I've been mainly focusing on those with the least amount of requests so far, which is probably all of the newbies.  Reading the requests, the conditions they are in, the brief stories are all heart warming.  I'd love to give to them all.

How does everyone else choose? 

In the beginning, I had "boxes" that I tried to limit my selections to so that it wouldn't be as tempting to try to send to everyone and go bankrupt.  Since our grandson was in Iraq at the time, we put Iraq soldiers in our "box", with platoon-sized groups, and picked the ones first who said they had either no or very small PX and almost anything we sent would help them.  Many times we selected groups by entering the items we had found some affordable deals on in the search.  At times, we have just sent some badly needed items to a group when we couldn't afford to pick them up on a full-time basis.  We have done that several times with groups who just needed a little help getting set up in the beginning of their deployment.  They aren't able to get most comfort or "luxury" items, or favorite cravings, or replacement items at times, on their own, so we try to fill in until they are "stable".  We like to send to any of the emergency needs like lost luggage or fires, etc., and beginning deployments.  We have sent hundreds of packages, but many of them have been to contacts who dropped out after 2-4 months, allowing us to pick up new ones to replace them.  I have hoped that they received the help they needed and didn't feel like they needed any more . After we got a manageable number of contacts to support, I simply had to put on blinders and quit reading the other contacts' posts or else I couldn't sleep at night wanting to help more than we could.  Of course, after the Forum started and we had the opportunity to have the "eyes" of many supporters, our "box" just dissolved - LOL! 

I try to focus on just one service branch and look for smaller units that may

have been overlooked.  Anymore I pick contacts who have posted within the last week or so.

When I went back and picked some contacts that had posted a month or so ago I had some

boxes returned because they had moved on by the time I sent the package.

coniston - I'm trying to be cognizant of the last time the soldier posted as well.  The first one I sent to (and only one so far) hasn't posted since mid July and I sent the package on August 29.  I hope that she does receive it and checks in to let everyone know that they are alright. 

There have been other names I've selected as potentials but haven't requested the addresses yet because I've been gathering different supplies.  I'll make another delivery next week, maybe two but I'll wait to get the addresses until then.

I've seen so many check in over the last few days that have had their addresses requested over 20 and 30 times - even over 50!  This is absolutely fabulous!  :) 

• When I started I would pick the smallest units so I could try and help everyone in one package. But this year I have chosen the largest unit based out of Oklahoma, the state in which I live.
  

I tend to choose large groups because no one person can send them enough so they need lots of supporters. I do like for them to have posted recently. I also like to send to chaplains; maybe they have more time to deal with boxes. And maybe they represent more people.

Sometimes I look for a group that wants something I've gotten a good deal on. I have looked for groups from SC that meet these criteria, but without much luck.

Now if I can find a chaplain from SC who represents a large group and wants the stuff I've picked up. LOL (50,000 troops go through Fort Jackson for training each year, but no one ever claims to be from there.)

It all boils down to "what works for you." No right or wrong.

Mellie

I try to support men who have the same first name as my sons!

There is no right or wrong way-just chose the ones "who speak to your heart".

Right now I've been reading the most recent e-mails and looking to see if they are new or have a few requests in comparison to the number of troops they are representing.  I never request an address until I'm almost ready to send a package.  When I see one that I'm interesting in supporting I copy the information down and save it in an Excel file.  Then depending on what I've collected I'll use that as my guide to choose a soldier. 

Right now I'm focusing on dry, non-scented hygiene products that can be packed with food items.  There are so many that are requesting single serve drink mixes and healthy snacks that I want to try and comply with that.  It's also the holiday season so I want to throw in goodies that represent the season.

Recently, I haven't even been reading the new posts of anyone except the ones that I am sending to because I have been picking all of our new names from the Overlooked thread, thanks to some of you who are busily reading for me - thanks!  You all are doing me a big service posting those names for me to choose from.  Almost every time that we can squeeze one more unit in, I can find them in the Overlooked list.  Keep them posted, friends.  You are saving us hours searching names, and we appreciate it.

Not being able to send to much in the way of boxes these days, I still send letters and cards so I look for those who request letters. I also look at the Overlooked thread and like Gran very much appreciate the updates.

Where is the Overlooked thread?

That type of a thread is a great idea.  I do see some units that have a ton of requests and some in relation to their size have very little requests.

Thank you! 

EDIT:  Never mind - I found it under the Special Requests forum.  :)