I plan to send my son who's leaving for Afghanistan in April a bunch of post cards already preaddressed to his wife, his brother & sister, Mom and Dad. Sometimes it's easier to jot something down on a post card than write a long letter. Great web site and very useful. Army Mom

Also I would add that they would probably appreciate someone sending them a box of large envelopes and a roll of stamps. Fighting the crowd to buy postage is sometomes a big ordeal, so it will save your soldier lots of valuable time and energy by having their own postage and envelopes:) It would also be a big help to your soldier if you can buy (all ahead of time and include in one care package)- birthday cards, Christmas cards, Congratulations cards (for kids getting good grades or other special acheivements) or even I miss you cards that THEY can personalize and send while deployed as needed to their kids, family, and friends on special dates. The selection and availability of cards is very limited where your soldier will be, so it would help alot by receiving that box of assorted cards in advance.

This is a very nice list of care package ideas. I would also like to add that soldiers also like to get early on in their deployment a nice BIG box of Sweet n Low or other sweetners for their coffee:) because it is in really short supply over there. I would also send my husband 2 mini 6 packs of Coke Zero (his favorite) in each care package which reminded him of home sweet home. Also a friend told me that her kids would take turns on a pocket calendar marking off the days with a light penciled X and also writing tiny little notes on special days and then send the calendar in the package to daddy and then he'd mark off the next group of days and put a few short notes for them to read also and mail it back in a regular sized envelope with an extra stamp or two. It was a wonderful keepsake that they will cherish forever.

Thanks for creating this website. My son-in-law is being deployed next month and I needed ideas for care packages.

This site was very informative and I am grateful to have came across it to better understand how to help my friend.

I really appreciate the kindness, effort and support this site has provided by not allowing us to forget the troops. It helps reinforce how fortunate we really are. On hehalf of a mom who dearly prays for her son's health, safety and wisdom while deployed in Afghanistan.

I'm just someone who cares about our troops and the job they are so bravely doing. I want to send "care" packages but I'm not sure how to get started. I live near Alachua,FL that has a military support group. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

I just found this website. im a girlfriend of a natural guard. Hes getting deployed in march. And we just had a baby way to early.. Just lookin to be closer to him when he leaves and know more about it all

I wanted to say thank you for creating this website it is a wonderful idea! I am a girlfriend of a soldier overseas and a sister of a brother being deployed again. This is the first time I've ever been in this situation and I'm still not sure on how to feel and act. But thank you so much for all the amazing suggestions on this site to help me get an idea of what to send and do.

Thank You!! I knew I would be able to find a great website that would know exactly what to send. I will keep coming back for updates.

My boyfriend is getting ready to be deployed for the second time. We weren't together the first time but I know he didn't really receieve much when he was over there and he didn't have much to remember home. I want to give him something that he can wear or keep on him at all times, if thats even possible. I'm pretty new to all this but he leaves in a few months and I just want to him have to something that reminds him of me. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions pls let me know. my email is dyerk1@nku.edu. thank you.

Thank you so much for the helpful idea's. My church is attempting to adopt a unit(?) to send cards and packages to. Finding out that there was an article about you in the Wayne today furthered my joy of finding your site, as my church is in Wayne! United Methodist on Parish Drive. Any other helpful idea's you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the ideas.. I have had a few friends deployed, most of them are back home but now I have discoverd an old high school friend is there (thanks to Facebook) and I am sending him a package.. wanted some new ideas!!

Nice site

Thanks for your info! My brother-in-law is about to be deployed for the first time and we are dreading it for him, my sister and family. This is great info we'll use. I plan to forward your link to family. Thanks again.

Thank you for your site. My nephew is currently serving in Iraq and we have sent care packages to him. Your site has great info for family members wanted to support our military. God bless you, our military forces and the USA.

Your website was so helpful to me! The part about the free boxes was a relief. Cost is definitely a problem for me, so your money saving strategies are a life saver!

I have found your page and will let the families of just deployed soldiers know of it. You have great information for the soldiers who married just before thier deployment. Again thank you.

I am so glad there is a website like this. This is my first time going through a deployment. I have been dating my boyfriend for about 6 months, and I am having a really hard time with all of this, especially since it was pretty unexpected. If anyone could let me know of any kind of support groups either on the web or in Wisconsin, I would really appreciate it. Again, great website, I will be visiting this quite often.

Great website......