Hi - I have been on the site since May when my son signed his contract. I am a (compulsively) organized person and this site has been a godsend. Anyway, I have been searching for ideas all over the place and based on other people's suggestions from many different threads I thought I would combine the ideas for anyone just thinking about this. My son leaves on Tuesday and I am so excited for him and nervous all at the same time! :)

Blank Cards if you are having an Anchor's Away Party. We had his party on Sunday and I had a table set up in a corner with blank cards, stamps, stickers and colored pens. I asked everyone to design a card and write him a note. I plan to send one a day. I have over 40 notes to send and reading them I was crying. It is great to know how much my son touched other's lives. I also left a list for people to sign up if they wanted me to give them his address once he gets there so they can write. (Caveat - don't leave out envelopes - I was worried people would decorate the envelopes or use colored ink so I will address each one.)

Pictures of the dog. We have a crazy beagle that he adores so I plan to take pictures, print them on a blank piece of paper and write to him from the dog.

Sports scores - He is a bit crazy about sports so I have a list of teams that he wants me keep him apprised of. I know all the articles will be too bulky but I will just type up the highlights of the sports page. 

Form Letters - they are around on this site. I have downloaded a bunch and will send one once a week or so. They can fill them out quickly so hopefully I may get some back!

Jokes - There are a bunch of sites to pull down quick jokes and riddles, easy to add one a day to a letter.

Pearls of Wisdom - Found a whole list here. I printed them out and feel I could include one at the end of each letter.

I have also read that there are SR who don't get letters which breaks my heart. I told my son to get me names of others in his division who don't get mail. I have a group of people ready to write to these kids so they are not empty handed when Mail Call comes.

Hope this list helps (and other ideas get added) so our sons and daughters know how much we love them and how proud of them we are!