A personal challenge from hurricanedude, please help!

[hurricanedude]

MUCH BETTER...up to 15 now...keep them coming....still have thousands to go!!!

[Jack8631]

PM received..thanks! I'll put a care package in the mail this week.

[breeze]

Gotcha, Dude.....thanks!

[CFL]

You can PM me with a couple of names. I love to write letters! Any branch of the military is fine with me.

[yoda]

You can do the same with me... PM me anyone from any branch...

[hurricanedude]

sent

[stormie]

...thinking about what to send... So what are some appropriate things to send? For sure:

- letter
- card

What kind of care packages are people sending?

[hurricanedude]

hard candy, cds, dvd, nuts, chips, toiletry, eyedrops, sunscreen Tshirts...L and XL...gum.....beef jerkey. slim jims...ETC

[hurricanedude]

Baby Wipes - great for taking a field bath - packets are better than tubs
Beef Jerky/Slim Jims
Energy Bars (Power Bar, etc.)
Hot Sauce (Tabasco, Red Devil, etc.) - wrap glass bottle in duct tape and place in doubled zip-lock bags
Sunflower seeds
Peanuts
Seasoning Salt (Lawry's, etc.)
Atomic Fireballs / Jolly Rancher hard candy
Powdered Energy/Electrolyte Replacement Drink Mix (Gatorade, etc.)
Chewing Gum
Avon Skin So Soft - great for removing face paint and also reputed to be an effective bug repellant (the latter seems variable based on personal experience and reports)
AA-cell Alkaline Batteries
Personal Hygiene Gear: Disposable Razors, Toothbrush and Tooth Paste
Eye Wash / Drops (Visine, etc.) for flushing dust and sand out of the eyes
Zip-Lock style Plastic Storage Bags - assorted sizes, heavier freezer style are better
Copenhagen Snuff in a tin ("Even if the service member doesn't dip snuff, they will be a hero and have more power than the Commanding Officer if they have a 'log' (10 cans) of 'Hagen.' A large percentage of infantry use this stuff and it is hard to get. The stuff they do get comes in a plastic can and tastes terrible. The 'Stateside Hagen' is the most powerful bargaining tool in a field environment!")
Pre-paid Phone Card so service member can call home

[USCG_Hurricane_Watcher]

Anything for our deployed Coasties? We're over there, too...

[GulfBreezer]

Dude..........

Send me one too, it really doesn't matter but if anyone is from the Ft walton Beach/ Pensacola area that would be good. I could give local updates. Anything I can do to help my friend! After all, it is because of them that I can sleep well at night

[hurricanedude]

ok, thats 30 soldiers now...keep it up!!
PS..several members are wanting to support more than one...you can have as may as you want!! But please be sure to write to each!

[hurricanedude]

closing in on 100 soldiers now...thanks all....and for those who havent got your soldier yet, PM me...I will even send you a stamp!!

[Brent]

PM me one... I'm not picky about the branch. This is a great idea.

[alicia-w]

something to consider regarding packages:

How to send:
(Updated Tuesday, May 24, 2005.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Customs Forms
(Information below was sent by Sue Brennan, Public Relations, U.S. Postal Service Headquarters on 15 Mar 2005):
All APO/FPO ZIP Codes have a "B" restriction which states that the custom form 2976-A is required for all mail weighing 16 ounces or more. In addition, mailers must properly complete required customs documentation when mailing any potentially dutiable mail addressed to an APO/FPO regardless of weight.
Custom Declaration requirements for APO/FPO addresses are defined by restriction codes, and these are listed in every Postal Bulletin under the "Overseas Military Mail" article and can be found at http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/2 ... /apo8.html

Additional information can be found at http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/welcome.htm.

The Customs forms are available at your post office.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

USPS Military Care Packages
(Information below was sent by Sue Brennan, Public Relations, U.S. Postal Service Headquarters on 15 Mar 2005):
For military families, associations and groups preparing to send care packages to service members overseas, Priority Mail is the packaging of choice. To address the current demand, the Postal Service has created a special "kit" that contains the necessary mailing materials based on the most popular items ordered to send care packages to the troops.
This free kit may be ordered by calling 1-800-610-8734 and requesting CAREKIT04. The kit contains five each of Priority Mail Box-4, Priority Mail Box-7 and Mili-Pac Tyvek envelopes / one roll of Priority Mail tape / and ten customs forms with envelopes.

