Don’t you feel helpless about our currently military action? I do.
To battle my helplessness, I’ve tried to support the people who are involved with the war. I’ve sent coffee to a unit that hadn’t seen coffee in two years. I’ve babysat a few military kids so that the mothers can shop or get their hair done.
The Gal Herself told me, in a recent TT comments, that she donates to Operation Shoebox. She said:
“I save up all the extra condiment packets I get from fast food joints and wrap them up in tissue paper, stick them in a padded envelope, and send them off to Operation Shoebox to help liven up a soldiers dull MRE. They need so much, and a lot of it is stuff we already have around the house, and it really makes a difference. It’s an easy way to support the troops, even if you don’t support the war.”
Here’s a list of what they need right now:
CANDY
Fruit Breezes (throat drops) Twizzlers CORRESPONDENCE
Pens/Pencils DENTAL
Mouthwash Toothbrushes Toothpaste DRINK
Coffee Creamer Gatorade Powdered Drink Mixes Tea Mixes (sweet) KoolAid bursts- to freeze FOOD (including dry goods, snacks)
Bars (Clif or Balance) Beef Jerky Canned Fruit (pop top cans) Cereal (in small boxes) Girl Scout Cookies Granola Bars Gum Oatmeal (instant) Pop-Tarts Ravioli (pop top cans) Tuna Kits GAMES
Checkers (travel size) Chess (travel size) Crossword Puzzles Playing Cards MUSIC
CDs Tapes DVDs new and used Hand held electronic games Sodoku books |
PRINTED MATERIALS
Newspapers (local) Magazines TOILETRIES/HYGIENE
Nose spray Eye Drops Deodorant Femine Hygiene Products (for female soldiers) Foot Powder Hairbrushes Hand Lotion Hand Sanitizers (waterless) Nail Clippers Q-Tips Razors (disposable) Shampoo Sunscreen Tissues (heavy duty - i.e. Puffs) Travel size body wash Tylenol (individual packets) Other
American Flags (small) Baggies (with zip lock) Batteries (AA, D, ….) Bug Spray (must be packaged in zip-lock bag) Duct Tape Disposable Cameras Flashlights (mini/mag lite, extra bulbs, lots of batteries) Fans (battery powered - small - with extra batteries) Fly Strips Fly Swatters Pre-Paid Phone Cards Shoe Insole Cushions Socks (cushioned white calf high) Seasonal
Small unbreakable holiday decorations Christmas stockings |
Here’s the addresses:
For Check and Money Order donations:
Operation Shoebox
PO Box 1465
Belleview, FL 34421-1465
To donate items to ship you can mail them to us at:
Operation Shoebox
PO Box 1465
Belleview, FL 34421-1465
Let’s not wallow in our helplessness when our human family needs our support.
3 responses so far ↓
1 Jill // Apr 17, 2008 at 1:24 am
What a wonderful idea! Thanks so much for sharing Claudia. ((hugs)) You really are someting else.
I’m going to start my “shoebox” now. This will be fun!
2 The Gal Herself // Apr 23, 2008 at 8:35 am
Well, look what I found! Thank you for doing this. When I see the stuff on this list, it’s so mundane it breaks my heart. Imagine being happy to receive bug spray or Qtips! It’s a great thing you’re doing here.
3 Irish Coffeehouse // May 8, 2008 at 12:54 am
Here by way of Nikki.
We are MEGA troop supporters. And I would love to add some things to your list for others to consider.
Sunscreen chap stick- mega priority; the higher the SPF the better
Aftershave- again mega, mega need
laundry detergent- pathetic huh? if you know anyone who may have samples these are greatly needed. And if you email companies raving about their product they send free samples.
Lovely nonessentials:
pop ice- you know those liquid popsicles that you freeze? They are da bomb and troops LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!
holiday cards to mail back home (generally allow 4 weeks- two weeks for them to receive and two weeks for them to mail back home). Small, privately owned card stores generally keep ample in storage and will be delighted to help you! And if you can, send enough for the whole battalion.
flavored coffee creamers (yes I see regular already listed lol). This gives them uber coolness, and trust me, no flavor is too sissy! Buy off brand and send LOADS!
whoppie cusions- what boy at heart cannot resist?
Just an fyi: chocolate does melt and gel deodorants (and any other gel product for that matter such as soap) melt too.
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