Putting a care package together for a service member is another way to let them know we are supporting them. Here are some general guidelines and suggestions.
General Guidelines
- Pocket Size, Travel Size - These are ideal to send. The service members have to pack these items around with them, and if he/she is in a unit that may be mobilized, they're going to travel light.
- Sending Cameras - Send disposable cameras only.
- Time To Arrive - 3 to 4 weeks. Smaller boxes arrive more quickly. Large or heavy boxes can be delayed.
- Problem Items - Hand Sanitizer (may be removed due to alcohol content). Beef Jerky (must be USDA Beef), Batteries AA/AAA/C (must be in original package), Shaving Cream (must be non -aresol ), No Fresh Fruit, No flea collars. Pork - Do not send Pork of any kind.
- Packing Tips - Use plenty of zip-lock type baggies to separate the items you are mailing in the same package. If an item you are sending breaks open, the zip-lock will help protect the rest of the contents of your care package. Pack all powders and liquids separately in your care package in zip-lock type storage bags. The soldiers are able to reuse the zip-lock baggies for other uses.
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Communication Items
- Envelopes, paper, pens
- Small pads of paper
- Pre-addressed labels and/or envelopes
- Notebooks (a size they can keep in a pocket & keep dry)
- Single use disposable cameras
- Photos from home
- Post Cards
- Blank Holiday Cards
- Stamps ( to mail large envelops/packages home)
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Toiletries
Please choose items without scent if possible.
- Baby/Cleansing wipes
- Toothpaste/Toothbrushes/floss
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Deoderant (non-aresol)
- Lotion (non scented/small sizes)
- Soap, Anti-bacterial soap
- Shaving Cream (non-aresol)
- Disposable Rasors
- Toilet Paper, Kleenex (travel size packets)
- Eyeglass wipes
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Personal Care Items
- Sunblock, Aloe Vera
- Throat Lozenges, Cough Drops
- Gum , lifesavers, mints
- Eye Drops
- Blistex, Chapstick, Vasoline, Carmex
- Aspirin, Motrin, Tylenol, Pain Relievers
- Saline drops for nasal passages
- Q-tips
- Femine hygiene products for Military women
- Jock itch spray
- Boot liners/insoles, moleskin
- Lotrimin AF for Athlete's foot
- Foot Powder, Shower-to-Shower Powder
- Laundry Soap (tablets)
- Band Aids
- Deet Insect Spray (non-aresol)
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Other Supplies
- Batteries (AA/AAA/C) - Must be in Original package
- Duct Tape: Military green, tan, black and grey
- Super Glue
- Pipe Cleaners
- Electrical Tape
- Flashlight w/ red lens
- 1 and 2 gallon zip-lock baggies
- Bungee cords
- Paperback books and magazines (no pornography)
- Socks, underwear and T-Shirts
- Green boot socks
- Clothes for the soldiers who leave the hospital (ex. white T-shirts, underwear, socks, sweat shirts, sweat pants)
- Deck of cards/hand held games/music CDs
- DVDs and Videos (no pornography)
- Cross word puzzles, word search etc.
- Water balloons
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Food & Drink Items
- Ground Coffee, tea, hot cocoa mix
- Pre-Sweetened Drink mixes
- Tang/Gatorade/Kool-Aide Powder (pre-sweetened)
- Cookies, Homemade cookies (best if packed in Pringles container or similar)
- Candy, candy bars
- Gum, Lifesavers, Mints
- Small bags of snacks or individually wrapped snacks
- Peanuts, Trail mix, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
- Power bars, Granola bars, Protein bars, Nutrional bars, breakfast bars
- Pop Tarts
- Pringles, Lays, Torengos ( in pringle like can)
- Crackers, flavored snack crakers
- Gardetti's snack mix
- Beef Jerky (labled & certified USDA Grade A)
- Top Ramen Noodles
- Tuna in foil pouch
- Beef Slim Jims
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