URGENT: Care packages for troops. Lots of holidays are upon us and

[GreenPartyVoter]

the kids who don't follow a faith of any kind would also love to get a care package from home, holiday or no.

Please post the best sites for connecting with a troop or a contact addy of someone who can make certain that packages are handed out. (There is no such thing as Any Soldier mail any more.)

NOTE: I sent a bunch of packages last fall for my church and learned the hard way to NOT put toiletries and food in the same packages no matter how well-wrapped. The scents from the toiletries will flavor the food. :(

[necso]

1. Weather should be cool enough

(or soon, anyway) to send chocolate.

It's a big favorite.

[SillyGoose]

2. Have you checked out anysoldier.com ?

They have a list of requests from soldiers stationed overseas.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Thanks, I used a different site last time. I'll try this one this time

[wildflowergardener]

5. Thanks for that link

Hi. Thanks for the link. I think I will put some care packages together and send them to soldiers. I am glad to find a way to support the troops that actually goes to the troops - without knowing any of them personally.

Meg

[SillyGoose]

6. Your welcome and welcome to DU!

:hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Welcome to DU *Wave*

[wildflowergardener]

9. Thanks - but

Thanks for the welcomes, but I've been here over a year - I just don't post a whole lot - I mainly lurk and post occassionally.

I am thinking I am going to make up a bunch of boxes to send. Also I was thinking it might be a good idea to make a DVD of some current (non political) tv shows to send over as well as food, etc. It makes me sad though just reading the entries of the people, knowing they might not come back.

Meg

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. Yeah, DVDs are appreciated, I think. And I agree, that is a very sad

thought. :(

[shaniqua6392]

3. I just sent money last month to Michigan Gov. Granholm

who is sponsoring fundraiser to buy gifts for the troops. They raised quite a bit of money last year. Here is the link if anyone is interested. Note: this would be for soldiers from Michigan only as far as I can tell, not that it should matter.

http://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,1607,7-164--129003--,00.html

[AnnieBW]

7. Goin' to Costco This Weekend

To buy stuff for the troops. My agency is also sending care packages to our folks in the field, so I'll send stuff through them, too.

[BloodyWilliam]

11. I just ordered/sent two care packages through USO

Try this if you want to contribute. :)

www.usocares.com

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. Thanks!

[nomatrix]

13. Be sure to read how to send and FAQ on this site

ANYSOLDIER.COM

http://anysoldier.com

How it works. Select a service member on the left column of the home page. It will give details, where they serve, what is needed, where to send etc. The site itself is not a package distribution center, only a site to link the random acts of kindess, to those in foreign lands. Be sure to check again before you mail to be sure that soldier is still in that location for (all the obvious reasons)most needs are the same, but specifics like female items enclosed should go to a lady.

Read some of the soldiers comments about what they need from us.

Cards and Letters just to say thank you.
Anything from home.

Magazines, mystery books, board games, writing paper, envelopes, pens, CD's, DVD, how bout those handheld games your kids don't use, get your kids to go on a scavenger hunt, write cards, color pictures, etc.

Food
gummy bears, anything you can add water to like hot cocoa mix, cider, coffee, tea bags, sugar packets, sweetened koolaid, easy mac, breakfast on the go bars, flavored oatmeal, ramen noodles, soup mixes,
beef jerky, tootsie rolls, chewing gum, anything sweet but won't melt like chocolate.

Moisturizers- in shampoo, hand cremes, lip balms, lotions, body sprays, baby wipes, body wash

For women, feminine products, perfume (lucky is popular)

Icy hot, blister creams, toothbrushes toothpaste, razors, nail clippers, q-tips

Socks white, t-shirts

the items you take for granted everyday.



The post office has flat rate boxes that are $7 to ship as much as you can jam into them. Let them know you care with a card or letter too.

It will get you into the Christmas spirit, as I found out last night. Just think of how happy you could make a soldier away from home.

[wildflowergardener]

14. Customs forms question

The one thing I am a little confused about are the customs forms. It says they need to be filled out - but do you think you have to take the package to an actual person - rather than the postal store package drop - I think probably so, but I wasn't sure. If you print out the customs form, do you give it to the postal worker or tape it onto the box - or put it in the box?

I thought I might start with one package just to see how it all works.

Meg