Care Packages

Comment

Comment by fishdad on October 14, 2011 at 10:14am

And one more thing, in the box on the Customs Form that you fill out when the package is undeliverable (this does happen for various reasons), we usually put CHAPLAIN and the address that the box is being mailed to. The Chaplains will then get the contents to someone in need. If you decide to have the box mailed back to you, you may be liable for the postage to do so. We mailed a box out to a soldier for Valentines day and received it back 9 months later. It was quite the mess. Thankfully, this was the only time it has happened.

Comment by fishdad on October 14, 2011 at 10:09am

That's a good point Paul. Brandon, you'll want to go to the Post Office and pick up a stack of Customs forms and fill them out before you go to the post office. Our post office also likes us to have the address and return address printed on the actual box as well. And if we have more than a few boxes (over 5), I always call and schedule a time to take them in for mailing. Most Post Offices only have one person working the counter these days and if you walk in with 50 boxes it really makes for a difficult day for them, as well as everyone in line behind you. =)

Comment by Cora on October 14, 2011 at 9:12am

I just heard back from Sgt Sidney Thompson..here is his note to me:

Hi Cora,

There are over 800 Marines with 1st Marine 25th Battalion here in Afghanistan. We have taken up the Base Defense Operations for all of Helmond Province. Baby whipes, power bars, slim jims, gatorade drink mixes, and anything else that comes to mind woukd be appreciated. The Chaplain would also be able to help deliver goods to the Marines on different forward operating bases. Thank you and God Bless you all!
Sid

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on October 14, 2011 at 8:07am

remember you'll need to fill out a customs form....click here for info and look above for a template for a ND sticker you can add to your boxes

Comment by Anthony M. Collins Sr. on October 14, 2011 at 8:02am

And dryer sheets (Bounce orCling Free). They can't seem to get enough of 'em. Must be pretty smelly there.  =)

Comment by fishdad on October 14, 2011 at 8:00am

P.s. In the winter we add hats, scarves, gloves and hand and foot warmers to the list

Comment by fishdad on October 14, 2011 at 7:59am

Brandon,

We head up a Military Ministry and mail out hundreds of boxes a year. Our son, a Sailor who is home on leave right now, actually helped us pack up and mail 15 boxes this week went over our list of things that we usually mail and 'tweeked' it for us. Here are the things that we're always collecting:

Socks - Black, White, Olive Green (Cotton or Wool)

Air Fresherners (Stand alone - No plug in)

Febreeze Spray (Non aerosole)

Baby Wipes

Liquid Hand Sanitizer 

Hand Lotion

Carmex / Chapstick

Eye Drops

Tylenol / Aspirin Packets

Vitamins

Energy Bars

Foot Powder

Beef Jerky ( A big favorite)

Pumpkin / Sunflower Seeds

Granola, Trail Mix, Dried Fruit

Tuna (In foil pouches)

Cereal (Small boxes)

Pretzels, Cheeseballs, Chips (Small bags)

Pudding Cups & Fruit Cups

Microwave popcorn

'Just add water' microwavable meals / snacks

Ramen 

Fruit gummies / Roll-ups

Hard candies / Gum

Drink mixes (to add to bottled water, the small individual size)

Travel size games, Playing cards

Sudoku, Crossword, Search-a-Word books

Small books / Bibles

Stationery / Envelopes

Pens / Mechanical Pencils

DVD's (Recent or Classic, New or Used)

PS2, xBox Games (New or Used)

iTunes Gift Cards

Phone Cards

Nerf Footballs / Games

 

We get our APO/FPO boxes mailed to us directly from the Post Office. We get them in packages of 25. They are free. You only have to set up an account online and they deliver them right to your door. If you're going to use these, make sure you pack them full. There is no additional charge for heavier boxes. It's the same price regardless of what it weighs. 

And we have found that the 'usual' mailing times are about a week to 10 days for Iraq/Afghanistan, and up to 2 Months for Japan/Korea.

They do make an effort to get the things moved more quickly when it gets closer to the holidays (at least that's how it seems)

Good luck & God bless you for what you're doing. 

Robin

P.s. I'd also encourage you to include a personal note in the boxes. They love to get notes from home and I cannot tell you how it feels when you receive notes back from them (it's like Christmas!)

Comment by Cora on October 14, 2011 at 5:14am

Bagged Peanuts, pepperoni sticks, Gum variety flavors, beef jerky, freeze dried bananas, pineapple, nuts, popcorn etc

Comment by brandon clark on October 14, 2011 at 1:39am

so i have recently adopted a marine platoon stationed on the uss mesa verde was wondeg if you had any ideas of things to send in care packages

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on October 13, 2011 at 1:52pm

Cora...what is the most requested items for this unit if you know?  I can hazard a guess, but Tucson is a loooong way from Afghanistan for sure and I would hate to send something that would end up being totally useless!!!

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