Hello, everybody!

I hope I'm not repeating anyone else's questions (I looked for it and couldn't find it... but there are four boys yelling and 'killing bad guys' around me, so I have my mind a little confused right now )

I've been buying many different higiene and food itens and stocking in my room (my bed is almost 'unreachable'). But when arrived the time to pack them, it came to me this questions. We know better there are some things almost all soldiers would like to receive, like protein bars, snacks like nuts, mac and cheese... And being in Germany I could find some very interesting thing that I think it can help soldiers (Germans are really concern about their health and wellness....). Some leaders are representing 40, 50 people, as you know, and some are asking help for a couple of soldiers. What I would like to ask you is what it seems to be more useful or more plasure for them: receiving boxes with different sort of things (but that not always will be enough for everybody) or getting a good amount of a couple of things they requested??? 

Thank you!!!!

Barbara,

All of us are individual, as are the contacts and troops they represent.  Often, when the contacts ask for items, it may be for every person in the group, but other times requests may come from just a couple of them.  I prefer to send at least a few different food items because I have no way of knowing what anyone else has sent to them, and don't think they could use a truckload of mac and cheese in one deployment.  That is one good thing about picking a contact with a low number of address requests - they usually aren't overrun with one item, so that's one way to go.  Almost anything you put in your package will likely be appreciated at the beginning of their deployment especially, I have found.  No matter how well they are prepared, especially the young ones are sometimes overwhelmed by what they are faced with when their boots are on the ground.

Our support isn't a science project, it's a love project to show them they are remembered and to try to send them a touch of home in a foreign environment. 

We appreciate your help.   Enjoy your sponsorship.

Gran

Hi Barbara!

Welcome aboard!  You are in for a great time with supporting the troops!

As to your question, I will answer based on my experience with my current groups. I have 2 groups, one with 4  and one with 150. For my small group, I send usually enough for 4 people.  But I send them a box of granola bars, a box of drink mix, things like that, or for their toiletries, 4 deoderants,tooth paste, etc.  I know that the 4 of them share every thing that they get in a care package. For my group of 150, I can not afford to send enough of one thing for all of them, so I just send an  assortment of items that some people will be able to enjoy. My last box for them held a big box of granola bars, a container of beef jerky, two drink mix boxes, cookies, a big box of candy bars, and gum. Not enough for all 150, (actually enough of all thing for about 40-50) but there are others that support them, so they are well covered.

Good luck, and remember that whatever you send, treats, or letters, it is all appreciated!

Heidi

 Thank you, Gran and Heidi!

 I suppose I need many tips and some time and experience to do things in a more 'racional' way. The other day my boss got inside my room (he is an ex-MP and his wife is the currently soldier in family), took a look at my bags and said: 'Barbara, are you going to show your support to the troops or are you thinking about supporting all US Armed Forces???' lol

I kind of forgive myself for two mainly reasons: the first one is, although I have made many friends from all branches, ranks, MOS and live inside Post (!!!), nobody knows anything about any support program! Until some months ago, I never knew it was possible sending something for someone who is at the war! Even living and working with Military Families! I know it sounds stupid, but for someone coming from a country like Brazil, 'war' is such a distant issue! I've found the anysoldier thru the ASY. I was navigating there for finding out what kind of support could someone give to a soldier. Of course I became enchanting when I started to see how many people are involved and in how many different ways we can help them! So I started to spend hours everyday to find out what kind of things they were asking for and really felt like helping everybody . Besides, eveything is so difficult to me... I can't go to the Comissary or to the PX by myself. I depend of the (good???) will of my bosses (oh... the ID Card... I almost dream about getting one ). The same for going shopping at downton (I always need someone to sign me in back home). And this means that the few opportunities I had to buy things, I really bought things!!!!! The Drug Stores in Germany are amazing.... very huge places, very good products, many different things and amazing prices! And I am a very creative person, so I spent hours (hours!!!) some Saturdays checking everything, one by one, thinking: 'Could this be useful for something???'

