Game Donations for Soldiers...
 

http://www.xepherys.net/wordpress/?p=10

Nothin', eh? :(

Sorry dude, I just recently traded most of my stuff in, however its a great thing you're doing. I never would have even thought to donate video games. Kudos to you :)

Great idea xeph! Although I don't own any video games, I applaud your efforts. Thank you for your service to our country and for your support of others in the service. You might want to try posting in the Veterans thread or Service thread.

I'm actually pretty shocked that so few people have responded to this thread. But then again, we are way left here. Sad.

I'm semi-left (well, rather center, I think) but I'm *IN* the Army. I think even the leftist among us at least support the people, even if not the action. But, maybe I'm wrong. Or maybe we're all too poor. LOL

My DVDs are in Baghdad with a really good friend. I've got them backed up on my external HD, so it's really not a problem.

I think it's just a matter of sending over something to help them remember that we're thinking about them and that might help to give them some relaxation in a situation that's more intense than I can even imagine.

Books, magazines, DVDs, games, etc. all would, I'm sure, be appreciated. Think of it as donating to those in need. No canned veggies...

Edit: This is a good link. The APO, so far, has been extremely helpful to me and to my friends and family.

xephyrs, I love this idea. I didn't want to post because I don't have any video games.

Presently being in Iraq, I feel the guys in Afghanistan deserve much more attention then we're giving them, and the games for soldiers is a great idea.

That would go over HUGE here, and I imagine the same for Aghanistan.

If games are too expensive, or lacking, I've seen magazines, homemade jerky, various types of tea and coffee all go over extremely well (hard candies don't).

xephyrs are you specifically looking for games or open to a broader spectrum?

kurty,

If you're in IRaq now, shoot an email to this guy:

Kevin Stewart <iraqgamedrive@gmail.com>

and he can probably send some game-style lovin' your way with a valid APO.

As for this drive, specifically games and gaming hardware. There's a booksforsoldiers and AnySoldier and such already that send food and socks and books and such. But not much in the way of actual entertainment (yes, books ARE entertaining, but it's not quite the same).
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When I was in the 'ghan we got all of those things, and they were all VERY appreciated. But video games were a nice change of pace now and then...

Xeph, how does it work? Do the soldiers pass them around or do they take them with them when they come home? How can we reach be most people?

Well, the donations I send out to the soldiers are generally left behind for the next crew who comes. That's the plan at least. Any hardware I've got (systems and such) I request definitely stays at the FOB so that the next group can use it, since obviously they are harder to come by.

I generally try to send boxes to more remote units in Afghanistan. As I said above, Afghanistan gets a lot less attention than Iraq, so those guys are in more need. I go with remote units because they don't have access to a PX most of the time (that's how it was for my unit), so they never have an opportunity to even BUY games when they are available.

Right now I have two boxes about to go out and have stuff for almost a third. Most are PC games, unfortunately, but then almost all soldiers have a laptop of some sort out there, so that works well enough.

If you know anyone else that might have some extra games to donate (new or used) or that might be willing to help cover shipping costs, please let me know. Shipping is $9.10/box (APO Flat Rate) so that can get a little pricey. Still worth shipping the stuff, though.

I don't game so I don't have anything but I will ask around.

Good luck Xeph and keep us posted and let us know if there are other ways we can help.