Treats For Troops (Care Packages Ideas)

This is from treatsfortroops.com and we've been told it is ok to share.Thank you to Karen Gill! - Treats for Troops CoordinatorSample/Travel Sized toiletries are best, especially for guys in the field that have to pack their gear on their backs. All liquids and powders must be placed in ziplock bags and have other aborbent materials (i.e. magazines, newpapers, etc) packed in the box in case of leakage. I use 1 Qt Freezer Ziplock/Glad Bags and have one toiletry kit per bag. For example: 1 Shampoo, 1 Lotion, 1 Soap, 1 Deodorant, 1 Disposable Razor, 1 Toothpaste, 1 Toothbrush.An example of one of my care packages: 8 Bags of Toiletries, 3 Magazines, 6 pair of Socks, 1 Foot Powder, 8 samples Sunscreen, 1 Can Drink Mix, 2 Top Ramen Noodles, 1 Lg Bag Beef Jerky, 8 packs Chewing Gum, 6 pkgs Licorice, 2 Decks Playing Cards, 1 electronic hand-held Game, AA Batteries, 3 pair Sunglasses.Socks & Foot Powder are huge needs over there. So even if that was the only thing you sent, they'd be more than thrilled. Right now summer temperatures are taking their toll, so anything that keeps them cool is greatly appreciated. Temps in the Summer range from 100-140 Degs F. Imagine wearing a full uniform and boots in that extreme temperature!I've attached a list of the items requested by the troops. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me again.Thank You for Supporting Our Troops!God Bless America and Our Troops!!Sincerely,Karen GillTreats for Troops CoordinatorUsing USPS Priority Mail packages arrive in the Sand Box on average in 16 days.Order your USPS Priority Mail supplies from the USPS website, they'll deliver the items to your home (ALL FREE). Use No. 7 Priority Mail boxes (25 boxes per case) 12" x 12" x 8", Priority Mail Shipping Tape, Priority Mail Address Labels and Customs Forms Declaration. When you get to the website, type in the search Priority Mail Boxes, there should be 3 pages of items, No. 7 boxes are located on page 2. Go to:http://shop.usps.com/cgi-bin/vsbv/postal_store_non_ssl/home.jsp?appName=SSOLGUIDELINES FOR SENDING MAIL TO THE TROOPS:**All mail must be addressed to a specific service member. Mail addressed to "Any Service Member" will be returned to sender.**FAMILY MEMBERS WHO SEND REGULAR MAIL NEED TO USE THE SOLDIER'S FULL NAME (WITHOUT RANK), UNIT AND APO ADDRESS, AND INCLUDE A RETURN ADDRESS.**Families should not put the country or the base camp's city on the mail, officials said, because it might get sent through the host country's mail system.**Most areas of the Middle East have been authorized Free Mail for personal correspondence being sent from the service member overseas back to the U.S. However, family members sending mail to service members in a free mail zone must still include postage.**Each country has customs regulations that apply to all incoming mail. These may include prohibitions on certain kinds of food or entertainment products. Host countries mostly prohibit the entry of alcoholic beverages of any kind, narcotics, munitions, pork and pork by-products, pornography, and material contrary to the Islamic religion.**Wrap packages securely.**Liquid-filled containers tend to break.**Powdered items can open during transit causing concern over what kind of substance it is. Please pack the items in sealed plastic bags Ziplock types or Vacuum Sealed types.**Label packages properly and list all contents.One box/care package example: Boat & Car Magazines, 10 ziplocks of toiletries, 8-Rice Krispies Treats, 4-Top Ramen, 2-Cup Noodles, 10 pkgs Licorice, 1 bag Sunflower Seeds, 3 pair Sunglasses(Enough items to share with 8-10 buddies)Another creative and fun care package is:Pizza Party in a BoxAluminum Pizza PansPizza CutterMixing BowlPizza Mix in a BoxCan Sliced MushroomsCan Sliced OlivesPepperoni or Turkey PepperoniPackets of Red Pepper & Parmesan CheeseRed & White Checked Pizzaria NapkinsPlates or Small Personal Pan Pizza BoxesThe guys who received it said it was the best meal they had over there! I'm sure it brought many smiles as well as happy taste buds to all the guys/gals. They'll find an oven somewhere, where there's a will there's a way! Some have cooked it on the pan on a bbq grill, they'll find a way. I think it would be easy and fun to send Pizza Hut personal pan boxes over. Just to remind them of home.More Themed Care Packages“Surviving the Sandstorms”- Eye wash; Nasal spray; Chapstick; Bandana; goggles/sun glasses; etc“Laundry Load”- Laundry soap (‘sample size’ or Tide tablets kind) to pack in with their clothes….in case there are no washer/dryers; Fabric softener sheets; clean socks and undershirts; Febreeze“Lotta Java”- Tea; Cocoa; Coffee singles; creamer; sugar; International Coffee tins; cookies for dunking in coffee“Thanks a Million!!”