Here is a list of things our deployed Sailors like to have in care packages (compliments of Molly's Adopt-A-Sailor group). PLEASE remember that these are suggestions only....if you have other ideas...add them in and share with us. The goal is simply to make sure that every Sailor that receives a package knows that he/she is loved and honored.

Remember that we want to make and/or write cards for each box we fill. The more cards the better...the well wishes are priceless to our Sailors. Plan to include a pre-addressed postcard to make it easier for them to send a thank you note if they have time. Including your email address also will help them out.

DRINKS
Capri Sun
Sweetened Kool-Aid Packets
Country Time Lemonade
Gatorade
Kool Aid
Lipton Tea Mixes
Flavored coffee and Cappuccino
Flavored drinks to put in water
Hot Chocolate
Hot Cider
Flavored Creamers
Juice boxes have not traveled well

FOOD
Beef Jerky
Beef Sausage (very popular)
Candy of all kinds - really like Ind. bags of Skittles and hard candies
Canned meats
Canned cheese
Canned chips
Canned Fruit
Canned salsa, dips
Canned tuna, chicken
Chocolate anything (they don’t care if it melts)
Cookies – all kinds
Dried fruits
Granola bars
Hickory Farms stuff (no refrigeration)
Nuts
Peanut Butter
Popcorn
Pop Tarts
Pretzels
Protein Snacks
Power Bars
Cereal Bars
Trail Mix
Ramen
Microwavable Soups
Microwavable Single Meals
Hamburger Helpers Singles
Easy Mac
Single Serve Brownies Bowls
Chocolate and Lemon Microwave Cakes
Instant Oatmeal
Otter Pops
Spices
Sunflower Seeds
Slim Jims - any kind
Jalapeno Cheetos
Baking Soda
Peanuts in the shell - roasted

FUN STUFF

Coffee Mugs with lids
Books (new or used)
CD's
DVD's
Board Games
Travel size games
Card Games
Comic Books
Electronic Games
Holiday Decorations
Magazines (Newsweek, People, Maxum, Cosmo, Sports Illustrated, Car related, Fitness related, ESPN,hunting and anything else sports related)
Tabloids Newspapers (fun to read)
Playing Cards
Poker Chips
Puzzles
Word Puzzles
Footballs
Nerf Balls
Soccer Balls
Trivial Pursuit Cards (no board)
Disposable Cameras
Scented Candles
Silly Putty
Videos
Squirt guns
Wooden and Styrofoam airplanes

HEALTH AND HYGIENE

Dramamine

Smelly stuff - ozone
Aspirin and other pain relievers
Antacids
Alka Seltzer
Band-Aids - fun ones, butterfly and regular
Chapstick
Cough Drops
Dental floss
Disposable Razors
Foot Powder
Hand Sanitizer
Hair brush/Comb

Kleenex- Individual pkgs and boxes
Mouthwash
Neosporin
Q-Tips
Bar Soap
Shampoo/Conditioner
Dry Shampoo
Thera-Flu
Cold and Flu Liquid packs
Sore Throat lozenges
Vitamin C drops
Toilet Paper
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste - the real stuff
Wet-Wipes
Baby wipes
Wet ones
Air Fresheners
Fabreeze
Purifiers
Lotion
Hand and Foot Warmers
Heat Packs
Shaving Cream
Flip Flops (Shower Shoes)
Fabric Softeners

MISCELLANEOUS
Batteries
Can Opener
Boot Socks (gray, green, black only with thick soles) Wal-Mart has them
Tan Shoelaces - Leather 72"
Envelopes
Bug Spray - "OFF" Brand- requested alot
Gloves
Gum
Journal
Pens
Sharpies
Plastic Utensils
Reusable Microwave Containers
Straws in paper wrappers
Napkins (even those from fast food restaurants)
Stationary
Tan T-Shirts – various sizes (Mostly Med & Large)
Fleece Blankets
Panty Hose for cleaning weapons
Deep Woods Off wipes (this is the replacement suggestion for the collars)
Phone Cards - AT&T has a Military Global card
Super Glue
3M Hooks with removable tape
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Mechanic Gloves (Mechanix Brand or similar from Walmart or Home Depot)



SHARE WHO AND WHERE YOU ARE:
Your local Newspapers/Comics
Photos of your town or state
Postcards of your State and or city
Jokes you know
Blank Cards for upcoming holidays.
Calendars
Notes of Encouragement - The most important thing we can do

OTHER HELPFUL TIPS
If you are mailing lots of media only stuff check out sending it Media Rate -

takes a little longer, but it could be much less expensive.