Imminent closure of Pens for the Troops

[Simomatra]

As Pens for the Troops is only receiving support from a couple of people I can see no alternative than to close this chapter. This is a great shame especially ith the Anzac 100 year celebration coming on next years. This Christmas is the poorest ever with only 55 pens going.:no::no::no::no::no:

[wheelinround]

Not good :no: but in the current economic situation I can understand, rising costs of living not keeping pace is the income, as well as rising costs of kits and postage health issues all take their toll.

I hope this stays strong its a great cause.:2tsup: just because troops have left the objective doesn't mean they no longer need our support.

[Ironwood]

As I read this I get a guilty feeling, I have about six or eight pens worth of tubes all glued up and ready to turn, I started these about 18 months ago for the troops but always seem to be too busy.
We used to run our business with my wife and I, along with five staff, we are down to the wife and I and two staff now, still doing the same days and hours, 7 days/12hrs a week, so I guess I do have a bit of an excuse but still feel guilty because I haven't done more.

With the pen forum participation dropping off to the lowest I have ever seen it, it is going to be a tough task to get more people involved in pens for the troops.
Pity the vast number of visitors/lurkers I always see present don't sign up and offer some help.

There only seems to be a handful of contributing members on here now, so I don't know what the answer is to get the boost needed to keep things going.

I am willing to donate more than enough timber blanks to anyone needing them to turn pens for the troops, just PM me if anyone wants them.

[MAPLEMAN]

I am willing to donate more than enough timber blanks to anyone needing them to turn pens for the troops, just PM me if anyone wants them.Happy to donate too Ironwood :2tsup:...i still have a stash of Crow's Ash pen blanks from the 'commemorative' tree if yourself or anyone else would like to turn a few for the Troops.
Well done Brad for your generosity,the more folk that come on board will ensure that this initiative stays alive...MM:2tsup:

[Simomatra]

Thank you for your support. I woill continue to make pens myself and send. if anyone else wants in then please send pens to me. Thanks Mapleman and Ironwood for you offer of blanks if we get an influx of turners then we will let you know

[MAPLEMAN]

I woill continue to make pens myself and send Great effort Simomatra :2tsup:...MM

[Mobyturns]

Perhaps you could give us a basic run down on how the "pens for troops" works. What sort of pens kits are preferred? Do you have kits available at wholesale prices? Those sorts of matters.

[mach70]

From my understanding it is a donation.

Some pen kit distributors do get involved and offer free kits and likewise people like Mapleman who sell blanks and timbers get involved as well.

[Simomatra]

Perhaps you could give us a basic run down on how the "pens for troops" works. What sort of pens kits are preferred? Do you have kits available at wholesale prices? Those sorts of matters.

It runs totally on donations, Timberbits over the years have generously donated kits and we have found people to turn the pens. There have been many other that have donated blanks namely Chris aka Mapleman who has donated blanks form a tree that was planted in Woodford Queensland in remembrance of CH Smith and Australian Digger. He served in the Great War (1914-1918). The timber was Crows Ash. The tree was damaged and passed on Chris has salvaged the tree and gifted some to the local RSL and also banks for turners to make into pens Any sort of pen will do most that have been sent over the years have been slimlines. The troops have received bullet pens and they have been held in high esteem

All pens come too me and I send the on to the Padres in the deployed areas, pens go to all services that are deployed. Some have even by the kindness of our troops been given to others who serve alongside them. We have had many letters of thanks form the troop which have all been posted on this forum and on the Facebook page we operate here https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pens-for-the-Troops/176548512472339

We have the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli nest years and it would be nice to send a huge parcel of pens to our troops. I have some 50 year old Gallipoli rosemary blanks that I intend to make pens for this occasion

Amos was the first person that started this many tears ago and even after he handed it to me to keep it running Amos has been a major donor of kits and unsung hero, one of natures real gentleman. He would give the shirt of his back to anyone in need

I hope this identifies what this is all about

[Christos]

I have not been part of this in the pass as I have not been very good at making pens. I guess it came down to needing more practice. I would be happy to make a few pens for the troops.

It might take me a little while what sort of time frame/date will it be before you send your pens to the troops?

[Simomatra]

I have not been part of this in the pass as I have not been very good at making pens. I guess it came down to needing more practice. I would be happy to make a few pens for the troops.

It might take me a little while what sort of time frame/date will it be before you send your pens to the troops?


