I signed up!

[Mickey'sMainMami]

I signed up yesterday to be a soldier's angel! I just got my soldier. I looked every where on their website to find out what all the letters and numbers stand for, and which branch of the military he is in, but can't find it. Anyone know where I can find what the abbreviation's mean? I think they should tell you all that stuff when you get your soldier. Anyway, any info would be great!!

 

[LaraK]

Not sure about the abbreviations, but we adopted a soldier with Soldier's Angels and it was a great experience. We ended up sending stuff to the whole unit...we got as much (if not more) out of it as he did.

 

[JessicaR]

Is there a link? Thanks!
Found it

http://www.soldiersangels.com/

 

[Christopher Robin]

I signed up yesterday to be a soldier's angel! I just got my soldier. I looked every where on their website to find out what all the letters and numbers stand for, and which branch of the military he is in, but can't find it. Anyone know where I can find what the abbreviation's mean? I think they should tell you all that stuff when you get your soldier. Anyway, any info would be great!!

I was an 11B204Ayy with a secondary of 71L (my profile went from picket fence to 113111) assigned to HSC USAITC S1.

Maybe I can help translate from Military to Civilian for you.

 

[JessicaR]

These may help with abbreviations.
Thanks so much for posting this my family is going to do this too!



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_enlisted_rank_insignia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps_enlisted_rank_insignia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy_enlisted_rate_insignia

 

[budbeerlady]

Congrats on signing up! I just sent my first package this week, I think this is a great idea!

 

[connorlevismom]

I really want to sign up but for some reason am scared. I think I am afraid that I will not be able to do my part. It asks for one letter a week but I don't know that I can do that. Is this something that is required or just a suggestion. I have no problem sending packages but just don't know that I will be able to write a letter every week.

Kristine

 

[lovemygoofy]

I really want to sign up but for some reason am scared. I think I am afraid that I will not be able to do my part. It asks for one letter a week but I don't know that I can do that. Is this something that is required or just a suggestion. I have no problem sending packages but just don't know that I will be able to write a letter every week.

Kristine

I have no idea what the soldier's angel thing says(I'm already a soldier's angel ) but I doubt that the website intent is to stress you out. I think it is for people that can make room in their busy lives to drop the soldier a card or letter or email or package on a semi regular basis. I don't even send my husband something every week.

What I recommend you doing is buying several of those 50 cent or dollar greeting cards and having them onhand and then before bed or in the morning quiet(if you have such a thing) drop a few lines in it and mail it out. That is what I do for my husband especially when I'm missing him.

There are so many soldiers and marines and airpeople that do not get support from their loved ones at home that they need to know that for a few minutes that day someone gave a damn enough to send a card or package.

Please don't think I'm trying to lecture you personally because I'm not at all. I just want to encourage everyone that is thinking about it but still has hesitation.

 

[Mickey'sMainMami]

It says to try and write a letter each week, but you could also just pick up a couple of cards, and write something short in it to them and send them in the place of the letters. So I will probably start writing one letter a week, then pick up a couple of thinking of you cards, or clip some cartoons out of the paper and attach them to a quick note. Anything, I think would be great to send. You can send them copies of newspapers clippings, like current events, magazines, books, with small notes attached.

It does say also to send at least 1 care package a month, I figured I would go to the $ store and get a bunch of shaving cream's, tooth brushes, toothpaste, floss, gum, candy, cookies, crackers and snacks, and then pick up a few other things that they have as perferred stuff like Folgers coffe, and green socks, military style. It won't be to bad, I think. Also, maybe sign up with a sister or brother, and split it in between you two, or get your parents and kids involved. I know my dad has always been into military stuff, so I am sure after reading some return letters, if they are able to get time to write, that he will write a few things, asking questions,etc... Or maybe talk to some co workers at your job and see if they want to help. Maybe email your department with a list of items, and then put a box at your desk and see if anyone will contribute with you. Ask some of your co-workers if they have kids and you don't if they wanted to get their kid's class to write your soldier letters. Just think 1 class with 20 students, that's 20 letters, you can send one each week, and as the soldier reply's you can send it in to the class to see. I think it's a great thing to do!!


Ok, here is my soldier's initials.

2-25 SBCT
C 1/27 IN
APO - I think this mean Air Force Post office doesn't it, because I think the Army's is FPO

 

[JessicaR]

I have no idea what the soldier's angel thing says(I'm already a soldier's angel ) but I doubt that the website intent is to stress you out. I think it is for people that can make room in their busy lives to drop the soldier a card or letter or email or package on a semi regular basis. I don't even send my husband something every week.

What I recommend you doing is buying several of those 50 cent or dollar greeting cards and having them onhand and then before bed or in the morning quiet(if you have such a thing) drop a few lines in it and mail it out. That is what I do for my husband especially when I'm missing him.

There are so many soldiers and marines and airpeople that do not get support from their loved ones at home that they need to know that for a few minutes that day someone gave a damn enough to send a card or package.

Please don't think I'm trying to lecture you personally because I'm not at all. I just want to encourage everyone that is thinking about it but still has hesitation.

I like the idea of the greeting cards, somthing funny maybe to lighten spirits. Can you please list a few things that they absolutely love to receive in packages? Thanks so much.

