Ah! Books.  Books are tricky.  You either have them every where or you have none.

To be honest books are very hard to distribute. I am currently trying to help the FOB library get on its feet, but until that time the books just pile up. And I hate for stuff to go to waste.

That is one thing I learned form my last deployment--"Beware of books and Bibles." They both pile up.

Magazines are different.  Magazine are current.  They have current information, which we love to read and, to some extnet, they are disposable.  People have no problem throwing them away after they have made the rounds, so they don't become outdated and pile up.  It is also understood that they are typically left-overs, meaning they have already been read by the subscriber.  So magazines are a favorite to recieve in care packages.  Think about what you read--if you like it, somebody here will to so through them into a box.  Again, it is ok that they are left over--we don't care we just want to read them and pass them around so we can talk about them.

Comic Books.  Well, they are a personal pursuit of mine. When I see a box of comics--my day has been brightened. 

 I wrote someone else asking specifically what I wanted and this is what I said:

"The best way to lift my morale is with comic books. I know that sounds crazy, but when anyone asks, that is what I say, because it is true.

If you have someone who likes to go to yard sales and flea markets and happens to see some comic books--those are great for me! Sometimes there are comic book shops that have basements sales with 50 cent comics those are great too. They don't have to be new--actually I subscribe to the new ones and they are waiting for me back in Germany, just back issues. I read primarily DC and Marvel comic books (Superman, Batman, Spider-man, Fantastic Four, Daredevil). I enjoy taking time out for myself and reading or just looking through what I have. These are a special treat for me, more than anything out there. I read so much other stuff, it is always a great break to spend just enjoying my comic books."

To be honest, I take what I find interesting and pass out the others to other avid comic book readers and this builds bridges between them and myself.  Then we put them out for others to grab--many times identifying those that like comic books and getting them on the good stuff when it comes in.

One idea, I saw recently was including a comic book in with the individual care packages.  The Soldiers really appreciated this.  Some were happy to come into my office and drop them off.

Thank you for your question.  I hope I was able to shed some light on the literature situation out here.  I hope this also help in supporting other locations less fortunate as mine.

Thank you very much for all of the support that you provide for us.

Say no more, Chaplain, I have some comics for you!!!!  I have discovered a comic book store recently...  Lovely people!  I will tell them about you as they were looking for someone who would appreciate comics and other books.  Take care.

Debbie

Hi all!  My husband went to a class (at Global Knowledge) for work and they gave him the training material in a small box with a carrying handle.  We had several of them piled up around the house and didn't even think about them for care packages; the day the light came on, though, all the training material got piled on the table and the boxes were put to work!  The boxes are about 9 x 12 x 2 and close up nicely.  I have found that these work great for individual care packages to go out in a larger box; shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and a magazine fit nicely, plus you still have room to throw in a few smaller goodies. 

Apologies if this has already been posted - I was in Dollar Tree today and they had round cookie tins, but smaller that you could put several travel sized toiletries or small snacks and drink mix sticks plus a notecard. The tins were solid colors - copper, pewter, etc.

 And Drug Fair had plastic shoe boxes 2 for $5.00 - don't know if that's a good price or not.

Hope this helps.

Ann

Hi Ann,

Dollar Tree usually has the plastic shoe boxes.  I have seen them on lower shelves.  Big Lots has them for $1.00.  I love Dollar Tree.  They have some made in U.S.A. products, not much, but some.  I am glad that you mentioned the tins.  I am going to concentrate on the tins of cookies as well.  Walgreen's usually has an assortment.

Vicki 

Hi VickiV - If you see any square tins, pls post.  The scrapper in me is just beggin to decorate these little things in r,w,and blue;)  Thanks for the tip on Walgreen's.

Ann

Ann,

I just ordered a bunch of "scrap your own" boxes from oriental trading company. They come in 2 sizes Small ones are 12 for $2.95 and large ones are 12 for $4.95. If you go to www.orientaltradingcompany.com and click on the craft section then scrapbooking it will bring up a list on the left side click on scrap your own projects and it will bring up all kinds of unfinished boxes (several different shapes) as well as other things. The ones that I ordered are white match box type boxes just begging to be decorated. I have ordered scrapbook supplies several times from there and they are of good quality and shipping is rather quick. These boxes should work good even for non-scrappers since they are white, just tie a bow around them.

 Holly

George.. thanks for the heads up.

Individual goodie packs are the most fun I think.  

Here's a reminder though:    I just had a great time packing up some individual envelopes but then re-read the request.  Doh! They don't have microwaves!!! bummer. I'm off to the store to replace the Warm Delights with Tuna Lunch kits. 

Oh well, those are just as nice and sombody else can enjoy the brownies.

Susan

Holly - Have you any idea how much trouble you just got me into?  Cooool stuff!  Goood prices!!  Definitely will wait till I figure out what I actually can use!!  The little rounds with the clear tops are cheaper that any of the local places too!

Thanks for the link:) 

Ann

Ann,

Sorry, didn't mean to get you into trouble. My husband sighs every time one of their catalogs come in the mail. I spend a ton there especially on scrapbook supplies. I ordered the boxes for a differant project, but I'll let you know how they work out. If I have extra I plan to fill them with goodies for these guys.

Holly

Holly - I was at A.C. Moore this evening and noticed they had round (not exactly what I was looking for) metal tins - smaller tho, the largest was 3 1/2" - with a magnetic back.  Not exactly "goodie" tins but they must be good for storing something since they'd stick to lockers, metal walls, etc.  Just havent figured out what yet.  Maybe office supplies like paper clips etc for the guys that work on computers? 

Ann

Sorry I had not read all these details earlier - I sent a box intended to be distributed on an as-needed basis - I hope it did work out even though it was not meant for an individual.  And I certainly appreciate the thank you note which arrived a few days ago.

Dorothy

Dorothy--

The packages you sent are definately helpful!!  The as needed boxes are used for the "as needed" situations that arise.  People frequently come by asking for candy for the Chaplain or snacks--it is a great morale boost to have things for them and we go through that quickly.  They also need hygene products that we pass out as well.

The individual boxes are important--but the "as needed" boxes keep my office a place of happiness--so thank you very much!!!!

OK Junkies---Maybe the best buy on smaller boxes yet!!!  WalMart has 12 packs of Mainstays square plastic boxes with lids the size you would pack a sandwich for lunch (about 1 3/4" deep & 5" square) for $3.94 (a dozen---That makes each one about $.33!)  Good size for a nice little gift package and a useable container for them to keep as well after.  Fill it & tie with a ribbon and you are set.  Unfortunately you can't fit more than 2 or 3 filled ones in an FRB as a bit too wide at the top when the lid is on.  The 5" base tapers outward with the lid to about 6 3/4".  Too bad we just couldn't ship the supplies over in bulk and one of us to go over and fill them all and tie those nice bows once we get there...Our postage would go much farther...LOL  Unless, of course, CPT Andrews has an assistant who likes filling boxes....LOL  Hint hint hint.  The money would go much further but the trade off is the labor...   Anyway, if they aren't too heavy once filled, you could always ship them in something other than an FRB  or even send Parcel Post...a little longer to get there.

Anyway, interested in others' thoughts.  I picked up 3 dozen which was all that particular store had.  Won't be able to begin filling for several weeks as I'm busy fighting off alligators at the moment.  Just wanted to give you all a heads up in case you wanted to search for them. Tell me what you think.

Debbie