Care package items..let's start a list!

[MamaQuack]

Is there a central address for shipping packages? We don't know anyone serving in Iraq but would sure love to send packages if that is possible. WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN!

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I'll add something like either a magazine with Oscar coverage or printouts from the show

 

[dandave]

We all went shopping together for our package. Between the 4 of us we picked out way too much stuff, but we had a blast.

Aside from lots of snack foods, we also got:

A stick of waterproof/sweatproof sunblock
Tylenol Sinus (non-drowsy)
Antifungal Cream (athlete's foot and "male itch"), which DH says
they'll probably really appreciate
Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream, which I would love even at
room temp (it's premade and canned)
Dental floss
Listerene mouth strips
Starkist Lunch Kits


edited to add:
I just saw on Fox that these guys aren't getting to bathe. That's why they really, really need the baby wipes. They can use a little water to get their faces, but are discouraged from using too much water for bathing. I'll have to add some baby wipes to my package.

 

[jenjie]

Bumping to add that I heard they are requesting panty hose, to help protect against sand fleas. A thought I had as well, Folgers makes "tea bag" type individual coffee packets that you just dip in hot water. They are individually vacuum packed so you don't have to worry about the sand getting into the coffee.

My ds4 is sitting here giving me all kinds of ideas - some thoughtful (like chocolate, which he hates but knows everyone else loves) some not so good. But listening to his silly ideas gave me one or two of my own.

I'm guessing no chocolate b/c of melting. But do you think they might like a small bottle of chocolate sauce, just to flavor some stuff? Or not?

Another strange idea, I liked the ideas of magazines, bubbles etc. Would a few small sand toys be inappropriate?

One more question. Does anyone know if with toiletries, if there is a request for scented vs unscented? Just wondering if scented stuff attracts the sand fleas or any bugs more.

I am making a list now for my first package. A young lady from our church is over there now. I'd like to send her some things.

 

[jenjie]

One more idea which I heard was CEREAL. I think I'll get the variety pack with all the single serving boxes.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Hi all,

Came back from the post office just moments ago and sent off 4 boxes to various folks - some family and some adopted through Pembo and others.

Here is what I was told at least for our post office. The boxes can be sealed, in fact all 3 of the guys working thought it was odd we'd heard to take them in unsealed. I explained and he said they had no official word on that. Nor had they been told no hand sanitizer but that it made sense under the potentially hazardous clause.

No limit on box size, I had one that was fairly good size - about 24x18x18 and weighed just over 13 pounds - no problem. (it was full of Girl Scout cookies and there was some discussion about whether or not it would make it! all good natured)

Priority mail or regular parcel post. Send it parcel post. I was going to send one of the packages at least priority mail and was told it wouldn't make any difference. The post office has committed to moving APO and FPO address items to the distribution center in a "rapid manner" but once it got there quite a bottle neck has developed. Also their reports were that once the packages were hitting the overseas depots they were being distributed quite rapidly depending on where the service person was - obviously those on the front lines and moving every day are not getting packages as quickly but are getting letters very quickly. Now remember this was a postal employee and he did not give me specific time frames!

One last thing - he did mention that the volume is getting so heavy there has been talk of "limiting who can send" pacakages. Red Cross has already been told to suspend operations. I said no way could you get family and friends to stop sending. To which he agreed but said in the future they MAY start asking the relationship. So I guess all of those "adopted sons" might have to become "nephews"!

Deb

 

[WendyZ]

Finally sent my first one....

I had....

Newspapers
Magazines
Candy
Slim Jims
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Lotions
Wipes
Dog balls
Dog bones
Floss
Phone Card

I believe that's it...now to get started on the next one! It felt nice to help out. I'm sure they must love getting stuff from home...I know I would.
It was very reasonable to send it too! I was surprised, especially for how heavy it was!

 

[jamsmom]

Regarding realtionship to soldier:


Well, Titus can always be my cousin's/niece's boyfriend Since Ashli and I have the last name..... I just became a relative.

