Guidelines for "Care Packages."

The following are some suggestions and guidelines for sending packages to our military serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  For the Klondike Derby there are a few suggestions and changes to note:

• Do not seal the package.  I will be addressing them and I will be putting the address inside the box incase the address on the outside becomes damaged.  Also, since the package is subject to customs regulations and religious regulations (see below), the packages will be double-checked before they are sealed.

• Boxes MUST be USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail boxes.  Either FRB-1 (11" X 8.5" X 5.5") or FRB-2 (11-7/8" x 3-3/8" x 13-5/8").  These boxes can be shipped for $8.10 no matter where they are going with up to 70 pounds.  All other boxes are charged by the weight.

• Include $8.00 in an envelope (put your troop number on the envelope) to cover postage or pay when you register.

• If you prepare a box for a female soldier, put a big "F" on the side of the box or write "FEMALE" on the box.

• Encourage each scout in your troop to write a short letter to "An American Soldier" or "An American Hero," or other appropriate title.  Kids don't know how to write letters anymore and this would be a great time to learn.  (Leaders:  You and your family can participate and you can invite other scout family members to participate.)

• Send some un-used greeting cards for the soldiers to send to their loved ones back home.  I have been told that these are hard to obtain in some areas.

• Don't use "bubble wrap" or "Styrofoam peanuts" for packing material.  Get the most bang for the buck by packing corners and crevices with hard candy, slim jims, chewing gum, packages of Kool-Aid, fingernail clippers, etc...  It cost the same to send 70 pounds of candy as it does to send a quarter pound of Styrofoam.

• Include a picture of your troop and let everyone sign it.  If you have a troop patch, include one in the package.

• The suggestions below include some items for warm weather comfort.  The packages will arrive in early or mid-March and it's not all that hot yet.

• You may pick up the Flat rate Priority Mail boxes and the custom form at the post office.  I will have a supply at the Roundtable and some extra's at the Klondike Derby.

• Be creative. 

Tips for Corresponding with your Adopted Soldier

Provided by Americans Supporting Americans

It can be difficult for some people to begin writing a letter to a stranger, so here are a few tips to get you started.

• Receiving mail is better than gold to a soldier serving his or her country overseas.  According to multiple soldiers; hearing your name at mail call "is like having a sweet piece of home dropped in your lap." And receiving a letter or a package from a stranger containing encouraging words is something that a soldier will never forget.  That kind of "back home" support is what keeps morale and efficiency "as high as the clouds."
  
  
• A standard weight letter requires one 1^st Class $0.39  US postage stamp to reach your soldier.
  
  
• If you are writing to a soldier deployed in Afghanistan, DO NOT write the soldier's rank (Sgt., Spc., Pvt., etc.) on the outside of the envelope or parcel.  They're dealing with active Taliban forces.
  
  
• The daily life that your deployed soldier is currently living, is one that few of us back home can imagine, and one that he probably never fully anticipated.  In addition to the difficult physical environment, there's also loneliness, stress, monotony, exhaustion, and of course, plenty of danger.
  
  
• One thing that your soldier is probably starved for is a distraction … to hear about common, everyday events back in the United States.
  
  
• Tell your soldier something about yourself, things you like to do, hobbies, sports, something amusing that your pet did, a special vacation, or even books you've read recently.  Feel free to send pictures to make it more personal.
  
  
• Many soldiers miss their precious families back home. Talk about your kids, or better yet, ask your kids to draw a picture to include in your letter.
  
  
• Describe where you live. Many of these young soldiers think Louisville and its environs are a pretty exotic place.  So, talk about scouting or hiking in the hills, or any of the other attractions in our own back yard. You could include a couple of photos or picture postcards in with your letter.
  
  
• Ask your soldier questions about himself, his family, his hometown, what are some of his personal interests, how long he has been in the service and what jobs he's held, who are his best buddies over there, what are his current duties. (He may not be able to answer due to security reasons, but he will appreciate your interest.)
  
  
• If you ever served in the military, share an amusing or impressive experience he could relate to.
  
  
• Talk about what is happening with different U.S. sports teams or leagues.
  
  
• Share a G-rated joke or cartoon that you picked up somewhere.
  
  
• Don't hesitate to tell your soldier how valuable their service is to you, or how much their sacrifice means to you. Let him or her know that nobody back home has forgotten about them and what they are doing for their country.   Almost without exception, these remarkable Americans are surprised and moved by this kind of unsolicited gratitude and praise.
  
