Many of our
members have loved ones that are deployed in war zones and some of our members
have been called to perform service in this time of war. It does not matter if
you agree or disagree with the war, our soldiers need
your support. With the holidays approaching and as many deployments are being
extended, it is important that they know we care and appreciate the sacrifices
they make during the holiday season. There are many
websites dedicated to supporting the troops that provide you with
information on how to help. We suggest “www.americasupportsyou.mil” then
click on “Make a Difference”. Take time today to send a package. If you don't
have a family member deployed overseas, check with your friends, colleagues, or
church members to get the address of someone who is serving. Remember, a customs form is required for
packages going outside the
If you
choose to help in other ways, the web site can guide you through many different
options such as donation of
frequent flyer miles,
computers, digital cameras and money as well as letters, post cards and
E-mail support.
Please
remember those soldiers that return home or are back on leave need support also.
If you see a soldier, thank them. Pay for a soldiers’ meal. Many parents are
left caring for children while their spouse is deployed. Offer to care for the
children while mom or dad takes a few hours to relax or go to the store.
Please
familiarize yourself with a few rules. If you choose to send a care package, be
sensitive to the Islamic culture. Pork products of any kind are not allowed. Do
not send alcohol, drugs or anything that may be considered pornographic. Pack your items so as not to be damaged. It can take 10 to 15 days (sometimes longer)
to reach a deployed soldier so perishable items are not an option. The post
office provides free priority mailing boxes, however you will still have to pay
a domestic shipping rate for postage. Pack your box well as it will get bounced
around in shipping for a week or two.
Once you
mail your package, it is shipped to a military facility in the
Listed below
are some of the most frequently requested items. Those items listed in bold are
the most preferred items.
FOOD and
SNACKS:
Fruit Roll-Ups /
Fruit By The Foot / Fruit Gummies
Beef Jerky / Slim
Jims
Hard Pretzels /
Cheetos / Fritos / Chex Mix / Wheat Thins
Gum and Hard Candy
(must be individually wrapped)
Granola Bars / Power
Bars / Cereal Bars
Small Packs of Fig
Trail Mix, Dried
Fruit, Granola
DRY SOUP: (Ramen
Noodles / Cup-O-Soup-just add water)
NUTS: Peanuts, Mixed
Nuts (salted)
COFFEE (Ground or
whole; instant or drip), Hot Chocolate packets, Herbal teas
Pumpkin Seeds /
Sunflower Seeds (salted)
MICROWAVE FOOD
(Popcorn, Mac
'n Cheese)
COOKIES / Girl Scout Cookies (chocolate types Oct. - Feb.)
NO CHOCOLATE
from MARCH to SEPTEMBER
(it
may melt)
Instant
Drink Mixes (Gatorade, Kool-Aid, Crystal Light)
Cheese & Cracker
packs
Condiments, Spices;
Sugar; Salad Dressing (no glass)
Oatmeal Packs (Instant
- just add water)
Tuna in foil
pouches (no cans)
Protein Powders /
Protein Bars /
Cereal (small,
individual boxes)
Rice Krispie Treats
(Store-bought only)
Caffeinated gum or
candy (to stay alert)
TOILETRIES:
NO HOTEL SAMPLES!
Baby wipes (travel
size)
Liquid Hand
Sanitizer (travel size)
Shampoo /Conditioner
(travel size)
Hair Gel (for female
troops to pull hair back)
Combs / Brushes,
Bobby Pins
Eye Drops (i.e.
Visine)
Nasal Spray
Deodorant (travel size)
Razors (disposable:
"Intuition" or "Mach 3" type)
Shaving
Cream/Shaving Soap (in boxes or tubes; no cans!)
Cotton Swabs (i.e.
Q-tips)
Band-aids, Gauze
Pads, First Aid Kits
Lip balm / Chap Stick
Baby Powder & Foot Powder (travel size)
Loufa Sponges /Buff Puffs / Washcloths
Tissues (individual packs; travel size only)
Sunblock, SPF 45, Zinc, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera Gel
Bug Spray / DEET / Skin-So-Soft (by
Hand & Body Lotion / Moisturizer (travel size)
Mouthwash (travel size)
Toothpaste & Toothbrushes & Dental Floss
VITAMINS (multi-vitamins most needed)
Breath Mints / Breath Strips
Lozenges / Cough Drops
Nail files / Emery Boards / Nail Clippers
Feminine Hygiene Products
Cotton Balls
Tylenol, Motrin,
Advil or Aspirin Packets
Moleskin
Shoe Insole Cushions
(gel kind is best)
ENTERTAINMENT and SPORTS:
Batteries: “AA”
"AAA" and “C”
35 mm disposable
cameras
Small homemade gifts
- little comforts of "home"
Pens &
mechanical pencils
Stationery &
Envelopes; blank cards to send home
Double-sided tape
Day planners /
Small, Pocket Calendars
Crossword Puzzles /
Word Search Books / Math Puzzle books / MAD LIBS / Logic Problems
Magazines (used
okay, but no more than 3 months old)
Paperback Books
(new or used -NO
HARD COVER BOOKS)
Yo-Yo's, Dominoes,
playing cards, poker chips , dice
Nerf footballs /
Whiffle balls / sports equipment
Frisbees / Hackey
sacks
Electronic handheld
games
Portable CD
players / head phones
Music CDs (new or
used)
DVD Movies (new or
used)
Xbox & PS2
Games (new or used)
OTHER:
Small Flashlights
(powered by AA batteries)
Baggies (Zip lock,
freezer type, gallon size preferred)
Patriotic
knick-knacks,
bandanas,
baseball hats, football jerseys, banners.
Small alarm clocks
(battery operated)
K-9 items: Dog
treats, dog shampoo, dog toys, flea collars
Pre-Paid
phone cards (AT&T Long Distance Cards preferred)
Socks: Black, Olive
Green & White (cotton or wool)
Linens:
Pillow cases, twin sheets, towels (green & tan)
Cotton green
& tan under shirts (Sizes: M, L & XL) (The DOD banned "Under-Armor"
shirts due to the material being potentially flammable & creating
infections in open wounds.)
Generic sunglasses
Fly swatters, fly paper, mosquito netting, bug repellant in pump bottles (NO AEROSOL CANS PLEASE!)
Air Fresheners
Religious booklets,
small bibles, inspirational readings
Small toys &
school supplies for Iraqi & Afghani children
Small portable
heaters & fans (110 voltage okay)
Coffee Makers (110
voltage okay)
Microwave Ovens (50
lbs max; 110 voltage okay)