Was curious if any of you guys do this, whether your son or daughter are overseas or you just do it. I have a lot of those mini deodorants that are wrapped and seal so not like they are used that I would like to send to the troops. I tried doing some quick research at work and I just kept finding organizations asking for money donations so they can make care package boxes, or just lists of what to send.

 

So curious if you guys can post how I can do this or if any of you are close by and do this I can drop them off to ya so you can send and I'll help with shipping costs since it'll add some weight.

Ammo and dry socks come in handy but timing is everything.

I've done these before and the more or less universally requested items are:

 

Sunscreen/block

Insect repellent

Snacks like beef jerky and GS cookies

Foot/hand warmers

Powdered drink mixes like Gatorade or Propel

 

The shipments that I've coordinated in the past were for friends who were deployed. The boxes I've contributed to have almost always been attached to a Girl Scout or Boy Scout troupe.

Ask them if they want tiny cans of Chef Boy Ardee products such as ravioli. Not the 15 oz. cans. The form factor has changed a bit since I was in, and they seem a bit bulkier, but they appear to be the same product. We never had food, they would send us off with like 3 MREs for a week. So we would pack some of these, high in calories and acceptable at ambient temp, and you can bend the pop top to make a spoon. It's amazing how much work we did and how little we ate.

 

Also, hot sauces are popular. Tabasco is popular but not my favorite. Often you have to eat something weird or get food from locals and it may not match the American palate. Plus, people just like hot sauce and it doesn't weigh much.

 

Just suggestions, check with them.

I am doing a collection now to ship to one of our 2A brothers from NJ Guns FB group and those he is deployed with. I come from a Navy/USMC family and try to do this when ever I can. It has became more of a regular thing the past few years since my little brother was active duty USMC, but he is reserves now. All stuff was donated by a few members here and on FB. I have gathered up quite a bit of stuff and will be shipping this week. So far we have 8 boxes of food, health and beauty items, magazines and random stuff.  Shipping is the killer @ $17 per flat rate APO/FPO box. This batch is $135 and got some donations to help cover it from those who were to far to drop stuff off.

 

I have a list of the remaining items posted in the 2A Eat and Meet thread. http://www.njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/topic/80947-2a-eat-meet-night-at-manville-pizza-and-restaurant-4416/#entry1033262