"I will be out looking for sales this weekend."
It might be a better idea to send used items. I read on another site that when a family receives brand new things they turn around and sell them in the market place. The soldier said they don't have to be new, just serviceable--wearable. I suggest just make sure they are clean and give them a good spray with lysol or some kind of germacide.
Well, that's kinda tough since I don't have any access to used kids shoes. :( Maybe I will check ebay.
Good idea. We answered the call last year and went to thrift stores like the Salvation Army, Deseret Industries, etc. Got kids' shoes for as low as $2 a pair. Got a few stuffed toys for 75c - $1.00. Probably the first decent thing some of these kids ever got.
The only downside was that a 20 pound package to an eastern APO address from Nevada ran $20. Too bad the P.O. doesn't have a "Humanitarian Rate".