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Started By
Message
Do soldiers in Iraq, etc. really need random fundraisers for sunscreen?
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:14 pm
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:14 pm
I came across some care package fundraiser ad where you can donate up to $600, which supplies Mary Kay brand sunscreen to 48 soldiers.
This seems like a great way to support our troops on the surface, but is it needed? Are there other areas/organizations that can use our resources in more impactful ways?
I'm hoping current/retired soldiers can give some feedback, but here's my two cents:
1.) Yes, it's hot there. But our soldiers are almost never exposed to the weather when they're not fully covered by their gear. Only needed areas would be for hands, face, neck, etc. Which brings me to my next point:
2.) Doesn't the military already provide this to soldiers?? I'd imagine it's something they take seriously.
Anyways, it just seemed like an odd thing to raise money for.
What do you think?
This seems like a great way to support our troops on the surface, but is it needed? Are there other areas/organizations that can use our resources in more impactful ways?
I'm hoping current/retired soldiers can give some feedback, but here's my two cents:
1.) Yes, it's hot there. But our soldiers are almost never exposed to the weather when they're not fully covered by their gear. Only needed areas would be for hands, face, neck, etc. Which brings me to my next point:
2.) Doesn't the military already provide this to soldiers?? I'd imagine it's something they take seriously.
Anyways, it just seemed like an odd thing to raise money for.
What do you think?
9
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:16 pm to Sev09
Don't necessarily need it, but donations are certainly welcome.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:17 pm to Sev09
Don't know how it is now but when I was over there for Desert Storm there was no shortage of sunscreen. Maybe things have changed in the past 20 or so years.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:19 pm to Sev09
Look at a couple of things:
1. Who is running the fundraiser? A MaryKay salesperson? That would be all I would need to know.
2. If it is a legit non-profit running the fundraiser. Look them up online and check out their percentage of income that actually goes to the cause. You will find that many non-profit "charities" actually send about 10% to the cause. The other 90% going to "administration" and "fundraising". Translating to their salaries and parties.
As far as deployed personnel. Yes, they get the basics that they need. But who wouldn't want some quality sunscreen/toilet paper/snacks versus the Low Bid items the military provides?
1. Who is running the fundraiser? A MaryKay salesperson? That would be all I would need to know.
2. If it is a legit non-profit running the fundraiser. Look them up online and check out their percentage of income that actually goes to the cause. You will find that many non-profit "charities" actually send about 10% to the cause. The other 90% going to "administration" and "fundraising". Translating to their salaries and parties.
As far as deployed personnel. Yes, they get the basics that they need. But who wouldn't want some quality sunscreen/toilet paper/snacks versus the Low Bid items the military provides?
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:19 pm to jbgleason
quote:
Who is running the fundraiser? A MaryKay salesperson? That would be all I would need to know.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:19 pm to Sev09
I hope we're not sending sunscreen to soldiers in Iraq. Haven't they all been pulled out?
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:20 pm to Sev09
I thought Obama puled out all the troops In Iraq? Sounds like just another scam.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:20 pm to Darth_Vader
Yea sunscreen is easy as pie to come across over in teh sandbox. Plenty of other ammenities that would be better suited to send over like, soft toilet paper haha. Not the gritty arse sandpaper crap.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:22 pm to Darth_Vader
quote:
Don't know how it is now but when I was over there for Desert Storm there was no shortage of sunscreen. Maybe things have changed in the past 20 or so years.
I haven't had any military experience since 1973. So I'm not sure how much it has changed. I do know you were subject to an article 15 if you got yourself sunburned though.
The U.S. Army considered you a piece of their equipment and expected you to take care of their equipment.
Back then they provided all things necessary to do that.
This post was edited on 6/5/14 at 2:23 pm
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:23 pm to Themole
quote:
I haven't had any military experience since 1973. So I'm not sure how much it has changed. I do know you were subject to an article 15 if you got yourself sunburned though.
The U.S. Army considered you a piece of their equipment and expected you to take care of their equipment.
They told us the same thing I served from the late 80's through the late 90's.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:26 pm to Sev09
We did a couple for some Marine officer friends of mine who were trying to get stuff for their platoons, and they were related to "nicer" things that they really liked but didn't necessarily get. I can't recall entirely, but maybe Oakley goggles and knee/elbow pads, Under Armor gear, etc.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:27 pm to Sev09
quote:
Anyways, it just seemed like an odd thing to raise money for.
What do you think?
Donate to WWP, DAV, PVA, etc. - due your due diligence to make sure the charity supports your goals and ideals, but I'm a veteran of OIF and, indirectly, OEF (via a deployment to Kosovo) - and we had everything we needed - churches fill up bins (or they used to) with everything you can imagine and our chaplain's office bulged with toothpaste, floss, soap, sunscreen, coffee, etc.
If a specific unit needs something specific, then donate in kind and work through that unit's FRG or rear detachment.
quote:
I came across some care package fundraiser ad where you can donate up to $600, which supplies Mary Kay brand sunscreen to 48 soldiers.
Think about this for a second: $12.50 a soldier for sunscreen - I'm sure the PX they have access to has it cheaper - pre-paid Visa cards would be wiser investment - IMHO.
(My bona fides - 26 year veteran of the U.S. Army, all of it in the USAR or Louisiana Army National Guard - I have deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.)
This post was edited on 6/6/14 at 7:31 am
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:29 pm to mikeboss550
quote:
Plenty of other ammenities that would be better suited to send over like, soft toilet paper
No shi... I mean, "No kidding."
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:29 pm to Themole
quote:
I do know you were subject to an article 15 if you got yourself sunburned though.
I read this, too. This is what really drove me to create a thread and find out if it was true.
It was mailed out by an "Individual Mary Kay Beauty Consultant" in partnership with "Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc".
Here's a link to their public info:
LINK
This post was edited on 6/5/14 at 2:30 pm
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:30 pm to Darth_Vader
Most of the fundraisers and care packages are organized by family members who feel like they need to do something. For the most part, service members have everything they need. My mom and ex-wife would get all kinds of donations and send boxes and boxes and boxes of care packages to me and all my guys. We definitely appreciated it, but didn't really need everything they sent. It makes them feel better.... like they are doing a little bit for the cause and supporting their troop. I was always happy to get free stuff.
My mom still sends stuff all the time to people. Blue Star Mothers is always looking for people to send stuff to.
My mom still sends stuff all the time to people. Blue Star Mothers is always looking for people to send stuff to.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:30 pm to BottomlandBrew
quote:
I hope we're not sending sunscreen to soldiers in Iraq.
Good catch - I'm sure it is for Afghanistan, though.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:34 pm to Sev09
I'm talking out of my arse but why would you pay for Mary Kay brand sunscreen? I can't imagine that something like sunscreen wouldn't be bought it bulk from a cheaper source, especially on such a large scale
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:44 pm to Ace Midnight
quote:
Think about this for a second: $12.50 a soldier for sunscreen - I'm sure the PX they have access to has it cheaper - pre-paid Visa cards would be wiser investment - IMHO.
Exactly. That's why I brought up the cost. Seems high.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:45 pm to Sev09
Without looking any further into it, that seems like it could mostly be marketing for the particular brand of sun screen. It seems to me that a more general donation to the soldiers might be better.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 2:46 pm to Ed Osteen
quote:
I'm talking out of my arse but why would you pay for Mary Kay brand sunscreen? I can't imagine that something like sunscreen wouldn't be bought it bulk from a cheaper source, especially on such a large scale
I agree. And if it has to be Mary Kay sunscreen because somehow, they're being charitable? Why not just donate and not request donations from others?
It's not like they're even providing it at a reduced cost.
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