  
• Be sure you invite him or her to write back to you. It sounds obvious, but soldiers take nothing for granted. Consider including your e-mail address, it's easier for the soldier to thank you and they often attach digital photos for you to see.
  
  
• Avoid discussing politics and negative media coverage of the war, they know it's out there, they just don't need it rubbed in their faces right now.  Remember, always try to keep your message positive and supportive!
  

What you should know about sending CARE PACKAGES to a Deployed Soldier

• Soldiers always share packages with their buddies, the morale boost you are sending is multiplied and priceless. Priority Mail is preferable over Parcel Post if you want the package received in weeks, rather than months.  The Post Office provides excellent flat rate Priority Mail boxes - free of charge.  It only costs $78.10, regardless of the weight!  Pack the box carefully, when you shake it, there should be very little movement inside, and consequently, less potential breakage during transport. Or line the box with bubble wrap for protection.  Use plenty of filament or strong plastic tape in sealing the box.  (You must use a "Flat Rate Priority Mail" box to get the $8.10 postage rate.)
  
  
• All boxes must be accompanied by a "US Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note – CP72" (form #2976-A), available at the Post Office. In the "Description of Contents" section, provide only a very general/vague list of contents, and low-ball the estimated value, this reduces the risk of theft.  Also, in the lower right corner, there's an area for "Redirect," write "Chaplain or Commander." Otherwise, the box will be returned to you if, for some reason, the soldier it was addressed to is no longer there.
  
  
• Save yourself the cost of insurance, there is no efficient way to track the package once the military postal service gets hold of it.
  
  
• Put clear plastic tape over the outside address label and return label, to protect against water damaging your soldier's name. It's a good idea to place a copy of the address inside the package, just in case the label or package does get damaged.

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS OF WHAT YOU MAY INCLUDE IN YOUR SOLDIER'S CARE PACKAGE

• Pens, Paper, Envelopes: Pens get lost and stolen, all these items can be hard to come by. Also, occasion greeting cards to send home; I love you and I miss you cards, kid/wife/mom birthdays, anniversary cards, get well cards. Military mail is free so the soldiers don't need stamps.
  
  
• Drugs: Motrin, Alka Seltzer, allergy/cold tablets, Imodium, Neosporin, Tums, aspirin, Tylenol PM (or generic), foot powder, athletes foot medications, etc.
  
  
• Other Practical Items: Pre-paid global phone cards, Chapstick, hand sanitizer, AA/AAA batteries, dental floss, hand lotion, flashlights, disposable cameras, small personal battery operated fans, moist wipes, Odor Eaters/cool gel insoles. Eye drops, bandanas, nail files/clippers, sewing kits, shoe polish kits, eyeglass repair & cleaner kit, Shout stain remover sticks/towlettes, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, Icy-Hot pain relief compress, Fabreeze fabric odor eliminator.
  
  Hima East's SUPER COOL TOWELS are a l00% terry-cotton towel infused with distilled water, denatured alcohol and menthol.  It is also scented with organic lemongrass and Bergamot oil, which also act as a natural bug repellent. The troops carry them everywhere and wrap it around their neck or under their helmets when they needed to cool down.  Super Cool towels were written up in the Army Times (6/9/04). Go to Hima East's web site at  http://www.himaeast.com.
  
  Books: Anything to read will be appreciated by your GI and his buddies - books get read and passed around until they completely fall apart - then send transparent tape!  For a list of recommended authors and titles, go to www.militarybookclub.com.  (tip: a great source of clean used paperbacks can be the Salvation Army and the Goodwill – approximately $0.50 each).
  
  Magazines: Publications pertaining to sports, cars/motorcycles, men's health, body building, music, guns, and law enforcement are especially yearned for. (Muslim countries prohibit "adult" materials.)
  
  

Other Entertainment/Distractions:

• New or used DVDs: drama, action and comedies. Also, any kind of new or used music CDs.
  
  
• CD/DVD disk cleaning kit, since the players and the disks will get a lot of use.
  
  
• Board games like Chess/Checkers, Backgammon, Risk, Trivia Pursuits, or Battleship.
  
  
• Crossword/Find-a-Word puzzles, model car & airplane kits, jigsaw puzzle, Rubik's Cube, sidewalk chalk, squirt gun, yo-yo, Frisbee and Nerf football, harmonica, kazoo, playing cards.

