Hi!  I just found out about this great website a few weeks ago and would like to buy and ship a few requested electronic items.  Many of the posts simply say "DVD player" or "CD player."  One of my main questions is whether they mean portable or tabletop.  For example, a regular DVD player for a TV or a portable one?  A boombox or a walkman kind of CD player?  Do they usually specify if they want a portable DVD player?

One soldier mentioned that he's setting up an MWR center (he's contact for 76 people).  I assume that non-portable items would work in that situation, right?

I'd appreciate any guidance!!  I know they'd probably appreciate any players, but I thought with your help I could make a more educated guess.  THANKS!! 

My guess that if the items are for the MWR center then a larger, more sturdy piece of equipment would be best. I have sent portable cd players to a hospital unit for use by individual while in bed. Be sure to include batteries you will be sending portable stuff. And you can get some pretty good deals on used cd's and dvd's- ask your friends to help or check out the used stores. To help with postage you may find some good deals from stores that will ship to APO/FPO for free and this will save you the postage costs, etc. If you do this, send a note to the soldier that you are sending it from the company and to expect the package. I printed off the invioce and sent that to the contact which was a big help since then they knew who to write back and thank. Should you get a bunch of cd's you may want to put a sticker on the case,, computer address labels worked really well. I did up a bunch and called them " CD's for Seabees". Many of the sailors were going to burn them onto their computer drives and then pass them around for others to do the same so who knows how much joyful music is being shared.

Welcome aboard!

For a MWR, I would get the regular DVD player that hooks up to a TV, and for a CD player, get a boombox variety.

For individuals, portable ones are fine.  Instead of CD players, it seems the preference is for MP3 players like the iPod.  There are less expensive brands like Sandisk that you can buy.  In fact, this Christmas I had a very hard time locating individual CD players, the shelves were full of the MP3 players.  I think CD players are on there way to extinction.

I really hope you enjoy being an AS supporter/junkie.  It has snowballed for me over the last year - I have even got to meet one of my soldiers this month when he came home for R&R and have another one coming home for R&R in February.  It's very rewarding doing this, and I have met some great people, both supporters and soldiers!

Great suggestions from previous replies.

I would just add that if you are unable to determine what they're looking for, I'd send a letter and ask. I'm thinking that you'd be pretty sure to get a response from someone who really needs one of the items you'd like to send.

For the MWR center, I'll send the more durable standalone items.  I think I'm pretty safe on that.

Thanks for all the great advice!