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[MinusInnocence]

SPC David Amberson, stationed at Camp Adder in Iraq, has organized and received sponsorship for the first annual Ziggurat Con. It's a gaming convention for soldiers deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom, but although the higher-ups have given the green light obviously all of the legwork falls to average citizens.

Just about anything you can think of; D&D supplies, dice, card games, anything you might find at a gaming con; is in short supply there in Talil, Iraq. Well, actually, they have zero supplies, there is no Friendly Local Gaming Store for troops to visit during their tour of duty. The objective here is that everyone attending the con in June have something to bring home with them, be it a Player's Handbook, a bag of dice or a Three Dragon Ante deck.

You can find info on how it got started and where they're at now at the Wiki article. It may help to know what you can and can't send overseas. Also, if you live on the West Coast or are just interested in helping out a more organized grassroots project, check out Operation Dice Drop.

Saturday, May 26th is the absolute latest you can expect to send something even by express mail and expect it to arrive at Camp Adder on time. I'm not gonna lie to you, postage is a killer but it's for a good cause and anyway, websites like Paizo's give discounts for large purchases. My care package had over $100 shipping and handling and for that reason, I also donated $100 to Operation Dice Drop because that's where they're coming up short with each shipment, they can't afford to put the crates in the mail.

Here's the addy.

SPC David Amberson, Z-Con
A Co 86th Sig Bn
APO, AE 09331

I wish I had found out about it sooner but they only just posted a bulletin on WotC's main site this weekend. Sorry folks!

EDIT: I invited John Bartley of Operation Dice Drop to stop by and say a few words about their involvement in the project, so if he replies to the thread please don't delete it as a solicitation!
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"Truth is treason in the Empire of Lies." - Dr. Ron Paul

[K7AAY]

K7AAY aka John Bartley here.

Started Operation Dice Drop on my own, for Portland (Oregon) gamers who might not know how to effectively ship material, and to spread the word. The local drive will end on 21 May.

You are welcome to copy the art for an Operation Dice Drop from your home town; just give attribution, and never, never charge profit, always making sure every dime collected goes to merchandise or postal costs.

As MinusInnocence noted, freight costs are spendy, especially now that the deadline for reliable arrival via Media Mail has ended. I've looked for ways to get free freight, but so far, no dice {he he he}.

However, one large parcel costs less than two smaller parcels of the same total weight, so if you are self-shipping, put everything into one box of no more than 34" long, 17" wide and 17" tall for minimum cost. I've got more details on shipping at the website, http://operationdicedrop.blogspot.com

[Fixxxer]

As it turns out, my local gaming store has just put a bunch of Dragon Dice and Anachronism card packs in the bargain bin. I'll stop by tomorrow are work and see what I can get.
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Listen here. Read'ns don't never not done not nothin' for not nobody!

I think you mean not nonebody.

Excuse me, not nonebody. Never not no one didn't about no read'n not never, and by god, they never not ain't gonna will!