What To Send or To Avoid
Suggested Care Package Items (not in priority order):[1]
Any snack items – cookies (if home-baked package individually, line the box with a clean plastic bag and use popcorn to “pad” the cookies on bottom, sides and top of box and seal the plastic bag). Slim Jims, beef jerky, Pringles, trail mix, gum, tuna fish (preferably in the flexible pouches, mixed nuts, hot chocolate. Coffee supplies (filters, creamer, thermos, instant coffee, coffee singles, tea bags. Small single packages of Propel or Gatorade Powder.
Mouth wash, foot powder, tooth brushes, toiletries to include body wash, toothpaste, shampoo & hair conditioner only for female boxes, soap*, floss, disposable or Gillette Mach 3, Sensor or Gillette Fusion razors w/extra replacement blades, Gel Type Shaving Cream, baby wipes/cleansing wipes, hand and body lotions (no sun screen-have enough), lip balm, Chap Stick, eye drops. Q-Tips for cleaning weapons. AA, AAA, batteries.
Socks - white tube socks and running socks. As the real heat of Summer approached, "runner's socks" were requested for exercise in running shoes. These are white, quarter length similar to NIKE Dri-Fit socks, which use wicking technology so moisture is not absorbed, as with cotton socks. Sandals, shower shoes.
Books & Paperback books, recent copies of magazines sports & automotive w/ emphasis on 20 - 30 year old readers. (Public Libraries have high-quality, inexpensive, used, recent magazines and books). Board games & Card games. DVD’s of recently released movies.
Items for indigenous kids, for hand distribution by our troops - pens, pencils, crayons, small packs of hard candy, art supplies. Toys should not have any nation-specific symbols on them.
Consider filling some boxes with items for female soldiers (e.g. fragrant soap[2], hand and body lotion); then mark the outside of the box, "For Female". One in seven serving in “Harm’s Way” are female.
May you enjoy filling the box as much as the Soldier/Marine who receives it will appreciate your kindness………
[1] Updated as of: 8-Jun-09
[2] If you include food items in the box, place soap or other scented items in sturdy, double sealed, zip-lock or “seal-a-meal” bags
What Not To Send
Anything that melts although small, individually wrapped chocolate or small snack candy bars are OK.
Sun Screen - already issued in mass quantities, drowning in the stuff
Liquor of any sort
Pornography of any sort
Other Guidelines
1. Personal hygiene items should be kept separate from snack items. Hygiene items give off odors that can taint the taste of snack items.
2. When packing shampoo, hand lotions, and other liquid types, these items should be put inside plastic bags. The bags should be sealed or tied tightly. Kitchen garbage bags work great and even though they may be too big for the items going into a smaller package the excess plastic will act as cushioning and dunnage.
3. When sending snack item, use individually wrapped candy for dunnage. It tastes much better than styro peanuts.
4. Only send nationally recognized brand name products - NO cheapies. We are sending to the best that America has to offer, we should send them nothing less!
Include a self-addressed envelop so that the soldiers can write if they care to, but do not expect a response; they are awfully busy. Mail is free from Iraq and a stamp is not required
Publix, Wal-mart, Target, and K-Mart have many of the recommended items and more. It is fun to impulse shop! Take along your children or grandchildren!
Tax deductible donations are accepted for Care Packages, school supplies and soccer balls for Iraqi students helped by our troops, and prepaid phone cards for our soldiers.
Individuals who desire to make a financial contribution to the Support Our Troops Program should make their checks payable to the Sarasota Military Officers Scholarship Fund, Inc. (SMOSF), an IRS 501(c)(3) charity, which serves as the outreach arm of the MOAS. While any donations are appreciated, it is estimated that $50.00 will be the upper limit on preparing and shipping a box and as such is a good multiple for donation purposes. Please indicate on the Memo line that the contribution is for the Support Our Troops Program. Your contributions will be used exclusively for the SOT program. The SMOSF's Federal Tax Identification Number is 65-0883860 and the SMOSF is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Registration Number CH19841. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE
Send checks for our “Operation S-O-T to the following address:
MOAS – Operation S-O-T
BG James M Hesson – US Army, Retired
4612 Chase Oaks Drive
Sarasota, FL 34241
Be a blessings to our marvelous military men and women!
Prayer time in Iraq.
Please remember to include them often in our prayers.
