What do I do with this, what do I send?....are you listening?

The best advice I give to people that want to send things to servicememebers is first, stay within a budget. The last thing we want is you to be between a rock and a hard spot, especially now.

Send when you can and send the items that matter the most.  That brings me to probably the ,most important meat of this, “What are really important items to send”?

The below are items I have found to be most beneficial:

-Wetwipes (have you ever used toilet paper that has sat on the port a john floor? OR been without TP?)

Body soap (when we do get showers-for all that is holy use liquid soap)

Lotion (it’s a hasrsh environment-give your skin some love)

Neosporin (cuts are continuous-need to treat as soon as you get em-lots of nasty germs there)

AA Batteries (ONE Million uses)

Nail clippers (It’s the basic things that make you happy)

Socks (http://www.moabsports.com/web-pid-CS502-Footguard-Copper-Sole-Over-the-Calf-Health-Crew-WIth-Natural-Foot-item.htm)

1” Small paint brushes (to brush flour like dirt off of weapons)

Coffee & coffee filters (need more coffee) AND you can go to any Starbucks, buy the stuff & they will donate to the cause!

Shaving cream (do you see any of the news pics? It’s not like Iraq, there are no stores in the crappy areas or really at all)

Razors i.e. Mach 3 & razor blades (disposable razors are bad)

Electric Razors are the bomb because, you don’t need blades and they can be recharged without batteries AND you don’t have to use water when its 32 degrees. Here are some good ones:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10652013

Peak 1 squad stoves to heat water (hello coffee)

Adaptors to make British (big three pronged ones) plugs turn into US plugs

Chef B Or Dee in a can (MREs get old after the 1^st one & are hell on your gut)

"Foam in a can" stuff to plug any water leaks in our makeshift roof

 Hand warmer things (lets face it, its gonna be freezing pretty much all the time)

These are a few items that will give us the biggest bang for the buck vis sending this and that. I can tell you from receiving all kinds of things, its better you know WHAT we really need instead of sending things that may seem good to have vis need to have.

Lets face it you  are busy. You have a million things going on, the kids are got to get here & there, the dog is chewing your shoe, the grass needs to be cut again before winter and I could go on & on here. I get it. If you don’t have toime to do all the support package stuff, send cash to organizations like www.anysoldier.com They  can send us things that we need and have in the last few of my deployments. They sent my unit 150 electirc razors in Iraq. Man, that was HUGE as we spread loaded them to all the units. The guys really enjoyed them and were blown away by the support. So if you don’t have the time to get a package together, send the resources to the guys that can make it happen for you at www.anysoldier.com. Check out some of their work here: http://anysoldier.com/NoteToSupporters.cfm

This is a great site that helps you get the stuff to your warriors. Thanks for thinking of us and sending some items that will make life a bit more comfortable.

Comments

[Anon]

You forgot HAND SANITIZER! That's the #1 thing you've asked me for on every deployment.

[BJ]

And Glitter and Melted Easter Bunnies...how could you forget those!!!...
Seriously...how about insoles for boots? Deep Heat, cough drops ?

[Maj Pain]

Yes hand sanitizer is king!

[seaurchin]

I was looking around the net to check out the stoves. I see a variety of styles of Peak 1 stoves, but nothing with 'squad' in the name.

Are you OK with any single burner stove, as long as it uses a certain kind of fuel? If so, what fuel?

Or, if there is a specific stove, can you give us a link or links?

THANKS!

[Maj Pain]

There are several kinds of stoves out there. But the key is fuel. Here is one that works well but is on the pricy side http://cascadedesigns.com/MSR/Stoves/Fast-And-Light-Stoves/WhisperLite/product

[Maj Pain]

lol getting grief about my address.....sorry, I will [post one on AnySoldier very soon. Just been moving around lately. Thanks for all ofyour patience-

[k9gs]

If you don't do it soon, you will be home before the mail catches up w/you. Mail is taking a very long time in the Stan due to the situation. If we start now by the time you get somewhere you will have mail!

How do you ship the fuel for the stoves? Isn't that a hazard?

[seaurchin]

k9gs, it looks like the stove will burn white gas (often people will substitute unleaded gas), kerosene, and diesel.

They should be good to go on fuel for it. :)

Now, about the price......

[mindy1]

i go to a pro military group that sends packages

[Ty Lynn Patterson]

Hey. I am a Soldier's Angels community team leader here in Texas. Any soldier can sign up for adoption with us and get letters and care packages for the term of his deployment. It's worth checking out all the wonderful things we do to support our warriors! www.soldiersangels.org

[Sylvar Deskins]

I love sending packages to the troops! I have met some amazing people doing that. Sometimes they are cool with just an email here and there (if they have access) and some photos, simple things to make the time go by...but I truly love sending packages and can not wait for XMas time! I mainly send snacks and hygine (I am going to be sending a bunch of those WISP's; the mini ready to use toothbrushes, on my next shipment to the troops) products....Any Soldier and Adopt A US Soldier are the two sites I use and have sent out so many packages! It is just great to do a small part by most, but it really does count in BIG ways.

[Kilo Alpha]

I hear ya. Jim B. is sending his junk drawer again and told me to do the same.Mine is really cool.

[AFSister]

I usually go to the dollar store and clear out all of the 90% off table. Hey- every deployed Marine needs plastic flowers and expired candy bars!

But seriously... thanks for the list, MP! It really is helpful to know EXACTLY what to send. I hate to waste my money on things that aren't useful. (unless, of course, we're talkin' about Strawberry Shortcake dolls and fuzzy pink slippers. EVERY Marine needs those!)

[jim b]

Jeeze one "sending my junk drawer joke" and I pay for it forever.

Kilo Alpha you are a booger!

[Steve]

Gulf War I we found the uses of Dr Bronners liquid soaps to be enormous. Tweezers, Firestarters, Duc-tape,

and yes Hand Sanitizers for guys in fighting units will help deal with the mental security after handling very very unpleasing stuff. Small habachi grills (just the rack not the stove) can be tucked away and used to cook on in a pinch. Electrolyte drink powders as well.

Junk food like slim jims were very comforting. Summer sausages, oreos etc.

Semper Fi A/Weapons plt 1/8 87-93

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