2 boxes ready for B Velazquez with lots of baby wipes, small pillow, towel/ washcloths sets, shower gel, hand sanitizer, 2 microfleece caps( cold weather will be here before long). Will get to post office later

Hello --

Last fall, I went through various posts on the Forum, gathered up and created a list of links to various websites for a variety of items -- socks, camping gear, tactical items, snacks, etc.  It's posted in the What to Send, Non-food Items section -- http://forum.anysoldier.com/forums/p/8114/48636.aspx#48636

I thought now would be a good time to re-post and bump it up --

--Marilyn

Today I shipped a large FRB of tuna and snacks to Bettis. 

 Also, shipped one LFRB of power bars, popcorn and drink mix and one LFRB of baby wipes, moisturizer,  deodorant, and note cards to Velazquez.

--Marilyn

Looks like Valzquez and his guys will be taken care of very well.  on 6/22 sent 3 boxes, 2 flts an 1 larger one filled with small pillows, insoles, boxers, wet wipes, DVD's, and socks.  One food  jerky, power bars, penut butter, ritz, etc.    one with baby wipes, gen. hygiene.  Also ordered washboars for his group and  Lane's group, as well as 3 similar boxes of stuff.   Heard back from Velazquez on the 10th day!!!     

 I'll be sending another griddle for them as well as a hot pot and solar shower next week. 

 Anita

Awesome!!! GO, A nita!!!!

Has anyone sent the DVD players Ethier and Mendez requested?  I can get a decent Philips for under $40, possibly less.  I'll send out next weekend if I don't hear anyone else has already sent. 

Christy

I am new here.  I requested Fender, it lead me here. You all seem to have a system.  I would be happy to be part of the coordinated effort regarding what is sent.  One of Fender's requests was a washboard kit, I would be happy to take care of this, unless someone else has done this already. Is it acceptable to give an address to this company for this purpose?

I have another name in Afghanistan, but no idea if in Korengal, but have a box ready to go. But after reading references to the Bettis post, I went and read it.  Now I have concerns about sending the box.  I packed small cans of microwave meals (as requested) numerous single drink mixes, coffee creamer (as requested), pocket sized memo pads and some pens and a can of pringles.  No hygiene items were sent with these things.  I saved the toothpaste and laundry soap that was requested for a different box. This is all packed in a large APO flat rate box.  Is this OK?

 Also, I did not encase everything in plastic bags, well the coffee creamer was put in a single bag.  The cans were not.  Do I need to open the box and pack differently?  As I read some other topics, I understans leaking may be an issue...even with the cans?

Thank you for any help in advance.  

fireftnchick -

I think it sounds like you did a great job!  I personally don't think that canned goods need to be put in ziplocs.  If the coffee creamer is the liquid cups, I personally would put them in a plastic container (like the ziploc disposables or a tupperware-type thing), but if powder, the ziploc is probably good. 

The only think that I would mention is that oral hygiene items (like toothpaste/toothbrushes) and OTC meds that are swallowed can go in with food items...and probably should.  You don't want to have your guys brushing their teeth with laundry soap flavor - mint is much better. 

cj/

Karen, I don't think you can go wrong by extra bagging. I never thought to bag canned goods until I sent a box to my son in Iraq and he said he threw everything out because a can of Dinty Moore had "exploded"covering all the other items with stew. Now I ziplock can goods or place them in plastic grocery bags and twist the tops. This way if an item gets punctured or dented only that item needs to be thown out

OK, I was worried about that when I started reading about how some of the boxes were dropped in by helicopter to more remote locations.  My wonderful 3 yr old and 6 yr old tried to add a "do not drop" note to the box.  I thought it was cute, but I didn't think the army would...so I removed it.  OK.  I will open and repack the box today armed with more info.  Thanks so much.  I am learning quickly from reading and asking questions.

a few more questions please (sorry), since I would like to mail my first 2 boxes to my contacts tomorrow. My mother in law talks about sewing pillow cases in her quilt group for soldiers in Iraq.  Do the soldiers in Afghanistan outposts have to have a certain color pillowcases?  Can I use fun fabric (golf, sports teams, John Deere, etc) or do I need to stick to a certain color?  I have quite a stash and they are very quick to make.  I can also jam quite a few in a flat rate box along with some cool ties.  Just trying to get something kind of personal since the home made cookies would probably be thrown out (who knew).  I can't tell my boys, they will be heartbroken.

