care package help...

[Sarlon]

So for a Scavenger Hunt I'm in this year I have to build a care package for a solider overseas.

I've already found someone to send to, and have a few requests already...but beyond what I list....can anyone think of anything else? I do not know this solider persoonally, but hes from my state.

1. Socks (white or Black) 100% cotton
2. Nerf Football
3. non aerosol hygene products
4. playing cards
5. non chocolate salty snacks
6. Powdered drink mixes
7. ramen

[/LIST]

[Maria]

My brother is always asking for dried fruit, beef jerky, sudoku books, and his preferred brand/scent of deodorant and shaving cream. He also loves cookies and the bagged "gourmet" coffees that are available at any grocery store. I only send white or green socks; he can't wear black ones, but that likely depends on the branch of service. I only have the one experience to draw from.

[Kittish]

Do you know what part of the world the soldier is in? If it's someplace dry, hand and body lotion as well as lip balm might be well received. (Unless that's part of what you meant by hygiene products.)

Cookies!!!! Other baked treats that ship well. Even if he doesn't like them, his unit WILL.

[Sarlon]

I was also thinking of writing the unit a letter (NOT expecting a response, they have more important things to do) thanking them for their service

[Teefies2]

Are cigarettes allowed? Probably not, but I'm sure they would be appreciated.

How about a phone card, so they can call home/whoever.

[AnaKhouri]

I did GISHWHES the past couple years, this year I'm not signed up officially but I am helping my old team in an unofficial capacity (I have had a mascot painted on my stomach, built a Lego meal and am making a fancy birdhouse.)

Does the soldier like to read? I work at a bookstore and lots of soldiers came in before they were deployed to pick up books to keep them occupied.

[It shouldn't]

Daughter is in the service.
Been there, done that, have multiple 'Mom of a soldier' t-shirts.

all of the above, plus
Baby wipes
Trail mix
Protein bars
Odor eater foot powder

[cindybubbles]

How about:

- water purification tablets
- Photo album or digital picture frame loaded with important landmarks of your shared home state
- If you know his favourite team, send him some sports memorabilia of that team. Bonus points if you can get them autographed by his favourite players.
- Campbell's Soup, especially the Cream of Mushroom kind. But definitely also get some canned chicken soup for any cold.
- First aid supplies. You can never have enough of those.

[Seshat]

Find out where he's deployed, and get a helpful pharmacist to help you provide supplies.
Examples might be:

moleskin blister prevention stuff.
mosquito repellant.
lotions and lip balms if in a dry area.
Moisture barrier cream to protect skin from excess sweat if in a humid area.


If you know that he has 'net access and a book reader, find out if there're any online libraries to subscribe him to. Otherwise, any paper books you can afford to ship. Even if it's not his particular thing, someone in his squad will love it.

[Docmayhem]

toothbrushes - if he doesn't need them for his teeth, he needs them for his rifle
Lipton cup-a-soup packets
good instant coffee (especially the kind in pre-measured packets)
a picture of your smiling face with a note that wishes him well
bootlaces
hot sauce/ hot seasoning powder
a genuine or original (i.e. Wenger or Victorinox) swiss army knife (may be too expensive) or a leatherman-type multitool

[bhskittykatt]

Cookies!!!! Other baked treats that ship well. Even if he doesn't like them, his unit WILL.

Just make sure you keep in mind where he's deployed when choosing what types to bake. In some regions, chocolate melts. Sugar or shortbread cookies are usually a pretty safe bet.

[Kittish]

Just make sure you keep in mind where he's deployed when choosing what types to bake. In some regions, chocolate melts. Sugar or shortbread cookies are usually a pretty safe bet.

Chocolate chip works well too, and if past experience with a friend who is also deployed is any indication, they won't last long enough for melting to be a big problem.

[lachesis]

Books and magazines
Sunscreen (50+ spf)
Lip balm
Toothpaste
Inflatable beach toys
Inflatable kids pool
Squirt guns
Small toys to give to local children
Medical supplies like bandaids and such (the medic in his unit will be given a general kit, but supplies obviously run out quickly.)
Food that will keep
Pens pencils paper
The normal sized bottles and bars of hygeine supplies. No hotel or travel size! Put the things that have the potential to leak in heavy duty ziploc type bags.

Can't think of anything else, but there are a few former/current military folks on the boards, so hopefully they'll see this thread! Also, please remember that women are also members of our armed forces and they need stuff too! My auxiliary just sent out 26 boxes to a unit stationed in afghanistan.

Important to note: fill out the forms the post office gives you as completely as you can. If you intend a box to go to a specific person, then make sure his or her name is written on everything. Otherwise if it does somehow manage to get to its location, the unit considers "unmarked" boxes fair game. For the boxes my aux sent, we had a contact person at each base (one of the combat medics at the smaller base and a member's husband at the larger base) so the goods can be distributed evenly amongst everyone.

Thank you for doing this and let us know if you do get a response! Include your social network info because that might be easier for the soldier to get in touch with you rather than a letter.

[Sarlon]

I plan on doing a much bigger and more extensive box closer to christmas, so I'll keep all these items in mind. this batch was limited due to personal budget constraints.

I won't be sending to the same unit closer to christmas simply because the info I got for the gentleman i sent this box to is due to be restationed (if thats the right word), in VERY early december.

[wolfie]

Can you get in touch with the "home base" of the soldier's unit? They'd know what items would be highly desirable, what would be inappropriate (e.g. insect repellent for someone serving in the Antarctic), and what would be considered contraband.