How to send a Care Package (vanity)

me | 6/17/2002 | myself

[Britton J Wingfield]

While I was packing for a recent exercise, I was thinking about what kind of things would be best to send in a care package. 99% of the packages my buddies and I have gotten over the years consist of cookies, brownies, and more cookies. Here are a few hints on what will really make life more bearable for your loved one overseas.

• Socks: Kids hate getting socks for presents, but I love getting these when I'm deployed. Ditto for underwear and t-shirts.
• Food: Everyone gets cookies and brownies, which is great, but real food is better:
  • gift sampler packages, like Pepperidge Farms type stuff
  • bricks of ramen noodles
  • beef jerky, summer sausage, etc.
  • energy bars. Cliff Bars are best, imho.
  • cracker, tricuits, etc
  • tobasco sauce, garlic salt, etc to put on your government issue food.
  • Peanut butter or cheese spread.
• Playing Cards: or board games like chess, risk, or battleship. Getting a nice crisp pack of cards to replace the frayed, floppy ones you've been using is wonderful.
• Tobacco: I don't use tobacco, but I always take some cans of copenhagen with me. These are worth their weight in gold when the addicts run out, heh.
• Crossword Puzzles: these are great while standing by to stand by
• Books: anything to read will be appreciated by your GI and his buddies
• Pens, Paper, Envelopes: Pens all get lost and stolen, and all of this can be hard to come by
• Drugs: I take plenty of motrin, allergy pills, immodium, gas pills, etc because just getting an aspirin can be a royal pain in the butt. Add antacid to that, as well. It all gets mooched or eaten eventually.
• Disposable Cameras are great, and you get to see the results when Johnny comes marching home.

Most of all, just ask what they would like to get.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Any additions to the list?

[Britton J Wingfield]

PING

[Non-Sequitur]

Just that if the game you send takes batteries then send lots of batteries with it.

[2banana]

Ummm - Any kind of magazine with naked female units in it?

[Cyber Liberty]

"Any additions to the list?"

Sure. For soldiers deployed in a desert, throw in a whole slew of doggie flea collars. They work well during Desert Storm at keeping sand fleas off when worn around the ankles.

[Mrs.Liberty]

Ping!

[strela]

Phone cards are a nice gift as well. They save having to reverse the charges on those calls from BFE.

[JRandomFreeper]

AA and AAA batteries.

/john

[strela]

Oh, and if you've got more than a couple of nickels to rub together, sending one of those personal DVD players and a few recent movies will make you a new best friend.

[another cricket]

Kool-aid, unsweetened usually. It will make the water bearable.

a.cricket

[Salgak]

Assuming they allow anonymous CARE packages this year: they didn't allow them last Christmas. . . which was a bummer: I've been sending them since DESERT STORM. . .

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

For packages to the troops... DO NOT SEND HOMEMADE FOOD!!! It will all be destroyed.

The troops have asked us for

Hard candy, hot sauce ,playing cards, video tapes, CDs, lotion, soap, shampoo, chapstick, pens, paper, batteries, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deoderant, Kool-Aid, socks, underwear, hats and gloves in the winter, books, magazines, and games that they can play onboard.

We just recently sent over 100s of foam ' Splat Balls'. You soak them in water and throw them at each other. They are like everlasting waterballoons. The troops on the USS Kennedy loved them.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Thanks for the ping.

[JRandomFreeper]

You need to see this.

/john

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Britton, great idea for a thread. Thank you for doing this. I am going to bookmark it.

We sent videos of action movies,and comedies.Paperbacks, magzines for motorcyclists, back road stuff we thought others might like. Lotion has been a biggie too.

You listed many of the things we send.

We sent small mirrors with plastic backs less breakable.Bags of licorice.Instant cappuccino packages they just have to add hot water.

Also we asked some local Sunday school classes of young children to color pictures for the troops and letters if they knew how write. We put an intro letter with them in the packages.

