Care Packages

Updated May 2011

BEST TIPS ON CARE PACKAGES and ADOPTING A HERO WITH US

We need VOLUNTEERS to adopt troops- please consider this as you see all the guidance here of how to pack items- and what type of items we can send if you adopt a hero or have a loved one serving !

We also have military families who need adoption and only 1 care pcakage a month – for morale.

Sometimes adopting the family, is the best gift you can give our troops so they can focus ion their mission…let us know what interests you.

Adoption means:

1. You agree to a 6 month commitment minimum.
2. You keep everything confidential including the address and follow OPSEC.
3. You agree to send 2 packages a month- they can be small…accompanied by 2 cards or letters or sent in between. With a family, only 1 care package and 2 emails/letters are required.
4. Your information is never shared and kept strictly confidential as well. We do not even share it with the soldier or your family unless you want us to do this.
5. Email Adoptions@HomefrontHugs.org if you are ready to thank our heroes from the homefront or if you wish to be adopted. We also have forms here on our website to download and send in to make it all easier…

Medium FLat Rate Care Packages for our Heroes

Packing Care Packages and Obtaining Supplies

The number to USPS is : 1-800-ASK-USPS or 1-800-275-8777
The website is : www.usps.com

You can always order the APO Flat Rate care kit and it includes everything to begin a care package and the cheapest way to send items to APO or FPO addresses….

1. You can order (but only by phone at 1-800-610-8734, option #1)

2. You can also order the NEW “Flat Rate” boxes (mimimum 25) online COST of supplies: FREE

Most Requested Practical Items for Summer 2011 for Deployed Troops:

baby wipes,baby wipes,baby wipes
ziplock bags, vinyl and plastic
lip balm/chapstick
sunscreen (at least with SPF of 25)
Avon Skin So Soft (a super bug repellent)
eye drops
nasal spray
medicated creams especially for sunburns
Neosporin and waterproof bandages
Bengay for sore muscles
combs and brushes
toothpaste and toothbrushes
plastic travel cases for toothbrush and soap
deodorant (no aerosol spray)
razors especially Gillette Pro Glide
after shave lotion
body lotion
Shower to Shower Powder
chapstick
bar soap
VISINE eye drops
foot powder
cotton balls
liquid hand sanitizer
Bug Spray with Deet (non-aerosol)
nail files
socks
baseball hats and bandanas
Multi-vitamins
Lever 2000 body wipes
Small and Large Plastic Ziplock bags
(to keep the sand out which gets into everything)
Fly Swatter/Fly strips
Febreeze
Small Battery Powered Fans
blow-up pillows with pillowcase
U neck travel pillows

Homefront Hugs Care Packages

Most Requested Stress-Relief Items for Deployed Troops:

Tabasco sauce or a gourmet hot sauce (makes those MRE’s taste edible!)
disposable cameras
blank fun and romantic cards for family
YoYos (send an extra few to share!)
Squirt guns
Water balloons
Footballs/ soccer balls
pump to inflate balls
hard candy/hard mints
Magazines
Homemade cards and Photos of You.your kids,your life
Sweet-tarts
frisbees (glow-in-the-dark a favorite)
Protein Bars
Chex Snack Mix
playing cards
granola bars
mixed nuts and dried fruit
pop tarts
Blowpop lollipops !!!
Tootsie Pops
Little Debbie Snack Cakes
Powerade
(The troops tell us Gatorade is sometimes too plentiful so send anything else !)
Crystal Light and Koolaid Powdered drink mix
Pretzels in a cannister
Slim Jims Individually Wrapped in a cannister
BEEF JERKY
Tuna in a Vacuum Sealed Pouch
Popcorn or Microwave Products
Chex Mix
Dried Fruits
Condiments in Pouches like ketchup,mayo,relish or mustard
stamps, postcards,pens,stationery,envelopes,stickers
magazines,local papers,paperback books,comics
(anything that brings some humor!)
flashlights
mini battery fans
Ipods and favorite cds
batteries for all of the above
AT&T phone cards please
Yo-yos
Hackie-sacks
Squirt guns
jump ropes
stress balls
candles
Handheld computer games (include batteries)
DVDs
Music CDs
Travel Size Games

**Teddy bears and beanie baby animals small to medium size for Iraqi,Kuwaiti and Afghan children and used or new LEGO please ** (this helps build rapport and positive relations with the children- as our troops do so many good and under-reported deeds for the local communities)

Making friends

*** One tip – Let businesses ,places of worship and friends know what you are putting together for care packages for our brave troops and they might just help you out with donations or discounts !

Prohibited Items

No chocolate or items with chocolate pieces which could melt except between November and February
No pornographic materials
No pork products of any kind
No liquor
No cigarettes
No aerosol spray items
Nothing that leaks
No fresh fruit
No living plants or animals
No negativity-your mission is to keep them smiling !

Final Packing Tips

: Mark all packages and envelopes with “Homefront Hugs” if you are a volunteer participating in one of our programs - it will help the units expedite delivery and contact us if there is any problem with delivery . It will also let other soldiers know where they can go for support !

1. Items that could leak or melt in zip leak proof bags

2. Use a small-medium sturdy corrugated box as free of markings as possible. Must be within size restrictions. It is better to send smaller boxes than one large box.

3. Use lots of newspapers, fill space with foam peanuts, bubble wrap, etc. to pack everything firmly in box.

4. Use strong packing or shipping tape and use it generously to go around box both ways.

5. Hint: If you want a reply, include postcard with your address on the inside of the box. Our troops do NOT need stamps , but be patient as they are in the middle of war and a bit stressed.

Exactly how to fill out Declaration Form at Homefront Hugs

6. Finally, you will have to fill out a Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note found at the US Post Office and it will need to include ( tip: fill this out before you get there so pick up extras when you go):

Brief list of items in box with value (undervalue if possible to prevent stealing)
In upper left corner, write your complete return address so they know it’s safe to open with “Homefront Hugs Volunteer”
In bottom left corner, please write:

If the person has been redeployed, please give to chaplain

What is the cost of postage?

Postage is like mailing anything within the USA- you will be mailing it to a US address and thus just paying US postage and filling out the declaration form (found at the post office) as indicated in #6 above. The military then gets your package the rest of the way for free for you to our soldiers.

We recommend not making the boxes too big at the request of commands so you would not want it bigger than 12in.x12in.x 8in.
If the goodies just don’t fit in that size box- send two boxes…even shoeboxes and you will save the most using FLAT RATE USPS boxes as we do, just $12 for up to 70 pounds for the LARGE flat rate box.

Our soldiers are so grateful for the support with so many needing a smile and hug from home…however small or big the goody boxes are.

Its fun to adopt your own hero !

KIDS/TEENS !

This is a super project for summer too for your kids at home and for any organizations and as usual…and we do give volunteer credit here for schools and colleges. Just ask about it. Teachers,think about doing this with your classrooms too…our troops just love it !

What about helping our wounded warriors?

Operation Healing Angel for our wounded troops and medical staff heroes is still going strong too…and whatever you choose…everyone should have a volunteer card of their own and we will send them to you if you do not already…for every child too….

Still have questions? Just email us at info@HomefrontHugs.org

Remember you can do this all from home and we will help you with whatever you feel like doing or need to do to thank our heroes or yours !

After 10 years,we’ve got the hang of this at Homefront Hugs !

If you would rather send us some of the items needed, we will pack them into care packages including cards you make for our heroes – thank you :

Homefront Hugs USA

1850 Brookfield Drive

Ann Arbor,Michigan 48103