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.
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.