Many thanks Christos all pens welcome its the thought that counts. Anything from home to these people is a big bonus they love the support.

Christos we are looking at one of my friends who is being deployed will br hand carrying so right up to Christmas any that do not make the Christmas run will be held for the Anzac Day run

[soundman]

Send me a PM with the address & I'll have some pens for you.

cheers

[Christos]

.....Christos we are looking at one of my friends who is being deployed will br hand carrying so right up to Christmas any that do not make the Christmas run will be held for the Anzac Day run

That gives me some time to get some done. Once done I will send you a PM for an address.

[PenTurner]

Usually it is not the money involved, at $2 for a slimline, 10 slimlines is not usually a burden price wise, and if it is a burden, just contact Sam, and somehow we would arrange for some kits to come to you. The real problem is the "sacrafice" to make a few pens, we need to remember in our hearts, the real sacrafice the troops have made, that helps us to put the effort into making some pens. Just dedicate one afternoon to it, it is a reward in itself. When all is almost gone, when our numbers are down, when it looks like "this is it!", that is when we need to stick together and make a go of it; Thanks Sam for looking after Pens for The Troops, I do pray there may be some extra effort by us all to continue this worthy cause. Amos:):):2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

[Treecycle]

Sometimes it is a reminder like this that gets us to refocus and kick us into action.
If Amos in his present condition can pen a post to encourage us like he has, I think it is up to us now to react and keep this good cause going.
It is easy to get caught up in our everyday lives and feel comfortable, but forget about those who are not as fortunate and will be away from family at this great time of year.
As Amos says, it is not the financial commitment, just time. It is now too late for the Christmas batch, but I will certainly provide some for the next shipment.:U

[Simomatra]

Usually it is not the money involved, at $2 for a slimline, 10 slimlines is not usually a burden price wise, and if it is a burden, just contact Sam, and somehow we would arrange for some kits to come to you. The real problem is the "sacrafice" to make a few pens, we need to remember in our hearts, the real sacrafice the troops have made, that helps us to put the effort into making some pens. Just dedicate one afternoon to it, it is a reward in itself. When all is almost gone, when our numbers are down, when it looks like "this is it!", that is when we need to stick together and make a go of it; Thanks Sam for looking after Pens for The Troops, I do pray there may be some extra effort by us all to continue this worthy cause. Amos:):):2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:


Well said Amos

[Simomatra]

Send me a PM with the address & I'll have some pens for you.

cheers

Done

[Simomatra]

Sometimes it is a reminder like this that gets us to refocus and kick us into action.
If Amos in his present condition can pen a post to encourage us like he has, I think it is up to us now to react and keep this good cause going.
It is easy to get caught up in our everyday lives and feel comfortable, but forget about those who are not as fortunate and will be away from family at this great time of year.
As Amos says, it is not the financial commitment, just time. It is now too late for the Christmas batch, but I will certainly provide some for the next shipment.:U


Very well said Dallas. Amos is just one in a million. We are always open for pens. Its good to see we have brought some new life into the cause, well done everyone.

[Marissa]

Happy to donate too Ironwood :2tsup:...i still have a stash of Crow's Ash pen blanks from the 'commemorative' tree if yourself or anyone else would like to turn a few for the Troops.
Well done Brad for your generosity,the more folk that come on board will ensure that this initiative stays alive...MM:2tsup:

hi Ironwood and Mapleman, my husband has taught me to turn pens recently and my cousin just joined a long line of our family to enter the army...I would love to turn some anniversary pens for 2015 for the troops with the special timbers you both have mentioned...I would also like to make a couple of expensive kits with the timber and sell them with the pens we make, with a percentage of profit to go to an organisation that supports the troops (and be marketed as such). Alongside marketing for 2015 commemoration pens I think we could do quite well with pens and proceeds for our troops...do you think this is acceptable?

I'm a school teacher on holidays at present so have a little time up my sleeve...I'd love to hear what you guys think

Marissa

[PenTurner]

Marissa, if you want some pen blanks or some kits, contact Simomatra by PM, (Sam), if you include your phone number in the Private Message, Sam could speak with you directly, Amos:):2tsup:

[Marissa]

Thanks very much Amos, have done :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MAPLEMAN]

Thanks very much Amos, have done :)


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkHi Marissa...i could send you some Crows Ash blanks if you like...MM:2tsup:

[Marissa]

MM that would be wonderful! Shall I PM you?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk