Is it better to send individual packages or just send everything mixed in bigger boxes for them all to share? I want to send care packages so that each member of the troop gets their own box with a letter inside. If I am shipping them all seperately to the main contacts name, how do I indicate that the others are to be disbursed amongst the other troops?

I appreciate any feedback, I'm pretty new to this & don't wanna screw it up!

Thanks!

Either way works, but if your intent is to have each individual have their own box, this is what I have done in the past. I choose a contact that had fewer soldiers they were sharing with. Then I would pack small boxes with a note inside each one, but put all the little boxes inside a larger one asking the contact person to pass them out, which they would most likely do anyway as they share everything. Sometimes for fun I would put a label on the outside of the box that indicated it was for the soldeir who had the biggest smile, or the one who snored the loudest etc...If you send the smaller boxes indivudally and make sure to put Attn: anysoldier under the contact name the contact person should now to pass it out unopened to someone. When I first started with AS long about 5 years ago or so I always mailed smaller individual boxes, until postage went up and I discovered the flat rate boxes. I have made individual baggies that included a note in each one to be passed out or with holidays coming have fixed individual stockings and such. Sometimes I pack a community box of items to be shared and a individual card for each contact. If you are with a unit for their whole deployment often you learn individual names from the contact person and then can even personalize further.  Don't worry about screwing it up..you can't, they all share and what one can't use or doesn't like someone else does, nothing gets wasted...There is a lot of info on the site about what and how to send plus a lot of input from other junkies!  Welcome to the site and happy shopping!

Daniel,

Hi and welcome, and enjoy your mission.

There are a couple of ways that your goal can be accomplished, but in the end, it is still up to the contact that you send to as to how they handle it. 

One previous contact who was a chaplain had the supporters put things into separate boxes, baggies or whatever with notes or letters or cards so that he could do just that thing - hand out one package to separate individuals.  If you are sending large items that would take up the entire box, you would just have to write a note to the contact and put it inside the box and trust that he read it.  Sometimes the contact gives the unit permission to go ahead and open anything with Any Soldier on it and help themselves.  Some contacts want to give each person liberty to choose and swap or barter anything that is in the box.  You might have to establish connections with a contact ahead of time and ask if that would be acceptable to them.  It would work if you found an officer who hands off the packages in order of who he sees has the greater need for connection with someone at home.  Many of the contacts don't show their rank, but anyone from SSG up would be a good one to do that for you.

GA Junkie,

Sorry I stepped on your toes.  I think and type slowly, so your message wasn't there when I started typing.

Gran, no problem, I didn't feel a thing! 

First of all....THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS!  

Number one rule in packaging is not to mix food and hygiene items in the same box... (Food ends up tasting like soap when it gets there!)...and double and triple bag liquids!!!

Number two....there are no hard and fast rules on whether you pack several boxes within one box or everything together.  There is no rule that you must send to each individual...but it is certainly nice of you!!!   I would make sure to put in a note to the contact and perhaps a big note inside of the box and lay it on top explaining that there is a box for each person inside.  I have made gift baggies (with factory sealed individual items) for large groups, one for each person before, and explained that to the contact.  The package will be inspected by the military before it is passed out. (No alcohol, pork(for middle east),etc.....A lot of these questions are answered on the Any Soldier FAQ page at the top....also many questions are answered on the forum...simply type in the subject and you should find an answer.  If not...there are many knowledgable any soldier junkies that are happy to help you!!

Lots of boxes can get expensive....the large flat rate boxes can be sent for $11.95 and can hold up to 70 pounds!   If what you are sending is light...like drink packets...etc. I would go with boxes that are weighed for the postage amount.

Most of the time it is easier to transport smaller boxes...bigger boxes may be left until there is room for it on the resupply convoy. If going with individual boxes, a note inside stating that it is for an individual soldier would probably suffice.  However you send it, I am sure that you will create smiles!!!

 I sent a guitar to Iraq once....pretty big box...pretty big postage !! (they measured it with a tape measure)...got there fairly quickly, but it was a pretty big base that it was going to.   Small bases will probably take longer.

Hello Mr Killgore - about box size, cost etc. There used to be a surcharge if the box exceeds a certain size.  Haven't sent one of those in a while.  'A certain size' means total wideth length and girth exceeding a certain number of inches.  100 and some.  If u search the USPS site u should be able to find it.  I have paid it once or twice in the past when I shipped good quality wooden hangars and other things  to units that asked for them - for men's pants/suits - etc taht wouldn'tfit in anything the PO had to offer.  Anyway, u might want to check before u get to the PO and are surprised with the shipping weight plus a surcharge.

 I have sent seven or eight large video boxes packed with a surprising number of items including rolled Ts and socks as well as other items in one 12 x 12 USPS box and also multiple video boxes in the large FRB.  There are several size video boxes available thru the PO - all for free.  Buying items in bulk can save u a lot when you send individual boxes for each member of a unit.  I had one contact that I supported this way thru his entire deployment.  One month I'd send food another month hygiene gear.  It gets pretty expensive if u don't buy bulk - meaning large boxes of pop tarts, snack bars, bags of candy, etc or hygiene items - all availabel at the discount places like BJ's, Sam's Costco's Party Stores etc.  If you put the same thing in each box it also helps a lot in filling out the customs form - ie: 8 deoderants, 8 toothpastes, etc:).  Then I'd tape a card addressed to each Soldier on top of each video box.

 Hope this helps.  Don't forget the Craft stores where u can get packs of cards for a $1.00 a pac sometimes 2 for a $1.00.  And all sorts of other toys for $1.00 a piece. Although a $1.00 apiece adds up fast when u r buying for lots of people.

Have fun - u may be getting lots of mail.  Don't forget to include some Any Soldier postcards and pens:).

Ann

PS Forgot to mention - I've also used those plastic pencil boxes they sell for 50 cents or a dollar when school supplies go on sale.  A regular size bag of coffee fits in there really nicely.  So cigars, drink mix, etc etc and everything stays nice and fresh.  If you find ones with handles, they make great boxes to take to the shower:).

Daniel, I have sent larger boxes than the Lg flat rate. Large enough to fit 4  large pillows and some Lacrosse sticks. They mark them SAM ( space available mail) which means they may not make it on the plane if there is limited room. They do measure the box and charge accordingly. Also be mindful that some troops have to carry these boxes back to their quarters so I try not to make them too heavy. heaviest package I sent was 19 lbs. I usually stay away from flat rate boxes since it is usually cheaper where I live to use non flat rate.

Diane

Hi Daniel,

I live in the midwest, so Flat rate boxes it is for me...I have contacts that I send items to individually with some things in enough quantity to share if he chooses.  For example, I sent him a pillow case I sewed for hime with his favorite sports team and sent the pillow direct from Kohls.  I sent trail mix bars-enough for everyone.  hard candy for him to pass out to the local children and...a microwave for the unit.  Not as expensive as you think really.  I hit an AMAZING deal at Kohls with bonus buys, an extra 30% off and free shipping direct to the APO and no tax since it was an APO address.  So for that contact in particular, I send lots of personal letters and e-mails, but also items for the unit as well.

For some units I send spices, food, drink mixes for everyone to share.  I try to send enough baby wipes and hygiene items for eveyone so I prefer trial sizes to get more bang for my buck and more fits in the boxes.  I also like to send a "fun" item so I send cards, a remote control spider got in one box and other things my kids pick out make their way in too.  I send newspapers and magazines as well for everyone to share to help people keep in touch with what is happening back home.

So basically, if I have developed a personal relationship with a contact (i.e. letters, e-mails, etc), the boxes tend to be more personal, though there is usually something in there to share with everyone. Otherwise, I tend to pick smaller units to provide enough for everyone. 

Clear as mud right??  I think everyone has their own way of thinking and doing things.  You do what feels right to you.