Anyone with Sailors/Soldiers/Marines in War Zones and Combat Areas

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For parents and loved ones of deployed and deploying military personnel...Aghanistan/Iraq  and any and all war zones. Please introduce yourself on the main comment page.

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Care Packages - lists of items, how to order priority boxes and how to fill out customs forms

by Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Nov 11, 2010

You can order the large, priority-rate military boxes at this link: USPS Priority Mail FPO/APO Flat Rate Boxes - delivery is free. 

Or call and get the 'Military Pack' that includes six boxes, customs forms, tape and address labels at 1-800-610-8734.

This N4M group has creative and practical ideas to share: N4M Care Package Ideas
Just introduce yourself and everyone will chime in :) There is good info in the discussion groups, too for themes, food preparation and packaging etc.

I put together this list of often-requested items, complete packing and shipping info and tips, and a sample customs form, too -

You can send up to 70 lbs in the large priority box, cost to mail is $12.95.

Deadlines for shipping, in order to arrive by the 2010 holidays:  NAVSUP pre-12:25:10 delivery mail-by dates.pdf
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    Fill those flat rate boxes every inch with something that could be used when sending overseas. Other wise if sending stateside use snailmail, it seems to get there in the same time frame. Unless you are sending to HI which has a terrible mailing results. I sent my son socks that never got there at all and because I sent them via company they are just lost! Funny I sent a practice care package to him there in HI and it followed him to 29 palms Cali and got there to him in training. Funny things happen this way! The Marines loved it and so did my son. Guess those socks are sporting different large feet somewhere!

    Jun 26, 2011

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      D~W~G

      I hope you all do not mind if I steal your JPG to share with others :) 

      Aug 8, 2012

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        I'm making a list of the most wanted things from Sailors and Marines I had sent to. I stayed away from junk foods as much as possible but Nutella was worth it's weight in gold I have been told and A1 sauce!

        Never mix hygiene with food items, things can tend to taste funny if packed together!

        1. Water boiler, you can find one that has a rectangle shape in CVS cost about 23.00 it fits in a flat rate box better than the round pot looking one. My son said they were able to take almost everwhere and plugged into truck outlet as well as the one they had from generator! They used it for everything from soup to tea! 

        2. Plenty of canned meats, I sent chicken, stews etc. Of course the chef boy r dee! 

        3.Ramen noodles they mix it with MRE's and other stuff/canned meats and such!

        4.Jerky..I made my own using oven drying method, which you can google but ended up buy a dehydrator and dried fruits like apples and oranges too along with corm and string beans too.  spent time doing but was able to send more since it so cost savings a huge one. That dehydrator paid for itself real quick!

        5. Granola also made my own and they loved it. Cheap also

        I bought a food saver to seal everything each can since they can get damaged and ruin other items in box. This was a little expensive but I still use it at home all the time. Found bags cheaper at costco

        6.Plenty of socks since washing was hard to do there.ended up getting the large bags at costco also better quality than dollar store. I shoved those socks in crannies to fill up box too!

        7. Those potatoes that come in bags from Idahoan, they mixed with canned meats and gravy I sent too.

        8. Those flat taco soft wraps were the best to make PB&J and tuna etc!

        9. canned fruits all kinds, don't send the clear cups since they can spoil if held out to long in a heated area.

        10. nuts and dried fruits all kinds. 

        11. Vitamins and cough drops were asked for.

        12. Gum and hard candies.

        13. Hygiene products and "Baby Wipes"! Plenty of wipes.....

        14. Solar shower it lasted for them 3 months till it sprang a leak!

        15. Books not romance but current ones, I shopped garage sales and friends were happy to unload also

        15. scrabble with pocket dictionary a huge hit1

        16. cards and small board games. I sent Trivial pursuit cards they loved this.

        17. You can find cheeses that don't need to be refrigerated and meat sausages that aren't pork!

        18. Foot powder and creams to ward off any fungus, they walk in a lot of watern there.

        19. Mouse traps yes there is an issue with them there.

        20. Zip ties all sizes

        21. Cards to mail home to families like birthday, , etc!

        22. Current magazines!

        23. Tissues and TP which I vac sealed to condense!

        24. Powdered milk and container to make in.

        25. spices small sizes to season food

        26. Hot sauce

        27. microwavable dinners from shel at stores. My son add access to a MW

        28.Muscle Milk powder and shaker!

        29. Home made cookies, brownies all sealed up. You can use cookie tins and seal with saran wrap well. Pack with unseasoned fresh pop corn to prevent breakage.

        30. Yes M&M's made a safe trip there and almost never melted. The bad food i sent! LOL

         Sorry this is so long but the list goes on

        Any questions about anything just PM me!

        Sep 20, 2012