Hi, our girl scout troop of 8-9 year olds would like to put some boxes together of goodies for our soldiers overseas. We already have lots of gs cookies that we'll be sending, but still want to know:
1. More ideas for what the soldiers really would want?
2. Where do we ship? Or how can we find out?
We plan to do this next week if we can get all the information we need by then.
You guys are awesome! I'm getting so excited and I know our girls will be too!!! Please keep the ideas and information coming.
Southlake Public Library in basement of town hall at Southlake Town Square has stack of flat-rate boxes with addresses and suggestions of things to send- and some things NOT to pack. Good luck'
I'm a Soldier who has deployed overseas.
1. Soldiers want things that remind them of home. My very favorite things were: A soft throw blanket made of fleece. Red Velvet Twinkies. And entire Sunday newspaper with all the inserts and advertisements. Hawaiian Punch pouches for water bottles (the Crystal Light ones are nice too). Classic DVD movies...family movies that don't have anything to do with war...like "The Princess Bride" or Clint Eastwood and John Wayne flicks.
2. I advise that you go to anysoldier.com. They can connect you to Soldiers and units overseas who would like care packages. Just be aware, they ask you for some information before giving you addresses and contacts so our Soldiers stay protected from those who might blackmail or hurt them. Anysoldier has been around for quite a while and they do a great job.
Do go to soldier.com. You can choose your soldier and send him/her something for the squadron as they share almost everything they get. Also include some plastic storage bags because the sand gets into everything. Personal wipes, bandaids, tweezers, aspirin/tylenol, eye drops, toothbrush/paste (travel sizes for these) are good to add. Card games, puzzles, writing paper and envelopes are always welcomed.
Thanks to your troop.
The other S.
SKIN SO SOFT!! My brother did three tours and they have a ton of sand fleas and for some reason they wouldn't touch the soldiers wearing skin so soft. My mom even found an avon rep that donated a case to her to send! Also fruit cups my brothers unit loved these! It's very kind of you to teach these young ladies about appreciating our soldiers and generosity. Thank you!
You can send your donations, to Soldiers' Angels. They are in San Antonio. They would LOVE a bunch of girl scout cookies for their shipments. Also all donations are tax deductible.
http://soldiersangels.org/donate.html
Ship (with a note inside each box that contains your name, address, phone number, and an itemized list of contents with estimated value) to:
Soldiers' Angels
4408 N PanAm Exprwy
San Antonio, TX 78218
Here are some care package ideas. The only limitations are no pork and no alcohol - so no mouthwash unless its listerine zero.
http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=donating-items
In addition to the great suggestions below you could also try your local chapter of Military Moms. Awesome that you are doing this!!!
i heard batteries are always needed
we have used www.anysolder.com for years. I love it because soldiers write in and list what is needed and you can pick those that would fit best with your GS troop.
Hi! GREAT IDEA!!
My mom heads something in our area called PROJECT HOMES.
If you want, PM me your email and I'll send you the information for that. It's got a list of ideas for soldiers and all included.
Do you live near a base? They can get your names and addresses of soldiers overseas. If not, I can get some additional addresses from my mom as well. She does this as a service learning project with her college students and so many local businesses chip in - it's amazing! Last term they shippover over 700 boxes and it was the first time!!
I sent a care package to Iraq years ago and it had items for both the men and women. I put in lip balm (very much needed in the desert), foot powder, scented soaps for the females (since they don't get to feel girly often), beef jerky, slim jims, travel size shampoo and conditioner, and sunblock.
Great idea for the girls to do this!!!!
What a wonderful thing to do!
There is a wish list of things that most soldiers overseas want/need at the Yellow Ribbon Support Group site http://www.yellowribbonsg.org/WishList.html
I will caution against sending one thing though. Do not send chocolate, with the only exception being powdered. When my husband was overseas several of us wives sent care packages on a regular basis. Every single time someone sent any chocolate, the guys who ate it got sick. We never could figure out why, but we certainly learned to not send it!
I have heard great things about anysoldier.com, so I recommend using them. Also, you can contact your local VFW. Many times they help get people in touch with trusted organizations to send care packages.