 

[jamsmom]

Rock-n-Robin posted a link to 1001st and they have a wish list:

Our wish list:

TO COME HOME SOON!

Toilet Paper - Beef Jerky - Baby Wipes - Personal Hygiene Items

Stationary - Pens - Skittles - Compressed Air for Laptops -

Books - Newspapers - Sports Illustrated Magazines - Twin Air Mattresses

Foot Powder - AA and D Batteries - Random sized watch batteries

Travel Size Alarm Clocks - AM/FM Radios with Antennas

Motorola hand held two-way radios - Black Cotton Socks - Board Games

TIDE dissolvable laundry tablets - Extension cords w/ground adapter (various sizes)

Q-tips - Shower shoes - towels - Trail mix - Cold medicine medications etc...




Depending on where your soldier is, some of these might not be realistic.

 

[Pugdog007]

What's up with the beef jerky and foot powder? Hmm. I'm putting my first package together for my adopted soldier (thanks Twinmom).

Is this unit (Bobby's unit) still moving? I guess I'm trying to think logically about what this entails and should I send things... I'd like to send a small fan... that they are going to have to lug around?

 

[UncleKyle]

These are all great ideas, thanks! I'm putting my package together as we type

 

[cinmell]

This is what we put in our 1st care package:

Visine
Toothpaste
Sunblock
Triscuits
Individual pringles (they come in plastic containers so they won't get squished )
Chapstick
Wipes (Baby wipes and antibacterial)
Purell
Batteries
Tissue
Peanutbutter crackers
Powdered drink mixes
Ziplocs
Cereal

A thank you letter!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Great idea on the Pringles! I was debating how to get a little "junk food" over without it turning into dust!

Thanks!
Deb

 

[jenjie]

Our first care package is all packed and waiting for a trip to the post office! This is a non-foods package.

(for a woman)

wipes
Dove facial cloths
travel size toothpaste, toothbrush
Crest "toothpaste" gum
eye drops
chapstick with spf 15
sunscreen
2 or 3 different moisturizers (My sil who sells Mary Kay donated them )
lip gloss (more Mary Kay)
beanie baby prayer bear, as a reminder that she is in our prayers every day
pictures and notes drawn by my kids
letter from me
self-addressed envelope, as someone here suggested

 

[J&D]

Here are some items that I have sent and haven't seen listed yet:

Smuckers Snackers- includes peanut butter and strawberry or grape jelly with crackers (no refrigeration needed)
Charmin To Go- a small dispenser of toilet paper
comics from the Sunday paper
pocket packs of Kleenex
breakfast bars
eyeglass wipes

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

We also put the comics from Sunday paper in one of our packages. Like that Charmin to Go idea... and just what marketer came up with that name!

Deb

 

[jenjie]

Comics? That's a great idea!

 

[Bunchkin]

Comics!! What a cool idea!!!!

Everyone has had such excellent ideas!!!
Great job by all on the care packages!!!

 

[KathiWithAnI]

Does anyone know if ALL, SOME or NONE of the camps have access to microwaves? I saw some neat things to send today, but don't think they'd be too good if not heated...
So far I have:
playing cards
suntan lotion ( sweatproof according to the bottle)
pudding to go ( in the tubes)
a 'catch' type game
tylenol
advil
Halls fruit breezes throat lozenges
small packs of tissues
bubbles
Easter shaped sweet tarts
mini tootsie pops
chapstick ( this was on sale, so I bought about 5!)
small crossword/seek-n-find word games book
letter from my oldest ( he's 10)

want to get drink mixes, but the 4 kids were bugging me, so I'll finish shopping tomorrow! LOL

Also thought I'd include a picture of my 4 kids as a sample of the lives they are protecting here!! ( good or bad idea??)

Kathi

 

[jenjie]

I think it's a great idea to send a picture of your kids! You could also have them draw a picture for your soldier.

Not all have microwave facilities. My soldier is flying an Apache helicopter. Her mom said she doesn't have any kind of access to anything using heat, such as microwave, hot plate or anything like that.