Dimensions for Priority Mail Box-4: 7 x 7 x 6 (in inches)
Dimensions for Priority Mail Box-7: 12 x 12 x 8 (in inches)
Dimensions for the Mili-Pac: 12 x 15 (in inches) (Tyvek envelope)


All care packages must be addressed to INDIVIDUAL SERVICE MEMBERS as per the Department of Defense. The Mili-Pac features detailed addressing information and it is encouraged that that process is followed for all mail destined for military units overseas. The address block on the Mili-Pac includes Service member full name; Rank or rating; Military organization or unit; APO/FPO (Air/Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office) with 9-digit ZIP Code. See graphic attached.

A detailed description of contents is required on the customs form. Do not list items such as “food,” “medicine,” “toiletries,” “gifts,” or other general terminology. The contents of APO/FPO mail follow International mailing requirements. Flammables, corrosives, toxins and other dangerous goods are not permitted. Some of those items include perfumes, colognes, hairspray, matches, butane, flea and tick collars and sprays, shaving cream, and other aerosols, some cleaning agents, paints, etc.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How do you address the packages?
Exactly as shown on each page in "Where to Send". Example:
SGT Johnny B. Rock
Attn: Any Soldier
HHC, 123rd Grenade Repair Bn
APO AE 09999
Of course, the above is a bogus address, only to give you an idea that military addresses don't look like yours. We even got an email from a supporter who said a mail clerk would not take their package because the address did not have a street address in it. That clerk won't be working for us anytime soon...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Insured and Registered?
If you send insured or registered, soldiers have to go to their base camp to get these items and they may not go there very often at all, but this depends on the unit. This is a difficult call, however. Before you send something expensive, we recommend that you ask the folks you are sending to what they suggest. Every unit faces a different situation. However, if it is expensive, insure it!
The APO and/or USPS has a theft problem. The scam is someone removing expensive items from packages and resealing the package like nothing happened. Soldiers are actually getting empty boxes! If your package contains an expensive item, insure it! Talk to your postal clerk on the best way to hide the contents of an expensive item to avoid notice and being stolen. Packages that do not call attention to themselves (see notes on Customs form next), and are wrapped very well, are less likely to be broken into. I also suggest that you send a letter seperate from the package addressed TO the soldier (leave off the "ATTN" line) making them aware of the package. It is interesting that there have been no known thefts of insured items.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Letters?
There is not one thing on this site, or anywhere, that requires you to send stuff. Letters are THE MOST requested thing by these soldiers. So, all you need do is send a normal letter in a normal envelope with a normal stamp.
Good ideas: If you want, put your email address in your letter, many soldiers can and prefer to reply that way. What to write? Too easy: like you are talking to a friend, because that is what that soldier is going to be real quick. It is also VERY helpful if you leave your full return address as part of your letter, envelopes tend to get trashed quickly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Large Mailings
If you organize a really large effort such as KMZR, Raytheon, the IRS or others have done, PLEASE do not send more than about 5 packages a day to any one address. The soldiers simply do not have the facilities for very large quantities of packages. Spread out the sending, please!!

[pojo]

It is awesome to have care packages! I'll be on the front side of those boxed pretty soon!

Anyways send a AF person please

[SouthernWx]

Hey Dude, send me a couple names....prefer one USAF and one US Army.

Thanks,
Perry

[GrimReaper]

What a great way to show support and prayers through more than just putting the "military ribbons" on our cars!!! I always wondered how you could get a "Service" penpal. Please count me in, thanks for the opportunity, DUDE.

[Windsong]

I'll take two. Any branch.

Thanks,
Windsong

[furluvcats]

Waiting for HD to assign me my military man! lol I asked for a son, my oldest child is a boy, and any branch will be great!