Jeremy R. Strader (U.S. Army/Iraq) is a medic who works closely with a hospital.  He posted on 8/8/08:

The Hospital that we work really close with is short on several items that would be great to get. The best size for all of the following items is the travel size that can easily be found at Wal-Mart or such stores.

Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Shaving cream
Razors
Men's Deodorant 
Flip flops/shower shoes - Sizes 11 and larger
Shorts and Boxer shorts - Size XL and larger

I have small-size toothpaste and some toothbrushes that I was holding for the *needs* list from CSM Callaghan that I can send.  Can anyone else pitch in?

Thanks, Junkies!

--Marilyn

I know I have some razors that I can send.  I'll have to check to see what else I might have.

 Donna

Thanks, Donna!

--Marilyn

We just sent the last 11 pair of boxers to a medical unit in A'stan, but do we have the flip flops!  Walgreen's had their $1.99 flip flops last week for $ .49 and we loaded up, so we can send about a dozen or so pair of those (whatever will fit in the boxes).  We have one medium size (4 oz.) tube of toothpaste left that we will throw in too.  It isn't travel size, but it will do in a pinch, eh?

Gran

I forgot - we also have some twin blade disposable razors that we will send too.

Gran

Oh, Gran -- THANK YOU!!! 

Who is the contact for the medical unit in A-stan you sent to?  Please post on the  CSHs (Combat Support Hospitals) and Wounded Warriors  thread so all of us can help if needed. 

--Marilyn

Marilyn,

I would be happy to do that, but we just sent out the package on the 18th - the day that they were dropped because of their tour being 30 days out.  She had just posted in July 17 - 60 days before they were to leave, and I didn't catch it until Aug. 15.

Gran

Marilyn,

I don't know for sure, but I have an idea that the nurse that we sent the boxers to was with the same hospital as Traci Wilmoth, and I suspect that all of the hospitals at one time or another could use the same types of things that we have been sending via CSM Jerry.  Their list of needs seem to often have the same type of things in them. 

That makes me think - we just got some personal sized packs of q-tips we can cram in with the flip flops also while we are packing!

Hi Marilyn, I've got 4 zippered nylon travel size (8x4x2.5") pouches filled with most of the mentioned hygiene supplies. I'll send them in a FRB 2 and fill it up with misc hygiene items (B&BW cooling shave creme, razors, travel pacs kleenex, unscented body lotions). Someone mentioned the travel pouches here on the Forum. They're from Target (in the travel sized hygiene items) and are of a good quality for 99 cents! They are available in a two-toned Army green or grey and black. Just have to write up some appreciation notes before I seal the box for shipment tomorrow :) Anneel

Gran:

Marilyn,

I don't know for sure, but I have an idea that the nurse that we sent the boxers to was with the same hospital as Traci Wilmoth, and I suspect that all of the hospitals at one time or another could use the same types of things that we have been sending via CSM Jerry.  Their list of needs seem to often have the same type of things in them. 

That makes me think - we just got some personal sized packs of q-tips we can cram in with the flip flops also while we are packing!

Gran -- you are right about the type of needs.  That's why I'm reaching out to try to identify contacts at as many of the CSHs as I can.   Rosemary (rosepeddles) did put Traci Wilmoth on the CSH list we're building on the other thread -- so that's good!  Diane (iwojimaseabee) listed two others -- PO2 Alisha Green and CPT John Bishop.  I know there have to be more -- so as you (and any others reading this) spot them -- please note them on the list CSHs (Combat Support Hospitals) and Wounded Warriors  or start their own individual thread.  The Dream Team will try to help as many as we can.

Thanks!

--Marilyn

Anneel -- your travel size pouches sound perfect!  Thank you so much!

--Marilyn

Can anyone point me in the right direcction for men's shaving cream in a 'reasonable' size tubeto fit in those travel pouches?

The local Target carries  the small pouches all the time and I get them whenever I find them but I am having trouble finding shaving cream in a tube.  Most of it around here is in the aerosol cans.  Edge in the tube is gone from everyones shelves for quite some time now.  The only thing I can find in tubes are the special conditions shave creams.  Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks, Ann

I have some of those target zipper pouches I just bought and filled up, they are a nice pouch two toned and they hold a nice amount of goodies. I bought and filled eight with half of the items full sized ie; toothpaste, toothbrush, razor, floss, shampoo, lotion, barsoap, bodywash, and tide sample. I will get them out, I have only found shave cream in a tube I believe its mens Nivea I have been hunting high and low and I only find aerosol. But I will keep looking! Thanks for sharing this need.

Try Dollar Tree .....

That is where I buy all my shaving gel for shipment overseas. Only a buck a peice.

It's about half the size of a tube of suntan lotion, same dia (silver dollar size) just shorter ... hope this helps

Tony

Ann, Bath and Body Works, CO Bigelow line, has 1.7 oz tubes of men's shave cream. Another line of men's shave cream in a tube I have found in most drug stores, Walmart, ect is made by Neutrogena, but the tubes are 5 oz, a little big to be considered travel size. One of my AS contacts requested Noxema skin cream to use for shaving, but I have not checked to see if there is a smaller travel size available. If you have a Trader Joe's Market nearby, they carry a moisturizing shave cream, but it's a larger 8 oz tube. Hope this helps! Anneel