How to Donate a Care Package for the Military
Donating a care package of necessities and treats is a time-honored way to support our troops. Over the years, the military has adopted guidelines for the donation process. Though the military and U.S. Post Office no longer accept care packages from individuals addressed to "Any Service Member" or "Any Wounded Solider" like they did in the past, there are plenty of nonprofit organizations that help facilitate the donation process.
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Instructions
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Preparing and Sending a Care Package
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Purchase items from a troop wish list, such as the list at Operation Mom. Wanted items can vary by season, but soldiers are usually looking for basics like socks, nonperishable snacks and lip balm as well as fun items like playing cards or DVDs.
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Choose a specific person to whom to address your care package. If you don't know any soldiers individually, consider finding one in need on AnySoldier.com, or identify a nonprofit organization that can donate a package for you. Find a nonprofit by browsing the list at Military.com, or search the online yellow pages for a group near your city.
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If sending the care package yourself, select a strong, sturdy box like a USPS Priority Mail flat-rate box. Make sure all donation items are nonperishable, tightly sealed and, if possible, commercially-made. Sending homemade goods to soldiers who are not friends or family is discouraged by the military.
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Pack like items together in the box. For instance, keep food separate from deodorant and toothpaste. If you have several different kinds of donations, use more than one box. Pack the donations securely. Fill empty space with packing material to keep items from moving around, and seal every opening with two-inch-wide packing tape.
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Clearly write your return address on the top left of one side of the package. On the bottom right of the same side, address the care package using a full name and rank (such as SSGT John Smith), unit, APO/FPO (Air/Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office) address and nine-digit area code, if available. Double-check to make sure the information is correct.
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Fill out a Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note, otherwise known as Form 2976-A, at the post office. At the post office counter, purchase postage, turn in your form and drop off your military care package.
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