Send Your Old Coins to the Troops in Iraq

I just was given a neat bit of information. My buddy who just got back from Iraq and told me that the troops who go out on patrols sometime carry old US Coins & Beanie Baby's to give to the Iraqi kids they meet. The kids in turn tell the GI's where the IED's are at.

If they can do it with Beanie Baby's why couldn't they do it with junk silver franklins and Walkers? I don't have an address but the WWW has unlimited information...

Just an Idea.
Ben

 

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OOPS, I didn't mean your OLD coins, I meant to say JUNK coins to the troops in Iraq. It might save a life.

Ben

 

Well, I think the government could supply them with coins.

 

Military Red Tape is probably one of the reasons, see little personal items like tooth-paste, razors, underwear, etc., are determined to be individual responsibilities. The get mailed from their home base if unavailable in Iraq for purchase. Heck they troops cant's seem top get the (Dragon Skin) body armor they need much less neat little 'Numismatic Treats' to use for information gathering. I've got a couple of rolls of junk Mercury and Roosevelt dimes along with 10 old junk Walkers I'm sending this week with a note for the Officer In Charge on what they are for.

Ben

 

Count me in Ben-
I was going to sell 10 Franklin's on Ebay. They are actually in pretty good shape but was going to sell them for melt. I think this is a much better use for them. If you come across the address please post or maybe we could get one big collection up and one person could send. I would be happy to contribute some coins and money for postage.
Craig

 

This is all I can come up with now after calling the Red Cross here. Add all your items and make sure to list what you've added and what it is for. Here is also a link with individual units.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/iraq.htm

I think this is the same address Jen (wife) sends Girl Scout Cookies to, or did last year anyway.

Iraq Public Affairs Office/CC
Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

 

Thanks..Are we going to send the coins as a group or just send them out per person? No problem either way for me.

 

Bone,

This is a noble venture and one that I would not mind contributing to in some way! However, there are hazards in giving American toys and coins to Iraqi children! Many of the religious sects of the Shiites and Sunnis...especially the radicals and insurgents, view this as consorting with the enemy (U.S. Troops and Coalition Troops) and many times, will kill the entire family including the child that received the toy or coin(s). I believe that food and locally made (in Iraq) clothing would be more appropriate items to give and ones that which may prevent the child and his/her family from being murdered.

If you think of a way that I can contribute without putting an Iraqi child and his/her family in jeopardy, then please let me know.


Frank

 

Just per individual or small local group I've venture to say. You and I are the only ones interested so far...

 

Don't mean to be negative here, but if you send a bunch of walkers or franklins, I really don't think a soldier (at least one who goes on patrol) will ever see one. It has to go through so many hands before it gets there and someone is going to scoop them up.

Wouldn't Ikes be better (they're bigger), cheaper and less likely to get lifted on the way.

Sorry for the negativity, but you also have to be realistic here.

 

They are doing it sucessfully now with Beanie Babies and other old stuffed animals along with the odd US half dollar...

 

Just a thought here......kids in Iraq do like big shiny things....coins medals, repros It doesnt matter......

But these are kids despite teh horrors and hardships they have gone through....I know the Civial affair guys loved the beanies because they are small light weight and what most kids over there have never had....a stuffed animal.

I love thte thought you put into this, and it is definately worth looking into. I wish you the best, and please let us know how it turns out....

 

I agree, don't give them exspensive stuff. It just has to be different or shiney for it to work. Ikes, toys, stuffed animals, those are better. Give your coins to YN's.

 

Yes, any shiny silver coin would work, I just have more junk silver than I do IKEs and Clad Franklins. I wouldn't try it with pennies, because these kids aren't stupid either... Old stuffed animals, old junk coins (large silver looking ones), etc., are probably going to help the most.

I'll post any results I find out about...
Ben

 

our guys take over things like pencils, crayons, paper, books etc. They've been in our store stocking up for the next group that heads out in June

 

I've been folowing this thread and think I might have a solution toi some peoples concerns about coins not reaching their intended destination. Silver is trading at about $9 to the dollar. every dollar of silver could buy 3-4 beanie babies which would probably go further and no one in the chain would be likely to pocket them. If anyone decides to set something up I'm sure I could pitch in some.

Ziggy

 

Craig a - Please activate Private Messaging.

 

Wonder if Halliburton will send some.

Sure.

 

I already send packages to the troops...

 

Well, just got back from sending off a little over 8lbs of Coins ($20 Clad US Half Dollars and $5 in silver dimes), 10 Beanie Babies, 3 large containers of Baby Wipes, and 10 packages of Beef Jerky. I included a note on what to use the coins for, as the other items are pretty easy to figure out. Don't know if it'll help or not but hey... Darn postage was $37 dollars.

Ben