- Things that may “seem” expensive. Ex: Grey Poupon; electronic game of “Who wants to be a Millionaire?”; .“Hang in There!”- Stuffed animal monkey; Banana bread; Banana chips; Banana pudding (the kind that doesn’t have to be refrigerated); Monkey’s in a Barrel game; card with a monkey on it.“A Day at the Beach!”- sunscreen; beach towel; beach snacks; flip flop sandals (shower shoes); aloe vera gel;“Medicine Cabinet”- aspirin; band-aids; Neosporin cream; A&D ointment; cold medicine; alka seltzer; Rolaids; etc.“Staying Healthy”- nutrition/health bars (ex: Powerbar; Tigers Milk; Myoplex); vitamins; Nutri-grain bars; Gatorade or other sports drink (to stay hydrated);“MRE/Mess Hall Survival Kit”- restaurant size condiment packs of: bbq sauce, mustard, ketchup, mayo, relish, salt. Pepper, taco sauce, ranch, cheese in a can dip, etc“Correspondence Carton”- notebook paper; stationery; pens; pencils; stickers (who knows they may even play with these!!); envelopes, address book (filled out already of course); camera (with a note to send back once it is full);“Action Hero’s”- Powerbars; squirt guns; Red Bull drinks; small Army figurines; comic books; Gatorade; Red Bull drinks; etc“To Be A Kid Again”- silly string; bubbles; small bouncy balls; hacky sacks; brain teaser toys (rubix cube, etc); deck of cards; dominoes; slinky, Frisbee’s; Pez w/ dispenser; Nerf balls; sand box toys (pail, small shovel, etc);“Bathroom in a Box”- TOILET PAPER!!! (the soft stuff); razor refills; foot powder; bars of soap; fresh, clean, soft washcloth; travel size shampoo/conditioner; toothpaste; toothbrush; etc“Ruck Sack Snack Pack”- packed full of your loved one’s favorite snacks….possibilities endless. Doritos; M&M’s; nuts; chips; dips; crackers; jelly beans; beef jerky; gum; etc.“Breakfast on the GO”- mutrigrain bars; instant oatmeal cups; small boxes of cereal; pop tarts; Hostess donuts: Otis Spunk Meyer muffins; cocoa; coffee; Tang;“Tube O Tasties”- Just as something different…send a package in a tube instead of a square box. Make sure the parameters are acceptable though.“Stress Reliever”- back scratcher; bubble wrap; yo-yo’s; bubbles; squeezy tension ball;“Sloppy Kisses”- since we know chocolate melts over there….send a bunch of Hershey’s kisses. Bound to be “sloppy kisses!”“I’m Nuts About You”- peanuts; cashews; pistachios; peanut butter cookies; any candy or cookies with nuts in them; Nutter Butter’s; Peanut Lover’s Chex mix; Fiddle Faddle with peanuts“Rock On” or “Charlie ROCK”- pop rocks; music cd’s“Chili Today, Hot Tamale”- hot tamales (candy); small cans of chili; red pepper flakes (like the ones at pizza parlors); salsa sunflower seeds; Cajun flavor Pringles; Spicy chex mix; Boston red hots; peppered beef jerky; taco bell hot sauce packets; Extreme Doritos; chili powder; nacho cheese sauce in a can; Tums/Rolaids , Jalapeño Ritz;“And this little piggy went to the sandbox”- (foot care kit)- foot powder; Dr, Scholl’s boot inserts; foot lotion; foot file; fresh, clean socks; toe nail clippers;scrub brush; odor eater balls for shoes/boots; foot soaks (either include a small bucket or large Ziploc bags to soak feet it)“How do you eat your OREOS??!!”