But the top ten of the most ridiculous things in the History of all ridiculous things are the letters I'm sending. I bought coloured papers, those silk tapes (we use for gifts) in white, blue an red, cute Disney sticks and all you can imagine. My letters have frames, my cup o noodles have fripperies... RIDICULOUS! (At least I have an excuse: I can say it was children's idea ). Then I also forgave myself when I remembered the Gulf War Times. I 'wrote' letters for soldiers (in Portuguese, of course, since I couldn't speak English yet) and asked to one of our neighbors, whose son was living in States, to ask him to give the letters to any soldier's mom or wife for when they came back home.... lol  And, believe it or not, I forced my mind and remembered my letters decorations at that time were EXACTLY THE SAME MY CURRENTLY LETTERS DECORATIONS!  But I haven't realized myself of that until some days ago. PATHETIC, I know. I am about to complete 31 yrs old... and I'm doing the same thing I did when I was 13.... Well... they have always been my heroes!!!

I think (I hope!) that, within time passing, I can do things in a more racional way...

But your tips were very useful, thanks again!!!!

Barbara        

"... is what it seems to be more useful or more plasure for them: receiving boxes with different sort of things (but that not always will be enough for everybody) or getting a good amount of a couple of things they requested??? "

Easy, the answer is "YES!"   :)

THE most pleasure will be that you sent them something, the contents are secondary.

Try both options...see what feedback you get.

Cool question, I appreciate you asking this one.  Thanks!

Oh Barbara...the soldiers will love having you sponsor them.  My opinion is that while it is good to send what they ask for, it is even better to include some items they don't ask for.  They often do not think of (or are not familiar with) some things that could be very useful or fun.  A surprise is almost always a welcome thing.  And because you can send unique items from Germany, that will be fun for them too. So I suggest that you send some of both.  Of course they are all different but they share everything and what one person may not particularly want, the next guy will treasure.   So send and enjoy the experience!

By the way, your English is very good.  Nice work learning the language!

Kathy

I love your enthusiasm, Barbara!  The troops will love all the stuff you send AND the decorations.  I am amazed sometimes at the little details the guys notice.  The time we take to prepare the things we send really does help to get the message across that the troops deserve the best we can send them.  

 Thank you for giving your suggestion, Mr. President Sergeant First Class Horn! 

(God bless you!!!)

I will absolutely try both options! Some years ago, living with daddy, I would have certainly sent a good amount of everything! But today... being a nanny...

I'm also thinking about sending CDs with pictures, for those who have mentioned having access to any private laptop. (besides sending them children's pictures, maybe also sending pictures from places they miss in States). I would like very much to send them pictures of all 'military children' I took care of since I arrived in Germany. But our Px... you know... they just get some printer inks IF you ask for. And even like these, it takes months to arrive. But we have no time to loose, right?

 By the way, I've been receveing many positive comments about Anysoldier from soldiers that have already made their    sand-tour. I explain: When I'm not working for my 4 little soldiers, or taking them for a walk inside Post, or triple-packing itens to my packages - I'm doing my best to reach the level of excellence in Godzilla's proof packages ISO 2009! -, I'm online, always doing a couple of things at the same time. Reading Anysoldier's everything (my Home Page, of course), learning (or trying to learn something) about the military universe (all this branches, and patches, and ranks, and ribbons, and medals, and insignias, and divisions, brigades, etc, etc, etc) and meeting new people at one of these famous Websites for who is or who wants to meet American Military Single people. And since they define themselves like the largest network of INTEGRATED communities, I thought it would be a good opportunity to call atention for Anysoldier from people that are interested in other subjects (why is that???) and added to other communities By the way, my nickname is Anysoldier. And when a member can read my text profile, first thing he will see is anysoldier's adress. Then many soldiers write to me saying that they just came back from any sand-nightmare and that if wasn't for Anysoldier's support their sand-deployment would have been the worst ever! And they thank me! - They are probably thinking I'm someone! Maybe doing any confusion... I think the ASY director or organizer or........ is called Barbara LAU, and I am Barbara LAUrito. You know... coincidences of life. I always tell them to go to the website and do their part now! Cant say if it's working, but...

(oh, almost forgot: it seems like some days a week I also sleep  2 or 3 hours during the night...) 

