How to Adopt a U.S. Soldier

Show your patriotism by adopting a soldier. Just don't send a flag.

Adopting a member of the U.S. armed services is a great way to show that you support our active soldiers. It will also give you a means of teaching your children how to give to others. You and your loved ones can write encouraging letters and ship care packages to soldiers' overseas locations. You can send emails to some members of the military. Your level of involvement is completely up to you. The people who serve our country are heroes. Make a difference by adopting a U.S. soldier.

Instructions

1. Visit a reputable website to sign up to adopt a soldier. There are at least two well-known websites: AdoptASoldier.org and AnySoldier.com. First you'll read the website's rules for participation. After you agree to the rules, create a user profile for yourself. Then follow the steps on the particular site to request a soldier. Keep in mind that some sites have a three to four day waiting period, whereas others will immediately send the name and overseas address to your email account.

2. Determine your level of involvement. You need to sit down and think about ways you want to give to the soldier you're assigned. Consider the following questions to weigh your ability to get started in this process: Are you only able to give time and encouraging words through hand-written letters and emails? Can you perhaps afford to send a small care package every month or two? Would you like to send a box of food and goodies for the soldier's birthday or near Christmas? Is this a project that you can get your church (or small group) to contribute to? Finally, can your children help you by writing and coloring cards and small posters to put in the boxes?

3. Determine what to put in your care packages. Consider including the following:
   - Personal hygiene products, especially lotions (because of the sand and heat),
   - Hard candy (not chocolate, which could melt during shipment),
   - A small, soft pillow that the recipient can pack up in her bag,
   - Single-serving tea and Crystal Light packets that can be added to water,
   - Popcorn (if your recipient's unit has a microwave, which is about 75 percent of the time),
   - Ramen noodles in individual Styrofoam or plastic bowls,
   - Spices and syrups to add to bland food for flavoring,
   - AA batteries and AAA batteries,
   - Brown socks (which blend with camouflage) If you know the recipient's size,
   - A camo-color disposable camera (available at big-box retail stores),
   - Writing paper, cards and envelopes so they can write to loved ones (don't worry about stamps; overseas members of the military get free postage), and
   - Plastic cutlery such as forks, spoons, and knives.

4. Pack your goodies, keeping in mind some helpful tips and important regulations: Mail your goodies in U.S. Postal Service flat rate boxes, which will cut down on shipping costs. Be aware what you can and cannot mail. Aerosol cans, living plants, weapons and many other items are not allowed. Do not send American flags or bulk quantities of Christian materials (items for personal use are OK). The website you register with has a page devoted to what you cannot send. Pack items as if they are going to be thrown around and slammed to the ground by customs -- because they probably will. If you send breakable items, double wrap them or surround them with packing materials.

5. Mail out your care packages. Make sure your care packages are correctly addressed to the right location and the right recipient. Ask a postal worker for guidance, at least your first time or until you're comfortable doing so without help.. Doing so will ensure that your packages are deliverable.

References

• Adopt a U.S. Soldier: Registratration Terms & Rules
• Any Soldier: Let's Get Started