- regular Oreos; peanut butter Oreos; double stuff Oreos; low fat Oreos; chocolate filled Oreos; chocolate covered Oreos; holiday Oreos“Muchas Gracias…Nachos Supreme”- Doritos &/or Fritos &/or any corn tortilla chips; Mexican Velveeta; salsa (wrapped in bubble wrap); small can of olives (don’t forget the can opener); bean dip; nacho cheese dip; small can of green chilies; jar of jalapenos (wrapped in bubble wrap); taco seasoning; small paper plates or bowls (so they can make their nachos); taco sauce (especially easy are those condiment packets from Taco Bell); You could also send the sauces from the various Mexican dinner kits (they also have tortilla’s in those dinner kits that are sealed so they would probably get there without molding or drying out); Taco Bell Nacho Supreme kit“Sweet Tooth”- Nerds; Gummy Bears; Laffy Taffy; Bubble Gum; Tootsie Rolls; Lolli pops; (any candy that won’t melt)“Pamper Party” (for females)- Feminine hygiene products; shampoo/conditioner; hair barrettes and scrunchies (same color as their hair); facial scrub &/or soap; facial mask; lotion; shower gel; razors; facial moisturizer; tweezers; nail care kit; toner; special facial products (alpha hydroxy; eye cream; etc);“Congrats on your promotion”- congratulation party favors; all your loved ones favorites snacks; sparkled cider (wrapped in bubble wrap of course); etc.“For the Fisherman”- Goldfish crackers; tuna pouches; canned smoked salmon; cans of sardines; gummy worms; Go Fish card game; Field & Stream magazine; electronic fishing rod game; Sponge Bob Square Pants stuffed toy; fishing game toy (made by several different toy companies. Has a small fishing pole with a magnet on the end. Fish have magnets on their mouths);“Say CHEEEESE!”- disposable cameras; cheese dip; Doritos; Cheetos; Cheese nips; Better Cheddars; Velveeta;“Kick Back & Relax”- Dominoes; playing cards; magazines; books; music cd’s; crossword puzzles; jigsaw puzzles; word searches; hand held electronic games; squirt guns; water balloons; bubbles; hacky sacks; Nerf balls; board games (Axis & Allies, Clue, Trivial Pursuit, etc);“Christmas in July”- wrap everything in Christmas wrapping paper; peppermint flavored hard candies;“Italian Stallion”- Italian cheese Ghardetto’s; Pizza-licious Pringles; Pepperoni pizza Combo’s; small Boboli pizza bread; pizza sauce (for dipping Boboli); canned Ravioli, spaghetti, lasagna, etc;“American Classics”- Pez with dispensers; Cracker Jacks; Lifesavers; Necco Wafers; Pop Rocks; Nerds; Good & Plenty; Candy Necklaces; Candy cigarettes“Deployed on Thanksgiving”- canned turkey; instant mashed potato cups; hard breadsticks; gravy in a jar (wrapped in bubble wrap); Hostess apple pies; small can of corn (or other veggie); something special to cheer them up on Thanksgiving (pictures from home; magazines; tape recorded tape; small scrapbook; etc)ITEMS SOLDIERS HAVE FREQUENTLY REQUESTED FOR:1. Easy Mac & Cheese2. Tuna in a Pouch3. Hearty Soups/Stews4. Beef Jerky/Beef Sticks5. Any can food you can warm up like soupTOILETRIES & PERSONAL ITEMS (travel size where applicable):After shave lotionAntibiotic creamBaby powderBaby wipesBig bath towel & wash cloth (dark colors only)Black Kiwi cream shoe polish (paste only)Blister padsBoot powder,Breath mintsBug Repellent & Mosquito CoilsCarmex (tub style) Wal-Mart $1Chilly willies (these can be used as cold and hot compresses too)http://web.cetlink.net/~angel111/chillywilly/Chilly%20Willy%20Neckties.htmClorox/antibacterial wipes - for surfacesCombs, brushesComfort bath body towelettes (one pkg. Is 2 complete body baths)Cot organizerCotton ballsDental flossDeodorant, sample sizeDisposable camerasDisposable razorsDr. Scholl's footpadsDust masksEmergency toothache kit.Eye drops Wal-Mart $1EyewashFace cleaning wet padsFacial tissueFeminine Hygiene ProductsFly swattersGel insolesGold Bond (for feet)Hand Warmers (little bag type warmers)Hand/body lotion (unscented)Imodium pills, ibuprofen, aspirin, cough drops, etcInsect Repellent, Wal-Mart $4 OR SKIN SO SOFT (Avon)Lip balm with sunscreen, also handy in winterLiquid antibacterial soapMedicated foot powderMouth wash - Walgreen's OR Wal-Mart sample display $1 (make sure itdoesn't contain alcohol)Nail file and clipperOdor Eaters (for boots)Parachute cord or small line for laundryPersonal cooling system from Sharper ImagePlastic bags, trash and zip lockQ-tipsRolaids or TumsSaline Nasal SprayShampoo & conditioner, sample sizesShaving cream, individual use sachets are greatShower shoesSingle use cold compressesSkin Softeners (moisturizes)Soap or body washSoap, for body and clothes Wal-Mart samples aisle 2/$1Socks, whiteT-shirts, undershirts, whiteSolar showerSports cream or ben-gaySqueeze breezeStandard bed pillow / case (dark colors only) you can roll