Where can I get a list of what our service people need in the middle east?

[Soupermom]

I have two co-workers who have sons stationed in the middle east; one in Afganistan, one in Qatar. I would like to make a care package for each of them for Christmas in liu of gifts for my friends. Is there somewhere I can find of list of what our service people need the most? I know gum and beef sticks are popular, but what else?

Thanks!

 

[Poohbear5]

We just sent a Christmas package to a friend in Aghnistan. He has his laptop with him so we bought a few tv series DVDs. We put in homeade cookies (his request) but I was skeptical about them still being good by the time he got them so I put in store bought treats as well. We included some individually packaged snacks, such as m&m's and almonds, a few Christmas decorations for his wall (has very little storage space).

 

[cari12]

My BIL was in Afganistan last year and he really treasured peanut butter and Cheeze Wiz. He loves those and can't get them there.

 

[mom2val]

My bff's dh is in the Air Force reserves and has been sent to Afganistan 8 times. He's headed back for 4 months this February. I remember last time over he had her send heavy duty plastic clothing hangers. He said their coats were so heavy they bent the regular hangers. She went and bought over a 100 of them and sent them with a buddy of his that was heading over. I was just shocked that they would need something so basic.

 

[andycat]

You might check out this site: www.anysoldier.com. While their focus is on service personnel who don't receive anything from family, their list of what's needed should apply to anyone. And if you're interested in supporting our service personnel and weren't certain how, it's a great place to start.

Please keep this caveat from their home page in mind, though: "PLEASE read the entire web site before you send anything, then start small."

 

[marie1203]

My DH has been deployed three times. I know the biggest hits are movies or tv series they get passed around for everyone to watch. Magazines, books are also great. Baby wipes and little hand wipes.

 

[MinnieForMe]

I just sent a package to my friend's husband and he requested any type of powered drink to add to the terrible tasting water there. Our Walgreens had the individual packages of LemonAide at 75% off but I also got him Gatoraide packets.

He also requested the bodywash that is 3 in 1 (bodywash, shampoo, conditioner).

I put in hard candies, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant and beef jerky.

 

[JB2K]

Is there somewhere I can find of list of what our service people need the most? I know gum and beef sticks are popular, but what else?

Exchange Gift Cards - they are super-easy to send, and servicemembers can use them to buy a variety of necessities at their local Exchange store overseas (and at home, too!).

Plus, under this program (which has been in place for several years), the gift-giver does not have to be military to purchase them...

For those of you contemplating sending a traditional "care package" though the U.S. Mail, time is running-out...

 

[Cinderelly5507]

My DD's preschool is collecting "Supplies for Soldiers" and have requested: movies, chapstick, beef jerky, decks of cards, brown or black socks, books, and nonperishable food items... HTH!

 

[bdcp]

Our office is doing this and the list they posted had lots of items on it. Toiletries (toothpaste, lotions, basic first aid items), snacks, playing cards, candy (chocolate might melt), toilet paper, lots of basic items. I've seen baby wipes on lists because the sand gets everywhere and some are deployed in places where they rarely can shower.

The main thing to remember is NO PORK PRODUCTS. Beef jerky was on the list, but obviously SPAM is out. This bothers me, but I'm not even going to get into that issue here.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

If these guys are from the area where you live (or I guess not too), local sorts of products are nice signs from home. If there's a local coffee place you can pick up a pound or two or restaurant with a special BBQ sauce or local favorite candies, all good bet.

You may want to check with the coworkers, too, exactly what sort of place they are stationed at. The friends I've had over have been in Iraq (and so may be different situation in Qatar or Afghanistan), but about half of them were at established-enough bases that they had a full BX (store) set up there. Sending personal care items (unless there is a particular favorite brand not sold there) was unnecessary.

FYI too, there are flat rate Priority Mail boxes for military addresses (eg APO and FPOs.) They are a little bit less than the regular flat rate boxes and good if you have alot of heavier items in it.

 

[pinkxray]

DH was in the service a few years ago and when he was in Afganistan he would always ask me to send powered Gatorade, powerbars, and SOCKS.

Last month DDs school was collecting stuff to send over to the troops so DH went to walmart and brought about $80 worth of socks to send over. He also got baby wipes, powered drink mixes and baby powder.

He said that getting new socks was always

 

[amy-momofthree]

My brother was overseas many times and here is a list of what he always requested:

Hot sauce! The food apparently tastes bad and hot sauce helps make it edible

Protein bars
Individual drink mix (for water bottles)
Chap stick
Gold bond powder
Baby wipes
Magazines
Large tubs of candy to share
Licorice
Beef jerky
Microwave popcorn
And handmade cards or letters were always appreciated

 

[jsmith]

i send on average three packages a month to APO's (husband, brother in law, many friends). Homemade things that ship well-carefully packaged do get there-generally unless they are very remote you are looking at 7 to 10 days-and are very much appreciated. If you are sending to a service member you know rather than an anysoldier type situation send things personal to that individual-the home town news, treats you know they like,home made things. Skip the toiletries, cards and socks-heres why-the very very generous people like your office mates and elementary schools do a superb job of that and there is usually plenty to go around. The exception would be if your soldier is female-femimine hygine products are at a premium-while it seems an odd gift-they are needed. Also-if you are supporting a married service member who has left family behind one of the greatest gifts you can give is to help the left behind spouse with things like lawn work, snow shoveling and even child care so they can christmas shop and such.
Thank you for supporting our deployed troops-we-their families appreciate it tremndously.

 

[CinRell]

Here's a simple way to give something very useful...

http://www.alpacaowners.com/sockbrigade/index.asp

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks everyone for your help. I know one of the two boys (men) is in a very remote area so I doubt this has anywhere to buy anything! Your suggestions were great!

 

[bdcp]

Okay, when I said the list from work, it wasn't just random. An individual (several actually are) is deployed to Afghanistan and these are the items they specifically asked for. They can always use toiletries as it's LESS they have to buy themselves. Doesn't matter what's available in the base exchange, it's money they don't have to spend. My DH is a US Navy Captain so I don't speak from lack of experience either. Don't believe there's something they don't "need". They even had tissues and feminine hygiene products on the list compiled by this individual in uniform. I work with a lot of military and no one has said, "don't send that..."

It's really not about what they can and can't buy, it's about providing items from home. They also can't get a lot of the items at all on the list. The ones at most need are the ones out in remote areas, but anything from home is very welcome, even if it's something they can buy themselves.