Go to the Post Office and get:
***the 12×12 flat rate box that says America Support You. It is free.
It will cost $10.95 $11.95 to ship to an APO. Yes, you can use a larger box and calculate the expense and weight here.

*** Pick up Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note (2976-A)

2. Fill the box with Mardi Gras themed items (no pork products, liquids or obscenity): throws (not jumbled together), costumes, LA inspired food products, costumes, Mardi Gras decorations, cards made by kids

3. Place a nice note in the box with your return address on it (you may or may not receive a follow-up letter).

4. Write Soldiers’ Angels Operation Overseas Mardi Gras on the side of the box.

5. E-mail Greta gretaperry@gmail.com and you will be given the address to mail the items.

6. Head to the post office with your customs form filled out and box of Mardi Gras cheer. It will cost $10.95 $11.95 to mail and you must be present to mail it.

7. Check back on http://soldiersangelsla.org for pictures and follow/up information!

Thank you ahead of time for sharing Mardi Gras with our heroes!
operation-overseas-mardi-gras.mov

Tagged as: Iraq, louisiana, Mardi Gras, Post Office