I'm not really trying to get into the "parts from Europe" business. I'm actually skirting some pretty serious issues with this little project:

-- since these are all gifts, I'm using the paperwork to not pay the German taxes. If this was for profit or, really, anything else, I'd have to (or would feel amazingly obligated to) pay the German taxes -- 16% this week, but going to 19% next week with the new year.

-- since these are all gifts, I'm sending them out via the military postal system, which is a whole lot cheaper than sending them from the German mail system.

-- and since these are all gifts, I don't have to have a little conversation with the Army, about my running a business from the housing that they provide me. Or with the Germans, about paying income tax.

Let me get through this first round of five, then we can talk some more. Not opposed to the idea, just not in a position to keep sending out gifts (because if you didn't already know, let me tell you -- the Army doesn't pay all that well!)

 

Ah well that might be true but think of all the great places you get to visit

And don't forget the motto: This place sucks, let's camp!

Check is going out today to the Chaplain, as well as the Helping Hearts for those that have PM'd me.

Wanted to thank you once again for putting this together and even though I'm retired Army, I never knew of this program! So thanks for bringing it to my attention

 

BTW, those looking to help a Stateside organization with the same goal of helping our Wounded Service Members, abuzavi had provided a web link in a PM that I think would be better served if it was post for all to see and use.

Wounded Warrior Project

 

Totally understand. I can appreciate your position. I will check this thread periodically, and hope I get email alerts when there are updates. Thanks much.

 

Good point abuzavi

 

I'm glad that you guys understand. I'm all for helping, but I'm also all for doing the right thing. Let me get through these 5 and then I'll see what other help I can offer.

And Smokey, the plus side to that not-for-profit, as I see it, is that they are not-for-profit and thus facilitate tax-deductible donations. The drawback is their overhead -- not every dollar contributed goes to helping the Joe's, while sending it straight to the chaplain does (but that's not tax deductible).

 

abuzavi, I do not need any parts for my new MINI, but I will pop on the website and make a donation. I have a nephew that has been in Iraq for about a couple of months with his Marine unit. I hope he never needs the services of this hospital or any other. Thanks for pointing out a way we can help out!
Marlow Main

 

Agree! I think their administrative costs are about 18% which might sound high but are in line with other not-for-profits, from what I've read. I donated to both, since we got that huge 3.3% raise

Are you sure about the Chaplain's fund not being tax deductible? Even if it isn't, I want to meet the auditor that will issue a penalty for a deduction claimed for a contribution to the Wounded Warrior Program. He'll be going to hell for sure

Of course that wasn't the point of the whole program anyway. Keep up the good work abuzavi

 

Smokey, actually, I've just assumed that the Chaplains fund is not tax-deductible. An assumption. Finding out for sure would require some actual effort - maybe as much as a phone call.

I dunno. A couple of hundred bucks -- maybe if I was writing them a check for $4000 or something, I'd be worried about getting a little somethin'-somethin' for my taxes.

 

Fantastic idea, truly a service in every respect!
I wish I had caught on to this earlier, as my less than 24 hour old (to me) Mini needs one, but allow me to provide a little reinforcing fire for the overall effort. I'm still active duty and teach at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. The new CMC spoke a week or so before Christmas. In his view, as the new military head of the USMC, the wounded and their care is a significant enough issue these days that it is one of his first priorities. I won't go into the new programs he is implementing, but it will require significant human and financial resources. The magnitude of the issue is larger than many, in or out of uniform, realize.
Please don't stop any of your efforts based on my post, but let me suggest an additional option. We have students and faculty who go up to Bethesda to provide food to family members and service members on Sundays when the hospital services are minimal. After medevac through Germany, don't forget, our folks wind up back here. Sometimes, with intermediate stops at places like Walter Reed or Bethesda, sometimes, not. Frequently, the long term care or rehabilitation is provided more locally at a VA hospital near their family or original duty station depending on the situation. Anyway, my point is many of you can find injured service members in your area that may be able to use a visit, a smile, something along those lines. A lot of these younger service members may not have much of a family locally to help pass the time and such. Anyway, if you have time and are interested, a call to the Chaplain at the base or VA hospital local to you might lead to more personal opportunities. You would be amazed at the spirit you will see and the strength you may draw from the experience.
I hope that isn't discouraging or preachy, but the options to help don't seem to get a lot of publicity these days. Hopefully, I'm not out of line as one of the new guys.

 

Boy, looking in the back of my car this afternoon makes it look like I *am* in the "parts from Europe" business after all.

Parts are in! Will box 'em up tonight and get 'em in the mail tomorrow.

Today, though, I take comfort in being the only guy able to ask, "What, your Mini doesn't have six parcel shelves in it?"

Here are the five inserts



And the rubber tray thingies



All of the little bits and pieces... pieces, I guess.



And, as a bonus for helping me with this effort, some German Mini ****. Two Mini pamphlets / booklets, and three of the "every other accessory" catalogs (which I will need to read tonight before wrapping the boxes). No, I could not steal 5 of each, so you'll get what you get -- share amongst yourselves if you must. And no, you can't read these and then come to me with parts and accessoried orders!

 

Now I'm really sorry I gave up my spot to pottersmom I love MINI ****

 

Well, if there's extra ****, I'll let you know and will find a way to send it to you. The funny looking one, with the guy jumping, actually has all kinds of neat things in it. While I was posting earlier, my son found it and was chekcing it out -- they start early with the Mini ****.....

 

Boxes are in the mail.

I want to again thank all of you for helping me with this. Yes, I know that that sounds funny, but it's true. I'm accomlishing a few goals at once -- helping people get the ultra-hip parcel shelves, and pushing money to the Wounded Warrior program.

The bonus for me was that it looks like not five people have reached into their wallets to send money, but over 10. Way cool.

Let me know when the boes arrive. My daughter had at them before they went into the mail, so they are all adorned with custom art work, too. No flames, though.

 

Well, I got my shelf today and I can't thank you enough! This is still one of the most unselfish thing one could do, and I am thrilled to be one of the lucky ones to help!

Thanks again!

BTW, tell your daughter that her pictures were beautiful!

Have a great Year!!!!!!

Mark

 

Got mine today and installed it. Can't thank abuzavi enough for doing this. I liked the art work on the box also.

Need those other folks that received their boxes to make sure they have their screws and blue retainers....I received 12 screws and 10 retainers....so I have a bunch left over (you only need 2 of each).

REALLY nice to see that some other folks contributed to this very worthwhile cause.

 

Thanks, guys. I'm glad the stuff is arriving safely and intact. I had visions of crushed boxes and the like.

Yeah -- screws and retainers. See, I told the guy I needed enough to install 5 of the shelves. He took care of everything from there. When the parts came in, yes, I was swimming in screws and retainers. But, he gave me a hell of a deal for the 5 sets, including all the extras. Who was I to argue?

So, put 'em in a baby jar and save them for the next club meeting, and pass them along to someone who needs them. Or send them back to me -- my wife told me I had a screw loose for doing this, anyway.....

 

Apologizing in advance if I am posting this in the wrong place, I very well may be! New to the forum stuff. I understand that the US no longer sells the parcel shelves. Any ideas from anyone on someone in the UK I could get one from?

THANKS!

TaraLeigh