The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1918-10-30
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
FOR SOLDIERS IN EUROPE
Must Be Mailed According to
Directions by November 20
ahcIs 0iveu Non
Labels Given Men.

Labels Given Men.
The men themselves will de-
eide who is TO send these par
cells. They are now receiving
Christmas parcel labels with
instructions to mail these labels
to the person in this country
from whom they wish to re.
ceive the holiday box. To
avoid any chance of duplica-
ton, each soldier gets but one
of these labels. Packages that
do not hear these labels will not
be accepted. In the event of
this label being lost it cannot
be replaced. No Christmas par.
cells will be accepted for ship
ment after November 20. The
cardboard boxes, or cartons, TO
be provided for these parcels
are > inches by inches by .
inches in size. When packed,
wrapped and ready for mailing
these boxes must not weigh
more than three pounds.
Red Cross Provides Boxes.
The American Red Cross has
agreed to provide these card
board boxes and to supervise
their distribution to relatives
of the soldiers who present the
proper Christmas parcel label
credential. The distribution of
the cartons Will be made by
Red Cross branches throughout
the country. 1t will be incum-
bent upon the person receiving
one of these boxes to return IT
when filled, but unwrapped, to
the collection point designated
10y the Red Cross. Here it will
be inspected by the Red Cross
inspectors authorized TO exclude
any articles barred by the post.
al authorities, after which the
box will be shipped. In short,
the Red Cross is responsible for
the distribution, receipt at de
sinated points, the inspection,
and mailing of the boxes.
Outline of Procedure.
The following is an outline of
the procedure to be followed by
persons planning to send one of
these parcels abroad;
On receiving one of these
Christmas parcel labels it
should he presented at the near
est chapter, branch or auxiliary
headquarters of the Red Cross,
where the holder will receive Il
carton. These labels are not
expected TO reach this country
before November /, but by that
time each Red Cross branch
will have its allotment of boxes
based on the number of soldiers
in service overseas from that
community.
These boxes may be filled
With any combination of ar
ticles, except those on the list
barred by the postal officials.
The articles prohibited are all
Intoxicating liquors, ali inllam-
mable material, including fric-
ton matches and any compost
ton likely to ignite or explode
Cigarette lighters come under
this classification, liquids, and
fragile articles improperly pack
ed Under the postal regula-
tons no note or message or
written matter of any kind will
be permitted to remain in the
boxes. In addition to the fore
going list of prohibited articles,
relatives and friends Of the sol.
diers are urged to bear these
facts in mind when preparing
Christmas parcels:
No Perishable Goods.
Do not put anything in the
package which will not keep
fresh until Christmas.
Pack dried fruits and other
food products in small tin or
wooden boxes.
Give preference to hard candy
over chocolates, unless the lat
ter are enclosed in heavy wrap.
pers. Soft chocolates are easily
crushed and may spoil the 9th
or contents.
DO not put articles packed in
glass in the package.