Posted on 08/29/2005 10:12:28 AM PDT by Jaysin
Hey Freepers:
I was wandering around aimlessly in one of those dollar stores yesterday when a great idea popped into my mind.
From my experience in Somalia and Haiti, I remember how valuable certain commodities were to me. So I just want to let any freeper that is involved in making a care package for troops of some very inexpensive ($1) yet phenominal things that can help make a soldiers/marines day.
Please keep in mind that servicemen are very inventful and will use these kind of things in many different ways.
anything from the hardware aisle of a $ store is invaluable to a soldier: hammers nails, screws Screwdriver sets bungee cords grease guns electrical tape clips snaps padlocks wire wrenches box cutters door hinges scrapers (it might mean nothing to us, but a soldier in Iraq would make great use of a package of bungee cords--believe me)
other items that I saw that they'll put to good use q-tips pipe cleaners (for cleaning weapons) hankerchiefs foot powder clothespins (very important) sewing kits pots and pand and cooking utensils (they'll find some way to use them) scouring pads shower shoes towels batteries shaving needs WD-40 any kind of hooks, latches etc....
and if we have any dentists here: used dental tools are the BEST things a soldier can use to clean theri weapons (they get into nooks and crannies that military-issue stuff can't reach) my dental tools saved me many pushups from having an unclean weapon.
basically folks, the little things we take for granted here are invaluable to troops deployed that can't run to the store to get a bungee cord to make a door close in their makeshift barracks.
Think out of the box and think of for our brave troops
G-d bless America!!!!
Hey thanks! A very interesting list. I was about to send off a package to Frankie Mayo with phone cards. Maybe I'll go to the hardware store and purchase some of these items. Great suggestions!
With their canteens all set up now, I think these things would be appreciated more than candy although I still see the soldiers passing candy out to Iraqi children. Maybe both.
Speaking of dollar stores, The Dollar Tree stores (at least in my area) have lists posted of items that our soldiers need. You can purchase the items there and they collect and distribute them.
As for dental tools, could you be more specific? Are you referring to scalers? (i.e. the instruments for cleaning teeth.) I know lots of hobbyists that go to flea markets to buy old scalers or carving instruments for making scale models of things.
FYI:
http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aatroopmail.htm
EXCERPT:
The US Postal Service has announced that APO ZIP codes for US military units in Kuwait and countries near the Iraq war zone will be made available only to family members and close friends of deployed soldiers. Postal officials stated that the limitation had been imposed due to anthrax and other terrorist threats.
Programs that allowed the general public to send mail addressed to "Any Service Member" were cancelled more than a year ago. While these programs were popular with the public during Desert Storm and other operations, officials said security concerns and transportation constraints with military mail led to their cancellation. Web sites such as http://anyservicemember.navy.mil, and Army Knowledge Online email have been suggested as alternate means to contact soldiers.
I just emailed the Hu-friedy company, which is one of the biggest manufacturers of dental instruments. They are always running sales promotions where you turn in so many of your used scalers in exchange for new ones. I asked what they did with all those old scalers, and if there was any kind of program where they could be donated to the military.
You have to understand. Most dentists are cheap. Many dentists would rather send instruments out to get retipped, rather than buy new ones.
The USO has a program for those wishing to donate care packs to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. For a $25 donation the USO will send a pre-configured care pack containing a variety of items that the troops have expressed a desire to receive, including phone cards.
Go to http://www.uso.org/ to make a donation, I've sent about 15 this year.
Ping!
Thank you so much for posting this info. I have a list of things we sent to our son and his buddies when he was in Iraq, but you've added quite a few things that I hadn't even thought of. I appreciate it. chena
Thank you for your military service!! :) chena
Thanks Jaysin...
Just shipped off the usual, wipes, soap, gum, candy...never thought of these other items.
There is another site @ http://ccbp.vze.com that offers gifts and you can make a donation to any silly string for soldiers effort
If you have not heard about the silly string and how it is saving our boys and girls visit the site it explains ALL
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