Hi Wendy & Dave,

Dave, I'm in Wisconsin too.  I've got more than enough of my own snow.  It's so high on either side of the driveway that I can't see if a vehicle is coming or not.  So I pray when exiting the driveway & heading out on the street.  They say we're going to break the record of 70" of snow.  It's good to have you here.  I'm sure having been in the Military, you'll know just what kind of things our soldiers will like to hear about and what kind of stuff is good to get. 

Wendy, the guys usually tell us (in their posts) what stuff they need/want.  Then it's just a matter of finding some bargains.  When possible, if the stuff you're shipping will fit & it weighs more, use the flat rate boxes at the post office (the boxes are free and the postage is usally under $11.00 WITH insurance).  Be sure to read the restrictions listed for your soldier too.  Most of it's pretty common sense, but you should probably check on it anyway.

It's sure great to hear from more people.  Our soldiers need all the support they can get.  There's always plenty of negative garbage, so I think it's wonderful that we've so many to send positive messages to them.

Hugs to all,

Sharon

Thanks for the welcom note, Irish.  I always knew there were a lot of people that used this site, but I think the forums that have been added are a great thing.  Sometimes, just little questions that need to be answered can be taken care of without burdening Marty.  I'm sure he has enough to worry about, just keeping this website up and running.

I saw the coffee mugs, can they be microwaved?

Irish, our snow fall here in West Allis/Milwaukee could break 85" if the forcast for Sunday is correct.  I am running out of places to put the snow!

Where do I find out more information on the flat rate boxes for shipping care packages?

Dave

The mugs are great in the microwave, Dave.  I've been down with flu and bronchitis for a week and have had LOTS of hot tea. 

You can check out the USPS website for lots of valuable info.  You can order the flat rate boxes directly from the site and they will deliver them to your door.

Hi Dave,

You're welcome for the welcome note.  It's nice here, I love getting to know people with the same OCD I have.  LOL  Yeah, I'm an hour north of Milwaukee.  I moved from there to here, Sheboygan, in 1994.  We're supposed to get from 9-13" Sunday.  I know what you mean about NO where to put the stuff.  It's just nuts.  :(

Flat rate boxes are $8.65 or $8.95 per box now.  There's one that measures 11-7/8" x 3-3/8" x 13-5/8" , and the other measures 11" X 8.5" X 5.5".  The boxes are free, and they'll deliver them to your house for free as well.  The flat rate is pretty helpful for shipping stuff to our soldiers.  There's a new one coming out, I think we can order it from the USPS Store (on line) or at your local PO on 2/20/08.  It's going to be a bit bigger than the 11 x 8.5 x 5.5 and only cost a bit over $10.00 to mail it to APO AE addresses.  If it's not going to an APO AE address, it will cost $2.00 more, so the PO is giving us AS junkies a break in shipping fees.  I'm pretty happy about it.  There's more info. here in the USPS section of the Forums.

I've never microwaved my coffee (actually tea) mug, but I see Janet responded and says she has.  I love the mug.  It's great.  It washes well (tea really stains cups if they're not 'sturdy' enough), it's big (I think Marty said 12 ounce) so it's great for tea in the morning to help me wake up, and wonderful for hot chocolate when I get in from shoveling/snow blowing snow and am soaked and chilled to the bone.

If you take a look at the stuff AS sells, you may want to purchase the pens too.  I love the 'fat' ones because they have a 'grip' section that feels softer on my fingers (working in an office all day my fingers get calused from writing so much) and it just 'fits' the hand well.  I've purchased a few packs and try to leave a pack on the desk at my local PO for advertising AS.  They got great bumper stickers too.  I thought they had T-shirts, but couldn't find them last time I looked.  :(  Anyway, good luck with finding your way around the USPS Store and the various forums here.  And again, a BIG welcome!

Hugs,

Sharon

My Name is Robert, My Wife is Tracy. ( SOUTHWICK CARES )

 Tracy is the PTA secretary at the local Elementary School  ( SouthWick )

Both my daughters attend SouthWick..

Last year 2006-2007  Found a couple of my Cousins serving overseas.  My small family decided to send a care package once a Month.   When the school PTA asked for ideas for upcoming events my Wife chimed in with How about a School care Package drive for Soldiers...

We learned a lot the First year.  Like have funding sources prior to Organizing a Care Package Drive...

IN October-November 2007 The School  collected and stuffed enough boxes for 75 care packages. The problem was we hadn't expected to have the response we Had.  We had secured the funding and Addresses to send 25packages..

OH no Mad scramble..... Funds, Funds Funds &  Names , names, names where, how,  

Luckily thats when we found Anysoldier.com  we requested a couple contacts ( 4 a day ) a couple times and then started looking for some generous people to help pay for postage..

