How to Write to US Soldiers in Iraq

There are many ways to support U.S. Soldiers in Iraq, through cards, letters, care packages, and other programs. Whether you'd like to write a letter, make a tax-deductible donation, or send a care package, there is a program out there designed to help connect you to our troops.

Things You'll Need

• Access to the Internet
• Cards
• Paper and pen

Instructions

How to Write to US Soldiers in Iraq

1. Send letters and/or care packages directly to a soldier by selecting a name from a running list on the AnySoldier website. AnySoldier started in 2003 as a family's efforts to help their son, and has now served nearly 1,500,000 troops serving around the world.

2. Participate in The Care Package Project with a hand-written card or letter to a United States Marine. The Care Package Project's mission is to provide "a place to connect and share" for Marines and their families.

   Letters and cards should be addressed to "Dear Marine," and should not be sealed in individual envelopes. Send hand-written, personalized letters and cards to:
   MarineParents.com, Inc.
   PO Box 1115
   Columbia, MO 65205-1115

3. Join one of the many seasonal or year-round programs designed by Give2TheTroops.org. Seasonal programs include sending such items as heart-warming Valentine's gifts for the Warm A Troop's Heart Drive, Easter and Passover cards and candy for the Send 'Em Some Spring Drive, Mother's Day cards, non-chocolate candy, and pre-paid international phone cards for Mail 'Em Mother's Day Drive, among many others. Year-round programs include "Let the Games Begin," which collects games and sporting equipment, and "Cater to Our Canines" for the many military K-9 units stationed overseas.

   Donations can be made through the Give2TheTroops.org website, or by following their packing and shipping instructions and mailing items and letters to:
   ATTN: Andi Grant, President
   196 West Street
   Rocky Hill, CT 06067

4. Adopt a U.S. Soldier through adtoptaussoldier.org. Adopt A US Soldier is a not-for-profit organization started by a soldier's mom who simply asked her friends to help support her son's company stationed in Iraq.

   Once you register to adopt a soldier and your registration is validated, you will be assigned a soldier and sent his or her information. You can adopt more than one soldier, though priority is given to those still waiting to adopt their first soldier. As soon as you receive your soldier's information, remember to check out the site's information on prohibited items, package size restrictions, and the proper way to address a letter or package to your soldier.

5. Sponsor a WWP Pack through the Wounded Warrior Project's backpack program. Through a $99 donation to WWP, one backpack will be filled with comfort and care items designed to make a severely wounded soldier's hospital stay more comfortable upon arrival at a military trauma center.

   You can also donate just $5 to the Wounded Warrior Program by texting WWP to 90999 from your cell phone.

   The mission of the WWP is to "honor and empower wounded warriors," as well as to "raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women."

   The WWP is a Better Business Bureau-accredited charity program and all donations are tax-deductible.

Tips & Warnings

• Before sending care packages, be sure to read the website's links on what to send and what NOT to send.

• Cards and letters sent for specific holidays should be mailed to support programs at least 60 days in advance to be passed on to soldiers in time for those holidays.

• Make sure to check each site's Packing and Shipping Instructions before sending letters and care packages.

• According to The Care Package Project.com, some Marines may receive cards and letters while stationed in a combat zone, and therefore may not have an opportunity to respond personally to supportive and caring letter writers.

References

• AnySoldier.com
• The Care Package Project
• Give 2 The Troops

Resources

• Adopt A U.S. Soldier
• Wounded Warriors Backpack Project