This is a follow-up to my diary earlier this week exhorting you all to send care packages to the troops via AnySoldier.com. A friend of DailyKos over in Iraq, CPT Matt Larson, has agreed to distribute the packages to those in his unit who are not receiving mail.
The deadline for CPT Larson's unit is November 1, so let's get some stuff out to him! You can also take the opportunity to ship a box to another soldier listed on AnySoldier.com.
Who, what, where, when, why, etc. below the flip, along with a glamour shot of the items I've prepared for my own care packages!
Where To Send:
Send Packages To:
CPT Matt Larson
ATTN: Anysoldier
C CO 15BSB
2BCT 1CD
FOB Prosperity
APO AE 09348
Matt gave permission to post his address to expedite the process. Otherwise, you can go to AnySoldier.com and request an address of someone registered there. The address will be sent to you via email. You can only request two a day. The troops there have listed items that they'd really like to receive, from boots to books to candy. Whether you'd like to send something practical that the government doesn't seem to be providing, or something fun to lift their spirits, go for it!
How To Send:
Go to the Post Office and pick up a Flat-Rate box. The box itself is free, so you can grab one, fill it up, and bring it back to pay for shipping later.
Shipping isn't expensive. The "flat rate priority envelope" costs $4.60, and the two "flat rate priority boxes" cost $8.95. Weight and distance don't matter, just fill up the box and seal it. You can get a surprising amount of stuff in, even in the flat rate envelope. Look for the boxes with the red-stamped "FLAT RATE" on them. You will have to fill out a customs form, but these are available at the PO and only require minimal information. Boxes will arrive in 10-14 days at this time of year (i.e. non-Holiday).
If you write "DK" on the front corner of the box, like you see below, Matt will know where they came from.
Past packages sent by Kossacks to the troops overseas.
What To Send:
Commonly Requested Items:
Cotton Socks | Magazines |
Women’s Cotton Underwear | CD’s |
Men’s Cotton Underwear | DVD’s |
Tampons | Crossword / Puzzle / Sudoku Books |
Sanitary Napkins | Paperback Books |
Shampoo | Sketchbooks and Pencils |
Conditioner | Paper and Envelopes |
Tissues | Individually-Packaged Sports Mixes (Gatorade, Propel) |
Body Wash | Microwave Popcorn |
Lotion | Licorice |
Lip Balm / Chapstick | Gum and Mints |
Disposable Razors | Gummy Candies |
Foot Powder | Packaged Cookies |
Q-Tips | Meat Jerky |
Send whatever moves you. I usually send practical boxes of tampons and socks (I like tampons and socks, I would not want to be stuck in the middle of the desert for an extended amount of time without either), but this time I decided to send fun stuff. I'm going to burn a few mix CD's to throw in there, too. To the right, you can see the lovely variety of candy, gum, and powdered drink mixes I picked up yesterday at my local grocery store.
If you don't have the time to put together your own box, please head over to Treat Any Soldier, a website put together by an Army Mom. She has pre-fab boxes all packed and ready to go. Just pick what you'd like to send, and she'll ship it out for you.
If you'd like to keep costs low, please consider simply writing a letter, burning a Mix CD, or asking your kid to draw some pictures. Even just simple reminders of daily life back here in the United States can be a real picker-upper. Don't worry about what to say, just write about what's going on, the changes of the seasons, etc.
A Few Do's and Don'ts:
Don’t send pork products, pornography, or alcohol.
Don’t send homemade food, as the soldiers are required to throw it away.
Avoid anything that will melt, particularly in terms of food products. It is hot in Iraq.
T-Shirts must be Brown for Army (Tan for the new digital uniform, the 'ACU') and Navy, Green for Marines, Black or Brown for Air Force.
Marine boot socks are black. White athletic socks are for PT and sometimes under the boot socks.
If sending a liquid, put it in a zip-lock bag, then double-bag it upside-down from the first one. If an item can leak, it will.
Don't ship food and toiletries in the same box.
Don't forget to add "DK" to the corner of your box so Matt knows who it's from!
What Was That Address, Again?
Send Packages To:
CPT Matt Larson
ATTN: Anysoldier
C CO 15BSB
2BCT 1CD
FOB Prosperity
APO AE 09348
Thanks for your generosity, Kossacks. It will mean a lot to those overseas.