Thanks again so much for the thread.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I'll be adding a link to this thread here

[SolitaryMan]

During my second deployment to the Mediterranean Sea in a submarine, my (then still new) wife, sent me a care package containing some winter clothes, a new razor, a 12 pack of Pepsi and a very large tin of flavored popcorn. We received the mail during a small boat transfer from a Frigate in the middle of the Adriatic Sea. The box was too big to get through the hatch, we had to open it and send the contents down into the submarine individually. Great fun.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Active duty FReeper Britton J Wingfield posted this thread
to answer questions on what items to send to our military.

Some snail mail addresses for active duty military are located here:

[MeekOneGOP]

bump!

[Britton J Wingfield]

Actually, I'm a reservist now.

[JustAmy]

This is a great thread and I will bookmark it for future reference.

[RikaStrom]

I am guessing that we can't do anonymous packages, so do we pick a soldier or a unit from the Post Office?

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"I am guessing that we can't do anonymous packages, so do we pick a soldier or a unit from the Post Office?"

Yes, I'll be adding new names on a regular basis.
I'd suggest you send a letter 1st introducing yourself before you send an actual package.

[DontMessWithMyCountry]

Thanks for this link. I was fortunate enough to meet one of our Active Duty fellows (a USAF Staff Sgt) back in the fall. Talk about selfless: what he 'wanted' me to send him (he didn't actually ask, but it was quite apparent that's what would make him happy) was childrens' clothing -- so he could bring them to an orphanage in Korea. So, i did that (was a fun shopping spree, for sure, especially since i don't have any children). But, since it also happened to fall around Easter, it was only 'right' to send him a several-month supply of very fruity-flavored LifeSaver jelly-beans. Great timing, too: right after he had a bunch of dental work finished, haha!

Anyway, he was positively ecstatic when he got them; made him feel a bit 'heroic' on his next visit to the orphanage. Hey, he's already a hero to me (as are all of our U.S. military servicepeople, so why not let him feel like one ;-) God Bless him: he's home now with his family (just returned about 2 weeks ago), safe and sound!

[JustAmy]

After debating with myself, I decided on sending white athletic type socks. Which should we send? Athletic type socks or dress socks? So far, I have sent 21 pair in 3 packages and have another 3 pair to go. I will be making another Costco run in a week or two.

[AF_Blue]

Get the local business community involved. You'd be surprised at what (and how much) these will contribute.

Personal hygiene items: put together kits of travel- or sample-sized items for each sex. They will be used and appreciated because someone will forget to pack something, or they will run out before they have the chance to buy more. Nothing fancy: tube of toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, comb, brush, disposable razors, shaving cream, deodorant/anti-perspirant, foot powder, baby powder, aspirin/Tylenol, Band-Aids. Feminine hygiene products. Keep it simple (KIS).

Hit local Goodwill stores (or equivalent) for used paperbacks, puzzles, games, etc. I learned to play Magic: The Gathering on a deployment. These will probably be used in a common area or community tent. Someone, somewhere, will read that 25-cent book. Trust me. Remember that your GIs are intelligent, and they need to relax the brain as well as the body. Again, KIS.

NON-PERISHABLE commercial food items: As was previously posted, unfortunately home-made goodies sent to a generic Any Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine address are destroyed. Save those for the welcome home parties. Send containers of crackers, cookies, snack mixes, dry cereal (think Captain Crunch, not Total) that can be enjoyed straight from the box. Again, KIS

Send items that can be traded for other stuff. If you are in a military unit, or a family memeber, unit coins are worth their weight in gold at deployed locations. Buy a few, send them with/to your deployed military member. Again, KIS

Contact your local USO, or the Public Affairs office of the nearest military installation, especially if you know the units on base go to interesting places and meet interesting people. Ask their advice.

[Britton J Wingfield]

I'd go with black tube socks. Dickies work socks are very good and cheap. White ones are fine, though technically not uniform. Thanks for sending a GI some socks!

Somebody on here listed chapstick, which I forgot but is a big deal in the field. So is sun-screen.

[JRandomFreeper]

White ones are fine, though technically not uniform.

Correct on white not being uniform. Of course, I always forget on weigh-in day, and there I stand in white socks, taking heat from the first shirt. LOL!