Last question (I promise).  One of the guys asked for smokeless tobacco, can that be sent or will they get in trouble for that?  I saw some ladies talking about sending cigars with cards and poker chips, but I wasn't sure about tobacco products and the rules, particularly after that post by Bettis about the absolute necessities they need first.

 Sorry about all the questions.  I just don't want to get anyone in trouble on the other end and I want to send things that can be used.

 Thanks again!!

Keep asking the questions.    There are people wanting to ask questions, and just don't.   So please ask your questions.   All of us have learned from others --- supporters, the warriors, their families --- so please keep coming with the questions.  

I had to jump in on the pillowcases.   My fingers could not bring up the site quickly enough.  First pillowcases and then smokeless tobacco.

 Please Please make up your special pillowcases.    Whatever you have will be so appreciated.   No, they do not have color requirements.   We just put up some colors, sometimes, so they will only look dirty, not filthy after a while.   LOL     They will love everything colorful you can send them.    If they even have a pillow, it does not have a pillow case, unless a family has sent them something (family includes AS people LOL).     And even if they don't have a pillow, they use the pillow cases for so many things.     They stuff clothes in them to make a pillow, and all kinds of inventive things.   Your pillow cases will highlight their lives.   I got so excited when I saw what you wrote.   THEY WILL LOVE IT.     Afghanistan COPs are very dreary places.     

Smokeless tobacco.    The more the better.   

 The last 3 weeks, I have been able to spend several hours, one on one, with redeploying 3-1 ID soldiers/troopers, with the expresses purpose of what were we doing good, what could we do better.  They would not let me even ask, "What things went wrong."

Tobacco was always in the top three things they ALL said.   We cannot get enough cigarettes and smokeless tobacco out there.    They all said, most are switching to smokeless tobacco for it's ease of use (ugh !).  No, I did not make a face, but my stomach did turn over.   My husband used copenhagen, and even though he quit 5 years before he died, I can still see that spit bottle.   Moving right along.

NO, they will not get in trouble for the tobacco.   Their command structure is working very very very hard to get  more of it for them.   They realize if they don't, the soldiers will use what is close at hand.    So, send tobacco, get others to send it.   I'm really cringing, because Sept 1, there is going to be another $1 a can tax on it in TEXAS.   So, I'm working on ways to get past that.   Can't get a definitive answer if the 501-C-3 tax code can get us past that, but I'm working on it.

the farther out the guys are, the more the tobacco and pillowcases will be so appreciated.

I'm working on summing up my discussions with the soldiers/troopers, but I've got to pay bills today.    So, soon, I'll have more on that.

Because of all the gov't regs it's hard to get any tobacco products donated, but it is possible once in a while, like outdated tins, etc.  The guys love it anyway!  Alot of people frown on my sending it but the guys are so grateful to gt it, and if it helps them thru I figure (and hope) they can quit when they get home.  When they are handing out samples at concerts etc. sometimes you can talk them into some extra freebies too (got a cpl cases once!)  After one good size package of smokes and smokless I had a note from their Lt  "you saved the sanity of a lot of soldiers", that's all the incentative I need to keep sending it even though it's spendy.

 Really looking forward to all the tips Haole, exactly what we need.  Especially what not to send!  I always ask them to let me know if things don't arrive in good shape, or if it's not a useful item for them, but none of them ever do.  They are happy to be remembered and don't want to hurt our feelings, but the last thing I want to do is clog up the mail with useless items.  We need someone like Bettis to let us know how it is, he sounds like another Michael Moad, lookin out for his guys!

Anita

I am sending a DVD player to Mendez today.

 BTW, this is my 2nd one to this particular firebase; I sent the other one in October to the last crew that were stationed there (Sgt Graddick), but I imagine (given the environment) it quit working by now.

zippy:

I am sending a DVD player to Mendez today.

 BTW, this is my 2nd one to this particular firebase; I sent the other one in October to the last crew that were stationed there (Sgt Graddick), but I imagine (given the environment) it quit working by now.

 OK, I'll send one to Ethier and we'll get them both covered!  I forget at the moment which mentioned their equipment being worn out, so likely it bit the dust.  Literally.  heh   And now I can spend a little more on Ethier's. :)  I love teamwork! ^5s :D

Christy

LT!!! Thanks so much for posting and communicating with us! It helps us so much to have good ideas what's best and helpful to send. Well, and it's a lil like Elvis has entered the building too haha We're awfully proud of you guys and appreciate so much what you do. Keeping y'all in our thoughts and prayers. Shelly