Anyway, I just heard the best compliments for this program. This confirms again and again that everybody here is doing a great job!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, EVERYONE!

Thank you, Kathy!

 You are totally right! And I am very impressed to notice that even soldiers who are living in Germany its been a couple of years dont know many things and benefits they could use here. At the beginning I thought it was due the fact I was asking tips for Infantry soldiers and, you know... there is some sort of products they wouldn't see even if they jumped from the shelf and started to dance in the middle of the Drug Store :-) But I confirmed that many American women dont know these itens either.

Drug Stores are amusement parks for me :-), but anyway.... I have an aunt who lives in Germany its been 20 years. So everytime I came to visit her, she introduced me to new places and products. Besides, I must go shopping with a dictionary AND my cell phone, to call her in those cases that require a more personalized assistance!

Oh. there is also this detail: sticks (I put one each product) with their descriptions translated for English. Maybe this was what took me more time.... I don't speak German at all. Just know some words, and I wanted to be sure all important informations would be understandable and visible (we never know if someone suffer for any allergy....). My blond brains never worked so much ;-)

If they dont die laughing from my letters 'layout', I'll let you know how things are going!

Barbara

Barbara,

I am sure that the recipients of your gifts will surely find some translations amusing, which is a good thing.  Any distraction is a good thing for the troops.  I find the difference in expressions of even different areas of our country amusing at times.  I always get a loving chuckle when I see some expressions of people for whom the English language is not a primary language.  We appreciate the hard work you are going through to send your gifts.

Hugs,

Gran

Barbara,

What a smart woman you are to put a sticker on the products with a translation.  That is very helpful and could be vital if, as you suggest, someone has an allergy.  And that is so much extra trouble for you but wonderful that you are  doing it.  I am sure they will love your letters.  Often soldiers will post remarks like, "We even heard for someone from Australia", or Brazil or wherever.  Seems that they really enjoy contact with folks from other countries.  It will be fine.

Kathy

Thank you, Janet!

 I also think they deserve every minute, every cent and every night awake :-)

And one thing I know for sure about my decorations: they will have something to laugh about for weeks!!!!

God bless you! 

Thank you so much, Gran. And like they keep saying, anything who helps them to take their minds from that situation for some minutes is appreciate. They will have many things to laugh about when my packs arrive :-)

PS: from all Americans I have met in one year living here in Germany, I can say for sure that those who gave me the biggest support and love were 3 people from your State: a couple from Fayetville (this city name I neeeeever know how to write :-) ) and a friend, a soldier I met some weeks ago, from Sheridan. All of them are always ready to extend us a hand...

God Bless You!

Kathy, when I was putting scotch tape (and a several other kinds of tape :-) ) to close all these shower gels, it came to my mind this 'little question' about the Language and also about the fact they don't know these products and most probably Europeans make use of some different substances. I also read, the other they, a request from one leader where he asked to supports not to send a certain kind of deodorant (cant remember which one) because one of his soldiers were allergic. I suppose it must be those dry sprays that almost kill us if we inalate them :-)

Then (God forgive me) it came to this so much creative and crazy mind a funny scene. Funny, of course, because in my mind wouldn't happen anything worst. The other day I was reading at wikipedia that Saint Barbara is the one who protects those who work with fire, bombs, or anything involving the dangerous of a subit and violent... we know what. And that all over the world men from artillery, SAPPERs and military men that are involved with those risks make a huge party to thank her and ask for protection (by the way, the day is December 4th, coincidently the day my parents got married. None of them knew about it until I told them some weeks ago). Although I'm not catholic, I thought could be cute choosing one troop whose mainly job is Route Clearance (cute and also one way to choose, since 'choosing one' means 'not choosing many others', which is painful and almost impossible. So I determinated some silly 'standars' to help me). And it came: the soldiers is there, under 110 degrees, and under his ACU dealing with some explosive they just found. Suddenly he starts to feel itching all over the body because he made use of one these shower gels I'm sending them and he got an allergic reaction.... :-)

Definitively, not a good thing to happen!!! Like my grandma use to say, 'if we will do something, lets do it right, from the beginning to the end!'

Have a nice Sunday and God bless you!