/john

[summer]

bttt

[McLynnan]

Have any of you seen this website? It's full of practical info and useful ideas on military care packages Military Care Packages Ideas and Tips Specializing in Navy Deployments She has tips not only on food, but games, practical items, things children can send, romantic ideas, etc. It's really worth a look.

[Britton J Wingfield]

That is awesome! Thanks for the link :)

[McLynnan]

You are very welcome. That lady sure knows her care packages, doesn't she?

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Have any of you seen this website?"

I was just getting ready to update the USO Canteen Post Office.
I'll be linking this thread AND the site you found.
Thanks!

[McLynnan]

You're welcome. I wish I'd given it to you earlier. Kind of forgot I had it until you pinged me on this thread.

[hedgetrimmer]

Good Post! The USS McCampbell will be commissioned in August. The guys there could probably use some stuff to help send them on their way.

USS McCampbell (DDG 85)
FPO AP 96672-1275

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you so much for the link McLynnan!!

Hedgetrimmer, thank you for the information. I really appreciate it.

[senorita]

Thanks for the ping Amy!
I send anything that can be made with hot water, instant hot chocolate, cider, cup of noodles. Large bags of candy go over well, they really miss that stuff. Razors, athlete's foot powder, vitamins, envelopes, paper, magazines. Try to imagine being out camping for a long time and think of things you would want after just a few weeks!
Also, make a list as you pack everything, because you need to write down what is in the package on the customs label at the post office.

[JustAmy]

Thanks Senorita
You have listed a few things that I need to add to my packages. There are so many things that we could send if we just put our minds to it. Amy

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks Tonk.

[piasa]

give this a bump once in a wjile, will you?

[Squantos]

When I traveled I had a small leather folding box chess game about the size of my bible. It had/has a back gammom interior and a chess/checkers exterior. A cribbage board center section , standard decks of cards for poker , cribbage. chess & backgammon pieces, dice, harmonica, rubicks cube (the small one) a duncan yo-yo, .

Along with this I had a couple of the small folding compact "wing" style two line kites (drives security nuts at night with a chemlight or two attached :o), a frisbee, hacky sacks,nerf football and a small grundig compact "Short Wave" pocket radio with an earpiece.

I'll be putting a few of those togeather for sending this Christmas . That small individual kit was a don't leave home without it priority for my 26 year military career with stuff added as it came on the market like the compact rubiks cube monster.........

A new GI will "forget" or realize too late that such items as a sleeping bag liner made from a common bed sheet (queen size, dark color/pattern, high thread count (thank you martha stewart :o) as it will be hand washed a lot and air dried on a line ) and folded and sewn 3/4 of the way up makes that sleeping bag bearable after the many months of sleeping in it.

A couple of the small Photon III LED lights are also a godsend as they last forever and ride on your dog tag chain and will burn for 96 hours straight before a new battery is needed. I have carried em for years on lanyards and key chains and have yet to have to change a battery using them to find something in the dark. Photon even makes one for GI's now in a red stealth model......

Just some suggestions from me based on what I used, needed and enjoyed while in the deserts, jungles and woodlands of the world and those long rides to and from.

Stay Safe !

[Grampa Dave]

I will bump it.

I had some friends called up during Desert Storm, and chap stick/lip balm with sun block were gifts from heaven for them. One of our friends really had chapped lips, and we sent him a half dozen of the little blue jars of LIP MEDEX. He still thanks us years later. The lip stuff is relatively inexpensive and light in weight and fairly indestructible during the transit phase from you to them.

A friend of mine did a couple of tours in Nam. His parents and sisters sent him a sock and underwear package each week. They went to the exchange and bought a large supply of socks and underwear. They sent him an envelope with 7 pairs of socks and a set of underwear every week. He was the only Marine in his platoon that didn't get jock itch and foot rot. Foot powder is another great welcome gift.

If you are in the Navy and on a ship, you can buy these comfort things. However, books, magazines, games, crossword puzzles and even newspapers from home or the home state were like treasures.

