Some of the adults in our family have decided we don't need more "stuff" for Christmas and not to exchange gifts. So my immediately family has decided to take the money we would've spent on gifts and make charitable contributions in their names. We gave our boys (7 & 9) choices of charities - Toys for Tots, a local food bank or the troops overseas. They couldn't decided between Toys for Tots and the troops so we are going to do both. But my kids want the experience of shopping for the troops - even if its tolietries and snack foods. How do I go about getting a care package to troops? I've found places on line that want cash donations (the USO would be my choice) so they get more for the money. But my kids really want to do it themselves and I know if we are going to do it we need to do it soon with postal deadlines approaching. So can someone tell me the best way to do it? Also any suggestions for what to include and how to pack it are appreciated!
There is a radio host who dos a national tech show and she has a section on her website for giving gifts to the troops. Her name is Kim Komando and her website I think is Komando.com.
We're thinking of doing the same thing this year but I haven't looked at the specifics on her site yet.
J. F.
I'm not sure where to send it, but I just wanted to commend you and your children for doing something so slefless. What a great thing you are teaching your children, and what a great experience for them.
I know the Blue Star Mom's were collecting items in the East Bay a few weeks back to send to the troops. You might want to try and located them.
I have a cousin in the army, thankfully not deployed at the moment. Another cousin, sibling to the enlisted soldier, is putting together care packages to send overseas. I asked her for more information on how she's donating the care packages. She referred me to www.ustroopcarepackage.com
They list items needed and where you send them. It sounds like they don't give out individual names for privacy reasons.
Thank you and your family for supporting our troops!
Greetings T., I want to say Thank You, for being so generous to our serving men and women. I have organized several groups that send things overseas so I can give you a list. Please contact your local MOMS group, they are the families of active duty military service. You can contact your local paper or even the city office to find where they are located. I know that you can talk to a recruiters office and they can give you the names of troops( I was blessed to have a flag sent to me from onee platoon that flew it at their site in Iran) that you can send things to and believe me they share it with everyone.
Do you live any place near a miilitary base??? I have to say that the children of the non coms get the same pay as the person working at In & Out, so you can help a parent do something nice for their children. The other place that is good to help besides TOYS 4 TOTS,( ask the Marienes for how to get a gift for a military persons child & you will be doing something for both of them. Another great organization
is the VFW group( Veterans of Foreign Wars). They do so much for the troops of today and those of yesterday that need all kinds ofhelp.
You are doing a wonderful thing to teach your children to appreciate those that serve and protect our freedoms. As I spent Vetern's Day at the National Cemetary were my husband is.(He served during Vietnam). I just want to give you all the encouragement that I can to make this a wonderful experiance for the entire family.
If you need any more help from me feel free to contact me.
Nana Glenda
