Well I am hearing back from some of my soldiers about how the care packages are drying up since the holidays. After the first of every year there is a slump in care packages but this year seems to be hitting extra hard because of the economy.

It can be easy to feel you need to send material things to support our troops and the truth is it is sometimes easier than long heartfelt letters when you are managing time in todays world.

As we tie ourselves to material goods for our troops, when the lack of money hits us, some of us can be prone to wait and put off that package until later to send more material goods. Thats okay but the slump can make them feel forgotten. 

Some of these groups need things that money can't buy.

Some I have seen is childrens colored pictures and letters.

Jokes off the net.

One or two DVDs (from a yard sale) in a small mailer.

Postcards.

Travel brochures. 

What is one of your favorites that could help fill in the slump?

door

Very good points! I've also been hearing that packages and letters are drying up. Also that many send once and then don't continue. All are very appreciative of every single piece of mail, but they really like the letters and just *something* from home on an ongoing basis. Even a printout of a picture with a silly note scribbled on it. Or a postcard with a scenic picture or interesting spot to visit when they return.

My fav is a letter with several pictures. I type it up and insert the pictures, then customize it a bit for each person. I mention what's been going on here, good news I've heard about activities there, something funny, possibly music I've been listening to, and something about one of their interests or where their unit is from. I also hand-write a lot of letters but that takes a lot more time so is harder to do every time. I usually include in every card or letter a pkt of pop rocks, several individual drink mixes, a printout of a joke or photo, or some small goodie.I always weigh to make sure it doesn't exceed 1 oz.

Another inexpensive thing to send is old calendars with really pretty pictures of American scenery, landmarks, etc (and no printed dates on the pictures). Cut the pictures off, provide removable sticky tape and also tiny nails (so they can choose). Fasten between 2 pieces of cardboard to prevent bending when packing/unpacking from box. Framing is expensive for that odd size but nice if you can. Even the pictures alone are appreciated, tho. Just make sure they are in great shape - nothing beat up or dog-eared.

 

This is a great thread! I have recently started sending "just" letters with funny emails that I've received in a 6x9 envelope....cost is less than 2 dollars for postage. I also include newspaper articles about a contact's favorite sports team or player----also articles from the team's website.  From our local chamber of commerce I include pamphlets & brochures about our local area(near the Blue Ridge Mtns). I have also been thinking about yard sale season that will be coming soon and looking forward to finding goodies(like the DVD movies you suggested) in good shape but inexpensive.  I like the idea from another poster about including the powdered drink packets or a small snack----but I would probably need to use a padded envelope for this type of thing. You both have such great ideas! I look forward to more posts on this thread.....

The emails I referred to in my previous post are of course emails I have printed from my inbox!

ncbeth,

No need for padded envelopes if you keep cards/letters pretty flat and under 1 oz (so it only requires 1 stamp). For most cards, I can include 3-4 individual drink mix packets and still be under 1 oz. I put them in a flat row then put a piece of tape along them to prevent them from bunching up inside the envelope. If I go over 1 oz, I just add more postage so that's not bad.

Hi Door, can you share where these folks are?  Most of my packages have been going to A-Stan to the KOP area.  Many of them are still overloaded with no storage room.  Some have asked for no more or have had their names removed from AS.

Some of them haven't received mail for a month or more but have tons of it waiting for delivery, Chaplains have hollered 'Uncle' and don't think they can get everything distributed before cut off dates, etc.

I'd be happy to help out some other groups.    Anita.

 

This is an excellent thread, thank you for starting it. I have been concerned when I read the posts and see how few times addresses have been requested. I think that the economy is really pinching alot of people. It could also be a function of the new address request limit, but I think that it is the economy,

These are some great ideas for inexpensive packages as well as letters. Our troops need to know we are behind them.

I just purchased a pack of Saint Patrick's day cards to send... it was cheaper than the individual cards.

Dorothy 

 

Sometimes I will write letters as I watch tv and describe what is going on...with humorous commentary..(or what I think is humorous)...especially on the commercials...To help keep them updated I have sent info about new releases on CD and DVD's, movies, sports etc.  Often times I will purchase the economy priced greeeting cards..the .99 cent or even the .49 cent greeting cards for various occasions and send them in a larger envelope.(blank for the soldiers use)..more postage but no custom form to fill out!  You'd be surprised on how many little cards you can fit into a larger white envelope!  Sometimes I will send cute photos of my pets or photos of the area where I live. Where I work I will give a heads up that I am sending out a food box or hygiene box and everyone brings ONE item and or adds a personal note.

As junkies know, it's not about the "stuff" it's about the "support" .....

 

I have started sending one ten dollar AT&T international phone card or one fifteen dollar i-tunes gift card inside of a notecard .  It only requires a regular postage stamp, no customs form, and those are two things that one of my contacts requested.  I also still send packages, but a little less often.

I love to browse for really crazy cards...ones that make me laugh out loud in the store.  I have gotten positive responses from soldiers on those.  I have found some great silly ones for 50 cents.

I have also made up my mind to count AnySoldier.com as a "contact"....I have been spending with them what I would for a contact each week...much simpler...no customs forms and no postage if donations are made over the internet!!!!

Another reason for the slump: we can only request 10 names/month now (less any 'address changes' for current contacts which makes the number even less). For some of us junkies who send alot, being cut back on contact names effects the number of boxes going out! Last 2 times I went to my usual post office they (kiddingly) said, 'what! that's all you have?".

 Has there been an update given on why it's 10/month now? That's gonna be a huge problem for me come Christmastime, I barely kept with the 20/month limit during the last holiday season. :(

On 2/11 on the site info. section of the forum Marty wrote about the new restrictions:

If you need more than the limit, just email Marty. There's means to get more names.

 

We have been talking about the slump and today (for the first time EVER) I recieved one of my weekly letters back. It was marked APO CLOSED return to sender. I knew she was still there because I got an email from her two days ago. I immediately emailed about the situation and here is her response...

"Good Evening,

Thank you for the prayers. The address is correct. We have had some
issues with the mail. It was backed up for quite some time due to
weather conditions, and unfortunately because of the bulk, some mail did
not reach its destination. The sand storms have calmed a bit. Overall,
all is well. Be blessed!

T."

I hope nothing else gets sent back-they need this stuff!

I can't imagine wanting over 10 new names per month. When I "adopt" a contact, I send cards and care packages to them regularly for the duration of their deployment. I always include enough to share and for smaller units I often make individual "goodie bags" so each person gets a bit.

If you adopt 10 people per month for just 3 months, that's 30 contacts. Sending cards, letters and care packages to 30 people on a regular basis is a lot for a person to manage. Do you guys send to each contact once?

If you find yourself wanting to adopt more than allowed, you could make a donation directly to anysoldier.com instead of adopting that 11th+ contact each month. Anysoldier also sends care packages to units and really needs the financial support.