[Britton J Wingfield]

That kite trick is pretty cool. I'm definitely going to try that.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Big thank you ping for the tips. (^:

[piasa]

Thanks, gramps!

Wonder if anyone has some care package stories for some strange or totally useless stuff they received...

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

From today's USO Canteen thread: (^:

Marine asking for some Morale Building

This is from SAMWolf to all of us.......

Our receptionist mentioned to me that a Marine friend of hers is in need of some morale building.

He's at Camp LeJeune right now waiting for a training deployment to a ship.

He's 29 has 2 daughters under age 3 and is missing his family.

I told her I'd pass his name and address onto the Canteen.

His current snail mail address is:

Cpl Berger, Charles W.
II MEF MARFOR UNITAS
RECON DET
Bldg 10, Wing 3
PSC 20164
Camp LeJeune, NC 28542-0164

His email is:

charlesberger@hotmail.com

Sounds like he could use some e-mails and maybe a care package.

13 posted on 6/18/02 7:36 AM Eastern by Snow Bunny

[Britton J Wingfield]

Similar list from another thread, but more urgent

Donation Information

Volunteer firefighters around the region are in need of supplies.

Items needed include:

chain saws

bar oil, two-cycle oil,

90-weight gear oil

chaps

21/2-gallon gas cans

chains, 18 and 20 inches

oil - 5W40, SAE30 and 15W40

washer fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid (type F and Dextron), antifreeze

money for gasoline

flat-head axes; metal garden rakes; long-handled, round-tipped shovels

soda pop, sausage sticks, beef jerky

electrical and duct tape

dish soap, laundry soap

binoculars

Gold Bond powder, hand lotion, Chapstick

bandannas, suspenders, underwear sizes 31-38, thick socks,

industrial work boots sizes 11-13 (no steel toes),

T-shirts, leather gloves

spray bottles, Windex, paper towels, tissue, bungee cords,

39- and 55-gallon trash bags, Ziploc bags

copy paper, copier,

HP 15 and 17 cartridges

Post-it notes, 81/2 x 11 legal pads, pens, clipboards

paper plates, napkins, cups, forks, knives and spoons.

safety glasses or goggles with NO VENTS (clear and sunglass lens)

floodlights 1,000 amps or greater

adhesive bandages (cloth, not plastic)

Items needed by the Salvation Army Food Wagon:

Plastic or foam cups, Aleve or ibuprofen (sealed/unopened), sponges, plastic knives, forks and

spoons, skinless chicken, hamburger patties, lunch meats, condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo), hamburger/hot dog buns, olive oil, grated cheese, canned vegetables and beans (larger cans are better), margarine, salt, "to go" boxes, eggs, potatoes, fruit, or

cash donations to Ute Pass Fire Relief Fund, 7855 Bluff Road, Cascade, CO 80809. For information, 684-9295.

Drop points:

Colorado Springs Fire Station 5, 29th Street and Colorado Avenue.

WalMart, 707 S. 8th Street, Colorado Springs

Java Junction, U.S. 24, Woodland Park

Woodland Park Volunteer Fire Department

(Northeast)

Divide Volunteer Fire Department

Lake George Volunteer Fire Department

4-Mile Volunteer Fire Department

[DemoSmear]

bump and thanks for the post!

[300winmag]

A couple of the small Photon III LED lights are also a godsend as they last forever and ride on your dog tag chain and will burn for 96 hours straight before a new battery is needed. I have carried em for years on lanyards and key chains and have yet to have to change a battery using them to find something in the dark. Photon even makes one for GI's now in a red stealth model......

Just an update, but they now make the Micro Photon, which has a computer chip in it. Press the front of the case for regular use. Press and hold the back of the case, and it cycles through three different intensities, and three kinds of strobe effects. It also has a collar around the side of the LED so it only lights up what's in front of you, and not everything to the sides. Colors include red, white, and colors compatible with NVGs.

[Squantos]

I believe the Photon III is the one with the chip as mine does as you stated. The "S" version is for stealth thus the ring to shield the view of the light from the side. They are awesome little point of use lights indeed !

Stay Safe !!!