This year the school held a PENNY Drive for Postage in January. The school collected almost  $1100 worth of change to Help pay for postage !!!  This month ( feburary ) the kids are collecting stuff and bringing in items to put in the care packages. 

Thats 120 regular Flat Rate boxes @ $8.95  or 100 Large Flat Rate boxes shipped to APO/AE @ $10.95

We are so Proud of  the students and the staff at SouthWick Elementary School  for helping us HELP our Soldiers..

  Hi Robert & Tracy,

Are soldiers are super blessed to have such an overwhelming response and all that support.  You've every right to be proud of the staff & students at SouthWick Elementary School, but don't forget, you & wife started it.  So our soldiers are blessed to have your support too.  Simply oustanding!!!! 

Hugs,

Sharon

Hello everyone my name is  Tonya. I am from IL. I just joined Anysoldier.com. I am married and live in IL. I am glad to meet you  all and hope to  make wonderful friends while i am  here supporting our troops

Tonya

Hi!

My name is Dawn, I'm from NC.

I'm already an Anysoldier Junkie! It took me 2 1/2 months to sign up for the forums, because I was too busy trying to get things, pack them and ship them to the contacts I had gotten!! lol

I'm so pleased and honored to be involved, it has meant alot to me. I lost my only child at the age of 21, 6 years ago. We were so very close, and I miss him every hour of every day.  This has given me a way to express all the love and support I have to give, since losing him.

He was the kind of person that would have been so "in to" doing this, that I know he is with me on every shopping trip and post office visit.

This site has been a wonderful for me, and I hope that I have also helped (and will continue to help) all our precious young men and women overseas in some small way.

Sincerely,

Dawn

Hi Dawn!  Welcome!

What part of NC are you from?  I'm in Wilmington.

I'm so sorry about your son, he sounds like a very special person.  I'm happy you've found AnySoldier, it's a great outlet for your mothering instinct!  I haven't been blessed with children, so this is one way I express mine.

It's great to have you here!

Maria 

Hello everyone.........

My name is Anne Marie and I live in Beaufort SC (home to the USMC).   I live about a mile from the the MC Air Station (MCAS)and often wonder if they are stopping in  for dinner while they are flying (since they are so low!!!)  Like it says on the entrance gate to the base "the noise you hear is the sound of freedom"   Amen to our FREEDOM!!!

I've been sending package for about 5 months but just joined the forum in the last few weeks and forgot about introducing myself (sorry).   I was a bit intimidated with the forum cause I can sit for hours and be confused about things on the computer .....but my 18 year old helped me (God bless the young ones and their smarts with technology!!!)    Actually is is my 18 year old (Alanna) that asks me everyday how her siblings are (meaning all the adopted units with the men and women).  Crazy sense of humor that girl.   She even helped me crochet little stockings at Christmas time for some of the units.   Anyway............where was I..........

I have lived here about 15 years........before that NY, CA and then NY again.   I have retired from the USPS after 21 years and devote alot of my time to the American Cancer Society as a volunteer, spend time with my grand daughters and of course the any soldier project.   I was married to a marine and have 3 great children and now 2 grand daughters   I have remarried and only wish he was the first one.   Live and Learn!!

I have enjoyed reading and learning so much from this forum.   Thanks to all you experienced people out there on the great advice.   May God bless each of you for all you do .....

Love and peace.......Anne Marie

Hello everyone.........

My name is Anne Marie and I live in Beaufort SC (home to the USMC).   I live about a mile from the the MC Air Station (MCAS)and often wonder if they are stopping in  for dinner while they are flying (since they are so low!!!)  Like it says on the entrance gate to the base "the noise you hear is the sound of freedom"   Amen to our FREEDOM!!!

I've been sending package for about 5 months but just joined the forum in the last few weeks and forgot about introducing myself (sorry).   I was a bit intimidated with the forum cause I can sit for hours and be confused about things on the computer .....but my 18 year old helped me (God bless the young ones and their smarts with technology!!!)    Actually is is my 18 year old (Alanna) that asks me everyday how her siblings are (meaning all the adopted units with the men and women).  Crazy sense of humor that girl.   She even helped me crochet little stockings at Christmas time for some of the units.   Anyway............where was I..........

I have lived here about 15 years........before that NY, CA and then NY again.   I have retired from the USPS after 21 years and devote alot of my time to the American Cancer Society as a volunteer, spend time with my grand daughters and of course the any soldier project.   I was married to a marine and have 3 great children and now 2 grand daughters   I have remarried and only wish he was the first one.   Live and Learn!!

I have enjoyed reading and learning so much from this forum.   Thanks to all you experienced people out there on the great advice.   May God bless each of you for all you do .....

Love and peace.......Anne Marie

Hi Maria,

 I live in Randleman, it's a small town between Greensboro and High Point. Richard Petty country!! lol

 Thank you for you kind words.