What To Send or To Avoid
Suggested Care Package Items (not in priority order):
(Updated July 2008)
Any snack items – cookies (if home-baked package individually anduse popcorn to "pad" the cookies on bottom, sides and top of box), crackers, Slim Jims, beef jerky, Pringles, trail mix, hard candy, gum, Lifesavers, tuna fish (preferably in the flexible pouches), cans of Chef BoyRD (raviolis, spaghettios, etc - if possible those with pop tops), work-out supplements like protein shake powder and bars, drink mixes, mixed nuts, hot chocolate. Coffee supplies (filters, creamer, thermos, instant coffee, coffee singles, tea bags.
Good toilet paper, Mouth wash, tooth brushes, toiletries to include body wash, toothpaste, shampoo, hair conditioner, liquid soap, floss, disposable or Gillette Mach 3, Sensor or Gillette Fusion razors w/extra replacement blades, Gel Type Shaving Cream, 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. Also as the real heat of Summer approached, Marines in Iraq requested "runner's socks" for exercise in running shoes. These are white, quarter length (below crew 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 boat, sports & automotive magazines w/ emphasis on 20 - 30 year old readers. (Public Libraries have high-quality, inexpensive, used, recent magazines and books). Board games & Card games. DVDs of current movies.
Prepaid Phone cards for overseas calls. These may be purchased locally or through the Army/Air Force Exchange system at https://thor.aafes.com/ (copy & paste) or by donating designated funds to S-O-T. If you go to this Exchange web site, you do not have to be a member to purchase Phone Cards or Exchange Cards for our troops. There is a significant savings by purchasing Phone Cards through the Exchange. Phone Cards are highly valued by our troops!
Items for Iraqi kids, for hand distribution by our troops - pens, pencils, crayons, small packs of hard candy, art supplies. Books in Arabic are a huge plus. Toys should not have any nation-specific symbols on them.
Consider filling some boxes with items for female soldiers*; then mark the box, "For Female Soldier/Marine". One in seven serving in Iraq are female.
May you enjoy filling the box as much as the Soldier/Marine who receives it will appreciate your kindness………
* Place scented items in sturdy, sealed, zip-lock bags.
What Not To Send
Anything that melts. (M&M's should not be sent to Iraq during the time of extreme high temperatures. They will melt and be a large blob of chocolate).
Waterless Hand Cleaner/Sanitizer - generally makes mud, baby wipes are preferred
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.
