One thing I've sent to Korea, Afganistan and Iraq that has been popular this time of year......I make Christmas lights out of shotgun shells. The rednecks love them, and they're cool year 'round. They become "man cave decore" when Christmas is over.
I also sent a couple of guys "garden boxes"....ziplock with potting soil, sunflower and grass seed. Then they can fill a boot, pan, spent mortar round...whatever to make their own garden and conversation piece. no, I don't really give a shit if I'm potentially contaminating some Afgan poppie field with American Sunflower or Sun & Shade Bluegrass. [Reply]
Dunkin Donuts donates the coffee Passed on by supporter Kelly Bishop on 4 Mar 05:
Dunkin Donuts will send a case (24 one pound bags) to service members serving in Iraq. Dunkin Donuts donates the coffee and pays all the shipping costs.
Go to www.dunkindonuts.com
Fill out the form.
Put the soldiers name and APO address.
Click on "submit"
They are getting a lot of requests so it may take a little time.
You can also write with the same info to:
Dunkin Brands
130 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02121
Or call customer relations at 781-737-3000 (they are very friendly and helpful)
From Dunkin' Donuts:
Dunkin' Brands, Inc. supports the brave men and woman of the United States military.
We are honored to send a taste of home to our troops overseas. We will hold a monthly lottery to randomly select 50 military members among those requests submitted. Each will receive a case of Dunkin' Donuts coffee. We will limit the offer to those who have not previously received any coffee. Please understand that because of the volume of requests, only recipients will be notified [Reply]
Originally Posted by JohninGpt:
In my experience, no one was very particular about what got mailed to us, but they watched what we mailed home like a hawk.
I did get several bottles in the mail.
How does this list look? Whats not on there there the troops appreciated?
FOOD and SNACKS
:
Beef Jerky
/ Slim Jims
COFFEE (Ground or whole; instant or drip), Hot Chocolate packets, Herbal teas
Instant Drink Mixes
(Gatorade, Kool‐Aid, Crystal Light)
Pumpkin Seeds
/ Sunflower Seeds (salted)
Tuna in foil pouches
(no cans)
Protein Powders
/ Protein Bars / Cliff Bars
*NO CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS accepted from MARCH to OCTOBER (it will melt in high temperatures!)
Hard Pretzels / Cheetos / Fritos / Chex Mix / Wheat Thins
Gum and Hard Candy (must be individually wrapped)
Granola Bars / Power Bars / Cereal Bars
Small Packs of Fig Newtons, Oreos, Cheese‐Its
Trail Mix, Dried Fruit, Granola, Fruit Roll‐Ups / Fruit By The Foot / Fruit Gummies
DRY SOUP: (Ramen Noodles / Cup‐O‐Soup: just add water)
NUTS: Peanuts, Mixed Nuts (salted)
MICROWAVE FOOD (Popcorn, Chef‐Boy‐R‐Dee, Mac'n'Cheese...)
COOKIES / Girl Scout Cookies (with chocolate: Oct. ‐ Feb. only!)
Cheese & Cracker packs
Condiments, Spices; Sugar; Salad Dressing (no glass jars)
Oatmeal Packs (Instant: just add water)
Cereal (Small, individual boxes)
Rice Krispie Treats (Store‐bought only)
Caffeinated gum or candy (to stay alert)
TOILETRIES:
NO HOTEL SAMPLES!
Baby wipes
(travel size)
Liquid Hand Sanitizer
(travel size)
Body Wash
, Liquid Soap, Facial Cleanser
Shampoo /Conditioner (travel size)
Hair Gel (for female troops to pull hair back)
Combs / Brushes, Bobby Pins
Eye Drops (i.e. Visine)
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
How does this list look? Whats not on there there the troops appreciated?
FOOD and SNACKS
:
Beef Jerky
/ Slim Jims
COFFEE
(Ground or whole; instant or drip), Hot Chocolate packets, Herbal teas
Instant Drink Mixes
(Gatorade, Kool‐Aid, Crystal Light)
Pumpkin Seeds
/ Sunflower Seeds (salted)
Tuna in foil pouches
(no cans)
Protein Powders
/ Protein Bars / Cliff Bars
*NO CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS accepted from MARCH to OCTOBER (it will melt in high temperatures!)
Hard Pretzels / Cheetos / Fritos / Chex Mix / Wheat Thins
Gum and Hard Candy (must be individually wrapped)
Granola Bars / Power Bars / Cereal Bars
Small Packs of Fig Newtons, Oreos, Cheese
‐Its
Trail Mix, Dried Fruit, Granola, Fruit Roll
‐Ups / Fruit By The Foot / Fruit Gummies
DRY SOUP: (Ramen Noodles / Cup
‐O‐Soup: just add water)
NUTS: Peanuts, Mixed Nuts (salted)
MICROWAVE FOOD (Popcorn, Chef
‐Boy‐R‐Dee, Mac'n'Cheese...)
COOKIES / Girl Scout Cookies (with chocolate: Oct.
Shampoo /Conditioner (travel size)
Hair Gel (for female troops to pull hair back)
Combs / Brushes, Bobby Pins
Eye Drops (i.e. Visine)
Nasal Spray
Another one:
Baby Wipes - packets are better than tubs. Much better than baby wipes, per se, are the "Hoo Ahhs" brand of pre-moistened, alcohol-free, unscented Field Towels
Beef Jerky/Slim Jims
Energy Bars (Power Bar, etc. - Unless a specific brand is requested, much better than standard civilian energy bars are the "HOOAH!" brand energy bar based on the U.S. military's own specially formulated bar that better meets the soliers' needs)
Hot Sauce (Tabasco, Red Devil, etc.) - wrap glass bottle in duct tape and place in doubled zip-lock bags
Sunflower seeds
Peanuts
Seasoning Salt (Lawry's, etc.)