pillow to squeeze out all the air and secure with shipping tape to keep it small for shipping.Sunglasses (wrap around)Sunscreen/SUNBLOCK - even in winter, the sun can be harshThermal UnderwearToilet paper/tissueToothpaste & toothbrush Walgreen’s has a small Colgate with a compact covered brush for $1T-shirtsUnderwearVaseline skin care lotionVitamins, multi, c, zinc, b-12, etcWash clothWaterless antibacterial hand soapWet onesWool/cotton blend or 100% cotton men's socks (dark solid colors onlyblack, dark green, blue or gray, men’s size 10-13)Zinc oxideZiploc bags- dollar tree has these for $1 a box and the ones with zippers are excellent! FOOD:Any kind of prepackaged snack foodsApple Cider Mix PacketsApplesauce in pouchesBeef JerkyBeef summer sausageBreakfast and granola barsBrowniesCandies that travel well, like gummy bears and licorice and trail mixCandy CanesCanned chips, pringles, Single serve bags of chips,Canned soup, any canned food they love - without porkCereal, Single Size BoxesCheese CrackersCheese in a canChex mix, individual packetsChips, individual packetsChocolate – any kind that travels wellChocolate BiscuitsChocolate drink mixesCoca Cola and other soft drinks in Plastic BottlesCoffee, creamer and sugar, in individual packetsCoffee, Instant and flavored coffee mixesCookiesCountry time lemonade sweetened powdersCracker JackCrackers - Triscuits and Ritz crackers are greatCrunch & MunchCup Of NoodlesDried FruitEasy CheeseFast food condiments (Hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepperpackets, relish, Mayo)Fresh breeze or other throat lozengesFruit Roll UpsFruit, Canned For One in Pull Back LidsGatoradeGranola BarsGumHard CandiesHot Chocolate, individual servesJelly, individual packsJuice in pouches or boxes (CAPRI SUN, ETC)Kool aid, pre-sweetenedKraft Easy Mac,LicoriceLife Saver CandyLittle Debbie snack cakesLunch box size-Jolly Ranchers have been suggested)Lunchables (non-refrigerated)Mini Marshmallows for Hot Choc. Mix (and for packing material)Non-melting candy, gum, marshmallows, lollipopsNoodle packets, instantNuts, individual packsOatmealOreo CookiesPop TartsPopcorn, Microwave packs (some units have access to microwaves)Powdered hot chocolatePowdered sugared drink mixes (Gatorade, Kool-Aid, sweetened ofcourse, etc.)PretzelsPringlesPudding For OneRagu ExpressRaisins - HEB has a bag of tiny packs for $1Ramen SoupRavioli, Canned with pop top/ pull back lidsRice Krispie TreatsSalad dressing & any other sauces they can use to dress up their MREsSalsa and corn chips of course! Bean and cheese dips are a favorite!Sardines Shoe String Potato Sticks in a CanSlim JimsSoup, Instant or cannedSpices (Onion powder, garlic powder, spice all, etc)Sunflower Seeds, individual packsTea - powdered lemon tea or Iced Tea MixTea bagsThroat LozengesTostitos Snack Packs (especially for our Texas guys!)Trail mixTuna Snack KitsTuna, in pouch or cans with pop top/ pull back lidsTurkey breast in pouch or cans with pop top/ pull back lidsWater – bottled drinking waterFREE TIME MATERIALS.Address BooksAir mattressBalloonsBandannasBannersBaseball capsBatteries (like AA, AAA, etc)Battery powered fan for cotBirthday decorationsBoard games (chess, checkers, Monopoly, etc.)BooksCrossword BooksDartboardsDisposable camera – include a padded mailer with the appropriatepostage so that they can mail it back to you for developingElectronics hand held gamesEnvelopesFilmFlashlight w/red lensesFrisbeesHackie sacksJoke booksJournalsJump ropesKey chains games and puzzlesMagazines (wrestling, boxing, fitness magazines, sports magazines, comic books, Mad, Field & Stream, Guns & Ammo, Outdoor Life)Mini hand held fansMini or full size foam footballs and basketballsNewly released movies, movies you tape from cable or TV programs (pornography is not allowed)NewspapersNotepadsPaper and envelopesPatriotic Stickers or Bumper StickersPensPhone cardsPlaying CardsPocketknifePortable CD playersPost cards from your home statePuzzlesRadio headsetsSidewalk chalkSilly puttySingle sheet sets (sets such as spongebob are a hoot!)SlinkySmall Photo AlbumsStampsStress ball.Tiny Christmas Trees With DecorationsToys and Games…anything extra silly.Travel Board GamesTrivia BooksWalkman radioWord puzzle booksYo Yo's