 

[connorlevismom]

I have no idea what the soldier's angel thing says(I'm already a soldier's angel ) but I doubt that the website intent is to stress you out. I think it is for people that can make room in their busy lives to drop the soldier a card or letter or email or package on a semi regular basis. I don't even send my husband something every week.

What I recommend you doing is buying several of those 50 cent or dollar greeting cards and having them onhand and then before bed or in the morning quiet(if you have such a thing) drop a few lines in it and mail it out. That is what I do for my husband especially when I'm missing him.

There are so many soldiers and marines and airpeople that do not get support from their loved ones at home that they need to know that for a few minutes that day someone gave a damn enough to send a card or package.

Please don't think I'm trying to lecture you personally because I'm not at all. I just want to encourage everyone that is thinking about it but still has hesitation.

Well, that makes way more sense. Here i am thinking about sitting down and writing a long letter to someone and it did kind of stress me a bit. But I can definately send a card a week!!!

I am off to sign up...................

Kristine

 

[LaraK]

We used to send lots of DVDs, new books by popular authors, hand held games (dominos and such), Lots of candy, munchies, gum, socks, in fact, we used loose candy as filler. We did NOT send chocolate...we were warned that it would melt.

The website had a lot of suggestions as I recall.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Suggestions for Goody Boxes

Things not allowed: alcohol, pornography, and pork products(but I do send things that have pork in them);

Food/Snack Items
Beef/turkey jerky
Ham, chicken or tuna salad lunch kits (includes the can of meat, crackers, mayo, relish, and little spoon)
Cans/sealed packages of chicken, ham, or tuna in a bag (little packets of mayo can be found at gas stations to send along)
Crackers including soda, salad, and Ritz
“Baby” canned hams
Small summer sausage
Pasta buckets
Cans of soup with pop tops
Tabasco sauce or bbq sauce
Hard candy
Little Debbie snacks
Cans of chips such as Torengos or Pringles
Plastic bowls or cans of dips including salsa, cheese dip, and bean dip
Granola/cereal bars
Lunch box sized packets of cookies, cheese nips, cheese &cracker/breadsticks
Good coffee or cocoa
Juice boxes off the shelf not the cold section
Pre-sweetened drink mix like kool-aid, tea, lemonade, or Gatorade

General Items
Boxes of holiday greeting cards unsigned
Envelopes, paper, and pens
DVD’s—blank and with programs
Cd’s—blank and recorded
AA batteries
Int’l phone cards (best found at post office)
Magazines and local news papers
Disposable cameras if applicable
White athletic socks
Good toilet paper
Deck of cards
Handheld/travel size games
Frisbees
Athletic equipment like basketball, football, and soccer
Board games
Books/books on cd

“Theme Boxes”
Holiday boxes including funny or cute decorations
Stocking filled in a box
Coffee/cocoa box (include things like biscotti, cookies, or flavorings with the coffee)
Birthday box
Movie night box (sweets, a dvd movie, microwave popcorn and whatever else sounds good)



I suggest putting each group of stuff in ziploc bags. Example: all oatmeal cream pies in a bag, all razors in a bag, all gum in a bag. You have no idea what can explode or melt before it gets there. Also, they can use the bags to hold their personal stuff to keep the sand out. My husband LOVES tins and ziploc bags for his personal stuff and the stuff in his office.

This is a great time to send chocolate. Usually from Nov to March/April is fine for chocolate and homemade goodies.

ETA: you can order a military package kit from the usps.com It comes with flat rate boxes, tape, custom forms and address labels. The flat rate boxes are your friend. You can stuff a flat rate box up to 25 lbs and send it for 8.95 but it has to retain it's original shape, sometimes that's the tricky part.

 

[JessicaR]

We used to send lots of DVDs, new books by popular authors, hand held games (dominos and such), Lots of candy, munchies, gum, socks, in fact, we used loose candy as filler. We did NOT send chocolate...we were warned that it would melt.

The website had a lot of suggestions as I recall.

Another great idea, using the candy as filler. We are all readers so I have many new books. I printed out the suggestions from the website for packages. I figured since lovemygoofy is up close and personal she may have some added suggestions.

What type of candy doesnt melt? I keep thinking skittles and starbursts but I bet they could melt, no?

 

[connorlevismom]

YEAH I signed up!!!!

I cannot wait to get approved!

Kristine

 

[LaraK]

For filler we used pepperment candies, bubble gum and another hard candy, the name is escaping me.

ETA...Jolly Ranchers....that was the other candy

 

[JessicaR]

Thanks for the great ideas! How long does it typically take to get a package there?

 

[budbeerlady]

For filler we used pepperment candies, bubble gum and another hard candy, the name is escaping me.

ETA...Jolly Ranchers....that was the other candy

That is a great idea, I will do that for my next box!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Thanks for the great ideas! How long does it typically take to get a package there?

I would say it's about 2 weeks but it also depends on where the soldier is located and how often mail is delivered to him. My husband is in a very remote location with a hot meal delivered everyday and mail delivered every four days. When he was at a large popular base camp mail was getting there in about 7-10 days. It's quicker to mail him a box then mail a letter to CA.

 

[Tantor]

What a wonderful idea.

Does anyone know if it is done for the Canadian soldiers in Afganistan??