Care Packages

My main focus for Words For Warriors is to send letters, poems, and artwork, however who doesn't like to receive care packages?  Some of these Warriors rely on care packages to get much need supplies because they are so far from any type of civilization and resupply comes few and far between.  When finances allow, I try to send care packages to accompany the letters.  That being said I gladly accept donations for care package items or postage.  If you put together a care package I will combine it with the letters happily mailing it.  (Just email me with your contact information.)  One box costs $11.50 to mail APO Priority Mail and an 8 X 12 envelope cost $4.50 APO Priority Mail.   Just so you know, I will never host a spaghetti feed or bake sale to pay for postage.  I will do the best I can with what I have and what I am given.  
Below I have comprised a list of the most frequently request items by soldiers.  This list will change periodically depending on weather, location, and needs of the soldiers.  Please remember if you buy something unusual to send, it must fit in a 12 X 12 X 6 box.  Thank you. 

Frequently Requested Items

Baby wipes and Hand Sanitizer (Some soldiers do not have running water)

Beef Jerky/Slim Jims

Nuts, Trail Mix, Fruit snacks, Sunflower seeds

Energy Bars
Cookies and Candy

Seasoning Salt

Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, or Propel single servings.  (Any kind of flavored powder to

mix with their water.  These are just some examples.)

Hot chocolate and Apple cider

Coffee, Coffee filters, Creamer, & Sugar  (No coffee in a can.  Not many can openers.)

Single serving Mac & Cheese, Top Ramon noodles, Popcorn (Any single serving

            Microwavable food that does not need refrigeration, or a can opener.)

Peanut butter/Nutella/Crackers

Packets of Tuna fish (no cans)

Chewing gum

AA batteries

Personal hygiene items:  Disposable razors (Mach 3 are a favorite), Shaving cream,

Toothbrush, Tooth paste, Floss, Shampoo, Conditioner, Anti-perspirant, Body wash (Axe is a favorite of the men.  Women like anything that smells good.)  Lotion (for men & women)  Feminine hygiene items

Cough drops
Eye wash/Drops (For flushing sand out of their eyes.)

Chap stick

Kleenex pocket sized

Zip Lock style plastic storage bags-assorted sizes

Air Fresheners/ Frebreze

Disposable earbuds/headphones

Band-aids

Pocket sized First-aid kit, Manicure kit, Sewing kit, and Eye glass repair kit

Socks(white gym, and warm winter socks)
Foot Powder (I love to send Anti-Monkey Butt Powder because it's name is so funny.)

Laundry soap- single use travel size and Dryer sheets

Plain envelopes, blank stationary, & black pens

Super absorbent micro fiber body towels

Hand and Foot warmers

Under Armor cold weather clothes (basically long johns), size M, L, & XL

Beanies (no logos), gloves, and scarves

Twin Sheets and Pillow cases

Blankets

Fun Stuff For Down Time

Water pistols, Light Sabers

Whoopi Cushions

Nerf footballs, baseballs, Frisbees, soccer balls (deflated), basketballs & hoops

Playing cards, Poker chips, Card games, and any other games that will fit in the box.

Puzzle books (crosswords, wordsearch, suduko, ect.)

Magazines, and Books, no matter how old.  I do cut off names & addresses if the

Magazines are delivered to your house.  Remember, there are women, so

Vogue is as welcome as Monster trucks. 

Electronics: DVD’s, games for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, and MP3 players
AT&T Phone cards & iTunes gift cards

***Anything else you can think of that might be fun.  Some of the most unexpected items are the most fun for these men and women who have such serious and dangerous jobs.  I have found they all have good sense of humors and love the unexpected.