Food

• Real food (vs. MREs and other military chow) is unbelievably appreciated. As tempted as you might be, PLEASE do not send any home-baked goods. Food products must be send in manufacturer-sealed packaging.

 Snacks

• The number one request is for protein bars (the higher the protein content the more valuable it is as a meal replacement or supplement), in a variety of flavors.
  
  
• Snack bars (Cliff Bars are their favorite), Pop Tarts (would you believe they warm them on the hood of a Humvee!), granola bars, Nutra-Grain bars, breakfast bars, Quaker chocolate-filled Quick bites.
  
  
• Tuna in the fresh pouch, canned chicken.
  
  
• Slim Jims, summer sausage, salami, pepperoni sticks and one of their staples - beef jerky.
  
  
• Triscuit, Ritz crackers, Goldfish, Wheat Thins and shelf-stable flour tortillas.
  
  
• Oreos, Fig Newtons, chocolate chip cookies, animal crackers, Girl Scout cookies, Cracker Jacks.
  
  
• M&M's, Bit-O-Honey, black and red licorice, Tootsie Rolls, Starburst, Sugar Babies, Life Savers, Jolly Rancher hard candies.  (Remember how hot it stays in Iraq, most chocolate won't survive shipping.)
  
  
• Microwave popcorn, pretzels, cheese/peanut butter filled pretzels, trail mix, banana chips, nuts.
  
  
• Regular chewing gum, Bubble gum, breath mints.
  
  
• Squeezable pudding-in-a-tube, fruit cups with pop-off lids, applesauce, peanut butter & jelly.
  
  
• Spices to improve the flavor of their MRE: small jars/packets of mayo, mustard, relish, catsup, hot sauce, garlic powder, dried onions, etc.
  

Quick & Easy Meals:

• Cup 'o Noodles, Top Ramen noodles, Hormel chili, Campbell's Chunky soup, Cup of Soup.
  
  
• Dry cereal (think Captain Crunch, not Total) that can be eaten straight from the box.
  
  
• Bowl Appetite dinners, Instant oatmeal (can be made with hot water).
  
  
• Pasta Anytime dinners, Dinty Moore meals, Kraft or Velveeta Mac & Cheese (all microwaveable).

Drinks: (Remember: alcoholic beverages are forbidden in Muslim countries.)

• Powdered sugar-free Crystal Light, or Kool-Aid. It will make the water bearable, powdered Gatorade, pre-sweetened Country Time lemonade mix (best lemonade on earth).
  
  
• Instant coffee, individual packets of flavored coffee creamer, small cans of fruit juice, boxes of tea bags, cans of Starbucks Double Shots (worth more than gold over there!), Powdered hot chocolate.

For our female soldiers:

• Officially, female soldiers aren't supposed to concern themselves with their appearance, but the desert environment is unbelievably brutal on skin and hair. Hair shampoo & deep conditioner, hand & body lotions, face masks & deep skin cleaners, rich soaps, wash cloths/buffs, body powder, deodorants, manicure kits, neutral color hair ties, max-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, air fresheners. The gals also seem to love sugar free hard candies. No perfumes please - they attract camel spiders!  

What not to send (these items may not make it to your Pen Pal, or are not allowed in the Country): 

• Explicit/pornographic materials
  
  
• Alcoholic beverages
  
  
• Pork and pork by-products
  
  
• Material contrary to the Islamic religion

Mailing packages to your Pen Pal: 

• Wrap packages securely
  
  
• Keep in mind that liquid-filled containers tend to break
  
  
• Powdered items may open during transit, causing concern over what the substance may be.  Please pack these items in a sealed plastic "Ziploc" type bag.
  
  
• Label packages properly and list all contents

If you use United States Postal Service (USPS) Priority Mail, your packages will arrive, on average, in 16 days.  Letters arrive in 10 days. You can get USPS Priority Mail supplies from the any local post office, or by logging on to www.USPS.com.  You can have mailing supplies delivered to your home or office, free of charge.

TIPS:      

• Do not Use No. 7 Priority Mail boxes (12" x 12" x 8") (You must use a "Flat Rate Priority Mail" box to get the $8.10 postage rate.  The No. 7 Priority Mail boxes cost more.)
• Use Priority Mail Address Labels
• Use Customs Forms Declaration 2976A

The post office now has a "Flat Rate" Priority Mail box.  These are great for heavy items.  They only cost $8.10 to ship, regardless of weight (up to 70 pounds).