If You're Debating Sending a CARE Package to a Soldier...

[TwinMom7]

I KNOW WHAT I'M GONNA DO.....

I'm going to print out all of these repsonses and mail them to him to read. Then he'll know what he can be expecting and the reason behind all of this generosity!!! I can just hear him now - "GEEZ MOM - what have you done?"

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Hope nobody minds my little idea:


I don't knw anyone deployed but I want to either help with sending a car package or maybe 2 or more people can join forces for a few(I can send items and my share of postage)

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

MOMTOMOOTOO:

What about asking if we can get a FEMALE'S address? Maybe it'll bring home that "Girls Can Do Anything".

Wonder about DH's Boy Scout Troop....hummm...

 

[Lynn CC]

I'll be making up several packages and sending them over to our troops as I did during the gulf war. I'll send lots of food and fun!

My 10th grade catechisism class is going to make some cards for them with some pictures of themselves to let them know how much we appreciate them!

 

[preshi]

Everytime I read on of these threads I cry...My mom and I are "adopting" some Marines since we have been fortunate enough that my brother gets to stay in the States.

I cant wait to go shopping and Marine MOms has some good packing tips

 

[cgcw]

Patty....the Marine's Mom website has a lot of good suggestions -- things I wouldn't have thought to include. I'll be going shopping this weekend -- it's going to make me feel good to help!

 

[Jeafl]

Patty, don't worry, I'm not sending a HUGE box. I just meant that all I have at home is a kid's shoe box, and I would rather have an adult size shoe box! Hmmm...this sounds like a perfect reason to buy some new shoes! LOL!

 

[4greatboys]

Jeafl--Im using my oldest ds shoe box--he wears a size 14 do you think thats to big?? lol Are you sending yours addresses to a particular person?? If so where did you get the name from? Just wondering since I saw the post they had to have a name on them.

 

[J&D]

Don't forget to send them a free phone card.

https://www.operationuplink.org/request.cfm

 

[ChiTownZee]

I was wondering, do they have stationary and stamps to write back if they want to? Would it be too presumptuous to send them those with the packages? I would love to hear back from them.

 

[ChiTownZee]

And how long does mail and packages usually take to reach them?

 

[nativetxn]

I'm off to read the suggestions on that site by MarineMom.

I think this is such a small thing to do for our young people putting themselves in harms way to protect us.

Bless them all.

Katholyn

 

[J&D]

ChiTownZee- I am planning on sending some stamps and envelopes with my packages.

During the Gulf War in 1991, my sister (Mrs. Grumpy) had a pen pal that was a female soldier. She wrote to my sister often about her experiences. This meant a lot to my sister, who was 13 at the time. They even kept in touch after the war was over.

 

[luv2nascar]

This has inspired me
I have a good friend who has a friend who left for Kuwait 1 week ago
I am going to ask her tomorrow if she has his address yet
I would love to send me a care package
I have already started scouring the house for items and will buy some more in the next few days
I have tp (squishing the roll flat), little packs of tissues, baby wipes, pop tarts, small packs of cookies, and ziplock gallon bags

 

[J&D]

Here is some info I read on another bb.

To those that are sending care packages to soldiers who have recently been deployed to Kuwait- they are only allowing packages that are around 13 oz or less to be shipped into Kuwait. Those packages that go over that weight limit supposedly end up in a holding area for some time. Just passing this along-don't know if the info is accurate.

 

[bobcat]

Is there a way to find out where your service member is stationed? I received two names from operation military pride and would like to know where they are so I can send those items that are most needed in their area.

http://www.operationmilitarypride.org/ This was posted on another thread and I received my names very quickly.

 

[Bunchkin]

I signed up on this site ADOPT A PLATOON. I can't wait to find out whom I get to send a package too!!
I'm so happy to help in any way I can.

 

[TwinMom7]

I can answer some of your questions:

1. Packages are taking about 3 weeks to get there. I've been shipping a box a week and every package has weighed 8-10 pounds, so I'm not sure about where the 13 oz. rule came from. We were never told anything about that. We were just told to make the box wasn't too big - it has to fit into a mail bag. I've been using the larger Priority Mail box available at the post office.

2. You will have to fill out a Customs Declaration form at the post office - so it will help if you make a list as you pack the box, and take the list with you to the post office.

3. The soldiers will not need stamps to write back to you. Our military gets free mail service on all letters they write home. The letters I've received have the word "FREE" written where the stamp goes.

Hopefully this will help some of you make up your mind as to what to send and how to send it.

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by TwinMom7
I can answer some of your questions:

1. Packages are taking about 3 weeks to get there. I've been shipping a box a week and every package has weighed 8-10 pounds, so I'm not sure about where the 13 oz. rule came from. We were never told anything about that. We were just told to make the box wasn't too big - it has to fit into a mail bag. I've been using the larger Priority Mail box available at the post office.

2. You will have to fill out a Customs Declaration form at the post office - so it will help if you make a list as you pack the box, and take the list with you to the post office.

3. The soldiers will not need stamps to write back to you. Our military gets free mail service on all letters they write home. The letters I've received have the word "FREE" written where the stamp goes.

Hopefully this will help some of you make up your mind as to what to send and how to send it.

1. The 13oz rule is for the Army folks (and probably many others) who just left this past weekend (Like my BIL from Ft Campbell). It will take some time for their mail system to be set up. Each unit/group ends up having their own "Zip Code" to go with the APO, most of the units that just deployed have not gotten their system set up yet and since storage is at a premium they request the family members only send letters to start.

3. Our military only gets free mail service when they are deployed in combat situations. Regularly stationed military still have to use stamps So, if you are sending a care package to someone deployed you don't have to send stamps but then again, they could send them home to a family member as a hint to write

Tori

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by J&D
Here is some info I read on another bb.

To those that are sending care packages to soldiers who have recently been deployed to Kuwait- they are only allowing packages that are around 13 oz or less to be shipped into Kuwait. Those packages that go over that weight limit supposedly end up in a holding area for some time. Just passing this along-don't know if the info is accurate.

It's accurate, there will be a lot of different "rules" depending on when and where people are deployed to. Those who have been there for a while (a few weeks, month or so) probably already have the mail system set up. Those just arriving have to wait until a system is in place. And while mail is important they are probably concentrating more on getting their equipment, setting up and settling in.

Tori