Atomic Fireballs / Jolly Rancher hard candy (for service member use)
Smarties or SweetTart candies (for local children who prefer sour style candy to build relationships with community)
Powdered Energy/Electrolyte Replacement Drink Mix (Gatorade, etc.)
Chewing Gum
Avon Skin So Soft - great for removing face paint and also reputed to be an effective bug repellant (the latter seems variable based on personal experience and reports)
AA-cell Alkaline Batteries
Personal Hygiene Gear: Disposable Razors, Toothbrush and Tooth Paste
Eye Wash / Drops (Visine, etc.) for flushing dust and sand out of the eyes
Zip-Lock style Plastic Storage Bags - assorted sizes, heavier freezer style are better
Copenhagen Snuff in a tin ("Even if the service member doesn't dip snuff, they will be a hero and have more power than the Commanding Officer if they have a 'log' (10 cans) of 'Hagen.' A large percentage of infantry use this stuff and it is hard to get. The stuff they do get comes in a plastic can and tastes terrible. The 'Stateside Hagen' is the most powerful bargaining tool in a field environment!")
Pre-paid Phone Card so service member can call home
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
How does this list look? Whats not on there there the troops appreciated?
FOOD and SNACKS
:
Beef Jerky
/ Slim Jims
COFFEE (Ground or whole; instant or drip), Hot Chocolate packets, Herbal teas
Instant Drink Mixes
(Gatorade, Kool‐Aid, Crystal Light)
Pumpkin Seeds
/ Sunflower Seeds (salted)
Tuna in foil pouches
(no cans)
Protein Powders
/ Protein Bars / Cliff Bars
*NO CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS accepted from MARCH to OCTOBER (it will melt in high temperatures!)
Hard Pretzels / Cheetos / Fritos / Chex Mix / Wheat Thins
Gum and Hard Candy (must be individually wrapped)
Granola Bars / Power Bars / Cereal Bars
Small Packs of Fig Newtons, Oreos, Cheese‐Its
Trail Mix, Dried Fruit, Granola, Fruit Roll‐Ups / Fruit By The Foot / Fruit Gummies
DRY SOUP: (Ramen Noodles / Cup‐O‐Soup: just add water)
NUTS: Peanuts, Mixed Nuts (salted)
MICROWAVE FOOD (Popcorn, Chef‐Boy‐R‐Dee, Mac'n'Cheese...)
COOKIES / Girl Scout Cookies (with chocolate: Oct. ‐ Feb. only!)
Cheese & Cracker packs
Condiments, Spices; Sugar; Salad Dressing (no glass jars)
Oatmeal Packs (Instant: just add water)
Cereal (Small, individual boxes)
Rice Krispie Treats (Store‐bought only)
Caffeinated gum or candy (to stay alert)
TOILETRIES:
NO HOTEL SAMPLES!
Baby wipes
(travel size)
Liquid Hand Sanitizer
(travel size)
Body Wash
, Liquid Soap, Facial Cleanser
Shampoo /Conditioner (travel size)
Hair Gel (for female troops to pull hair back)
Combs / Brushes, Bobby Pins
Eye Drops (i.e. Visine)
Nasal Spray
All of the munchies, coffee, and drink mixes are great. Baby wipes are also a great item (unscented please).
A lot of the other toiletries ended up being donated to the Chaplains office for use by anyone that wanted them. [Reply]
I wasn't suggesting you do anything other than that.
I just know what others, may choose to do as individuals.
Every situation is different, if your soldier lives with a dingleberry 1Sgt that hates fun, you obviously have to moderate what they receive. [Reply]
When my best friend was in Iraq (at the time a captain) he asked for twin sheet sets for his troops. Apparently sheets aren't standard issue, or at least they weren't three years ago. Probably a good thing to add to the list. [Reply]
Originally Posted by frazod:
When my best friend was in Iraq (at the time a captain) he asked for twin sheet sets for his troops. Apparently sheets aren't standard issue, or at least they weren't three years ago. Probably a good thing to add to the list.
Good call, I had my wife mail me some. Using a sleeping bag wears pretty thin after the first couple weeks. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Jenson71:
I don't know if that's actually true. Any of it.
Good idea, BRC. It's getting bad out there.
Nothing to do with politics but these are going to be our fellow citizens, fellow Chief fans in harms way while we sat in our barcoloungers drinking cold ones and watching our Chiefs get smoked. It's the least we can do. Makes it more personal. A fellow citizen and Chiefs fan showing some support and appreciation to another for their sacrifice. Also lets the families that post on here know their sons, daughters, brothers and even in-laws are not fogotten. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
Nothing to do with politics but these are going to be our fellow citizens, fellow Chief fans in harms way while we sat in our barcoloungers drinking cold ones and watching our Chiefs get smoked. It's the least we can do. Makes it more personal. A fellow citizen and Chiefs fan showing some support and appreciation to another for their sacrifice. Also lets the families that post on here know their sons, daughters, brothers and even in-laws are not fogotten.
Yeah, no doubt. They work hard out there and need some support to boost morale. I can see the day coming when my brother will be deployed. I used to just skip the headlines relating to the war, because it gets a little repititive. But for people with family over there, I would guess that that's the most important thing all day. [Reply]