Help Support Australian Troops This Christmas
21st November, 2014
Spare a thought this Christmas, for the 2,200 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who are deployed overseas and will be unable to spend time with their families this year, asks Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss. “I would ask all Australians to consider supporting our ADF personnel overseas, by sending them a message or a care parcel. Even a simple message saying ‘thank you for your service’ can make a real and positive difference in the lives of defence personnel who are spending Christmas away from their loved ones,” Mr Truss said.
Members of the public can email messages of support to defence personnel overseas at supportthetroops@defence.gov.au.
“I also encourage Australians to support our recently returned veterans this Christmas, by making a donation to ex-service organisations, such as the RSL, Legacy or Soldier On, which provide important services to our ADF personnel, past and present, and their families,” Mr Truss said.
“In the true spirit of Christmas, we should also consider those who are less fortunate than ourselves, especially defence personnel who have been wounded in the course of their duties, and the family members of defence personnel who are suffering as a result of the death of a loved one. Both Legacy and Soldier On support families in these circumstances and donations can be made at www.legacy.com.au or www.soldieron.org.au.”
For those still wishing to send a care package, the Australian Forces Post Office box address below will be open from 3 November until 8 December 2014.
An Australian Defence Member
AFPO 60
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890
Alternatively people may wish to donate money to the RSL’s Australian Forces Overseas Fund, which provides care packages to Australian troops and the Australian Federal Police personnel biannually.
“This Christmas I urge Australians to again dig deep and show compassion for our serving men and women and their families, whose sacrifices ensure our safety and security,” Mr Truss said.
