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Free Packaging Material
The United States Postal Service is offering free packing
materials to spouses and families of military members who are deployed
overseas.
To take advantage of this service call: 1-800-610-8734
and press 1 (for English & then 3 for an operator) and they will send
you free boxes, packing materials, tape and mailing labels. These products
are to be used to mail care packages to service members.
You must still pay normal postage
12" X 12" X 8" boxes are the largest ones available.
Where To Send The
Packages
Mailing Instructions:
*Put any item that could leak or melt or which is scented
in a leak-proof zip-sealed bag!
*If you would like a reply, be sure to enclose a letter
saying so.
*Use a sturdy corrugated, brown Kraft box, as free of
other markings as possible.
*Fill all extra space with foam peanuts, bubble wrap,
popcorn
*Double tape all seams with strong packing or shipping
tape. Make sure you have a strip going around all sides.
*Fill out a "Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note" at
the Post Office. Briefly list the contents & underestimate the value
to discourage thieving. In the upper left corner write "Operation Military
Pride" with your complete return address so they know itÍs safe
to open (or it might get tossed)! In the bottom left corner write a re-direct
address of another troop or write, If the person to whom this box is addressed
has been redeployed, please keep the box and share it with your unit.
The postage cost will be at the regular postage rate
(or priority mail rate if desired and going to an APO).
Where to send the packages
Rank/Name (example: CPT Scott Caldwell)
C76, Viper Co., 1-198 Armor, 155 BCT
APO-AE 09329
Food Items
*Instant coffee.
- There are many flavored coffees
that veryare good
*Powdered Gatorade (quart sized to mix with bottled water)
*Powdered hot chocolate
*Kool-Aid (presweetened of course)
*Tea bags
*Peanuts, Sunflower Seeds (salty snacks)
*Slim Jim's
*Crackers and Easy Cheese.
- Triscuits and Ritz crackers
are great.
*Single servings of bagged chips.
- The small bags stay fresh
longer
*Candy, of course. (M & M's are great, hard
candy-anything that won't melt.)
*Little Debbie snack cakes
*Bubble gum
*Rice Krispie Treats
*Dry cereal.
- The small, individual serving
boxes stay very fresh
*Kraft Easy Mac
*Microwave popcorn
*Beef jerky |
*Granola bars
*Power bars
*Dried fruit
*Chex mix
*Canned soup
*Tuna in the foil pouch
*Spices
- Onion powder, garlic powder,
spice all, ect
*Summer sausage
*Oatmeal
*Salsa
*Lollipops
*Marshmallows
*Gum
*Chips
*Ragu Express
*Canned chicken
*Salad dressing
*Instant soup
*Fast food condiments
- Hot sauce, ketchup, mustard,
salt and pepper packets, relish, Mayo |
The Kids
* Have the kids draw a picture or write a story every
day. Put them all in a big envelope and send them with the care packages.
* Take video of the kids playing at the park, any school
activities or just sitting down and saying a personal message.
* Get some computer printer magnetic paper. Let the kids
use paint markers to draw a picture on it so the parent can easily hang
it on the metal rack that they sleep in.
* Let the kids do their very own care package. Let them
put in whatever they want.
*Use a casting kit to create a miniature plaster "sculpture"
of a new baby's foot or hand for a new daddy.
Practical
*Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer (GermX, Purel, etc.)
*Imodium AD Chewable Tablets
*Clorox wipes
*Baby wipes
*Razors with Lubricant Strips, shaving cream
*Shampoo, conditioner
*After shave lotion
*Soap or body wash
*Mouth wash
*Deodorant
*T-shirts, underwear and socks, monthly.
*A big fluffy towel
*Eye drops, especially for those in the desert.
*Hand Lotion
*Moisturizing Soap |
*Chapstick
*Lip balm
*Sun block
*Skin so soft (Avon)
*Lotion
*Dental floss
*Gold Bond powder
*Foot powder
*Combs /brushes
*Cotton balls
*Breath mints
*Contact lens cleaner
*Nail files
*Toothpaste |
Just for fun
*Send batteries. It sounds simple, but people forget.
*Sunblock
*A stress ball.
*Stamps, paper and envelopes with a nice writing pen
might inspire a few more letters home.
*Phone cards (AT&T work best from Kuwait)
*Paperback book or magazines
*Disposable cameras
*Puzzles
*Film
*Journals
*Yo Yo's
*Squirt guns
*Frisbees
*Dart boards
*Small flash lights
*Hackie sacks
*Jump ropes
*Electronics hand held games
*Post cards from your home state
*Handmade items
*Radio head sets
*Portable CD players
*Mini fans |
*Jokes and comics
*Balloons
*Hats (Baseball)
*Bandannas
*Socks
*Blankets
*Bug off
*Single sheet sets
*Birthday decorations
*Banners
*Send board games
- The ones they have made into
key chains.
*Send his favorite magazines
*If they're gone over a holiday, make up one box with
just holiday stuff. Be creative!
*With a CD burner, make a CD of favorite songs.
*Always write letters, but in addition you might record
your letters onto a tape.
*Send a few toys. Slinky, sidewalk chalk, squirt guns...anything
extra silly.
*Send electronic games.
*Make a miniature scrapbook.
*Foam footballs and basketballs, the miniature size.
- These will be used constantly! |
DON'T SEND:
*Pressurized items (Shaving cream, etc...)
*Chocolates (May melt all over package)
*Pornographic material (illegal in some countries)
*Liquor
For Female Soldiers
*Feminine hygiene products (Tampons, panty liners)
*Hair bands
*Hair clips
*Nail polish
*Nail clippers
*Q-tips |
*Small mirrors
*body sprays
*Candles
*Hair spray (Pump)
*Hair gel
*Perfume |
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