How to Make Care Packages For Soldiers

Soldiers are grateful for any care packages

There's no better way to support our troops than to make care packages for soldiers. Sending care packages for troops takes a bit of research and some organization but can be a fun way to teach our children about the importance of supporting our soldiers. I've done the research for you so come along and get starting putting together your first military care package.

Instructions

1. 

   ~~Research items requested by our overseas soldiers~~

   Most soldiers overseas have a commissary. Think about the items available at your local 7-11; that's the kind of items most of our overseas troops can purchase. However, for those soldiers with no post exchange, they need everything (including fundamentals like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, etc).

   Depending on the soldier's location, they may or may not have a small refrigerator or cooking abilities so consider those limitations when deciding on items to purchase. Check with anysoldier.com for requested items.

   For generic items, magazine, playing cards, games and movies are always welcome as are most hygiene supplies (soaps, deodorant and individually wrapped baby wipes are high on the list).

2. ~~Organize your shopping list and go to your local general store~~

   Using coupons and shopping at lower cost stores will help you save money while supporting our troops. In addition to places like Walmart, you might check out prices at the local Costco, BJs or Sam's Club - you'll have to buy larger quantities but here's your chance to make more than one soldier happy.

   If you work in an office, label a box 'care package for soldiers' and place it in a spot where you might get donations to add to the package.

3. ~~Ready the care package for troops for shipping~~

   Pack a box with your donated items - make sure that the package is secure and nothing will shift around inside as no one likes cracker crumbs! Also, do NOT mix food and non-food items in the same package. Although you might think that food items are securely wrapped, you have to consider that the care package may take up to a month to reach the soldiers so scented soaps are going to be tainting the food included. For food items, consider securing their freshness by sealing with a vacuum sealer (see resource section for more information).

4. 

   ~~Address and ship your care package for soldiers~~

   If you choose to pick a soldier from anysoldier.com, address the package as follows:

   Soldier's name (or, you can use a generic 'Any male soldier' or 'Any female soldier')
   Attn: Any Soldier
   HHC, 123rd Grenade Repair Bn
   APO AE 09999

   The US post office offers a flat-rate box for $10.95 for shipping to military personnel. You can pack your military care package up to 20 lbs for that rate! That's a deal you can't pass up when shipping your care packages for soldiers.

Tips & Warnings

• Anysoldier.com is a wonderful site that was started by one man, Sergeant Brian Horn, to help those soldiers who didn't receive any mail. You can pick a soldier's name from the site and see a list of items that they'd like sent in a military care package.

• You might consider adopting a soldier and continuing to send them items in care packages which they request.

• Do not send food items which are not factory sealed if you do not personally know the soldier as soldiers are instructed to throw those delicious looking cookies in the trash. Sad, but true.

• Be aware of food customs in the country to which you're sending. For example, do not send pork products to Iraq.

Resources

• Use a vacuum sealer to seal items tight
• Additional miliary care package ideas