MILITARY MISSIONS, INC.

TO CONSIDER HOSTING A CARE PACKAGE PARTY, CLICK HERE!

TO DOWNLOAD A LIST OF SUGGESTED ITEMS TO INCLUDE IN CARE PACKAGES CLICK HERE!

We send care packages in a variety of ways.  We have sent all sorts of interesting items in all sorts of interesting ways.  As long as CUSTOMS REGULATIONS and MILITARY RULES  are followed, you need a box, the postage, a customs form and the address of your deployed hero.

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGES

When mailing a care package to an individual, our suggestion is to use a FLAT RATE box from the United States Postal Service.  These boxes can be picked up from your local post office branch or ordered online at www.usps.com.    If you are mailing items that don't weigh much and your box is not going to weigh but 2-3 lbs, then the FLAT RATE box may not be appropriate.  If you are planning to send heavy items (and believe me, it doesn't take much to mail a box heavier than 2-3 lbs.) the FLAT RATE box is your best choice.  As long as you can fit it in the box and get the box closed, it will not cost more than current rate charged by the US Postal Service.  With careful packing you can get a lot of great goodies in these boxes. Don't forget you will have to fill out a CUSTOMS FORM for each box that is going overseas.

"PLATOON" PACKAGES

The "PLATOON" PACKAGES are boxed with enough quart or gallon-sized ziploc bags to support an entire unit of up to 100 men.  The size of these bags, and how much you put in each one will depend on how many men are in a particular unit, and how many boxes you or your group can afford to send.  We help groups take on this task all the time.  We determine how the package(s) will be made after the donation drive is completed. We look at what was collected and see how we can divide the items to best give something to all the men in the unit.  Sometimes we make bags that are totally stuffed and send 5 or more boxes to get them all overseas.  If we don't have a lot of postage money for the project, we make bags that aren't quite as full and send them in one or two boxes.  We have an ongoing list of men we support individually and extras can be put in one of their packages.   There is never anything that is considered a "leftover". It ALL goes to one of our military heroes. 

The ziploc bag is often one of the best parts of the package.  These bags are great for storing important items such as photos and letters from the elements.  Ziploc bags of all sizes are used and greatly appreciated.  Please consider donating ziploc bags when you are shopping for care package donations. Mailing tape is always welcome!  We go through a LOT of tape when we box up our goodies for mailing.

POSTAGE DONATIONS

If you don't have the time to go shopping for care package items, you can still be a very important part of this ministry.  We can't send a single box without the funds for postage.  With postage costs being quite high, we are always in need of postage donations.  There are many individuals and businesses alike that want to support our troops but they do not have the time to shop for packages.  Sometimes people don't know anyone serving, but they want to show appreciate for our troops in some way.  Donating funds that can be used for postage is an excellent way to show your support for our military.  We usually run short when it comes to postage.  Most people don't think about it at all or don't realize how much these boxes weigh once they are packed.  It is always helpful to have funds set aside for times when we have items to mail and no postage to get the boxes out.   Another suggestion is that you have each person participating in your donation drive donate between $1-$5 to cover the costs of postage.  If everyone gives a little, we end up with enough to finish the job.  To make a donation, please contact us at  [email protected] or click HERE.

PERSONAL CARDS AND LETTERS

............definitely THE best part of each package!  NO package goes out without at least one personal note.  We encourage you and your group to write as many notes as you can take time to write.  These notes can be on anything from stationery to an index card.  It doesn't matter what the note is written on or who ends up with your note, as long as you take the time to write a line or two giving these men and women a word of encouaragement.  Unless you are specifically sending an individual package, there is no need to write it to a specific person.  Dear Friend, Dear Hero, Dear Soldier, Dear Marine, Dear One...............it doesn't matter. Your expression of thanks and encouragement the important part.  We try to put several cards in each bag if we have enough to go around.  Don't forget to get your children to help you with this task.  Children's cards are such a blessing.  It is so uplifting to read the cards and letters written by children. Additionally, Military Missions always includes a note of encouragement in each package.  We try to let the recipient know who YOU are since your donations made the care packages possible.  We see ourselves as facilitators, helping you to make a difference.  If it wasn't for all of you, Military Missions would not exist.  We work together to honor and encourage our troops.   If you want to send individual cards rather than cards that accompany packages, we can let you know of men and women that have requested mail.  Additionally, your donation of stamps for these cards and letters is greatly appreciated.  If you know of another group or organization that would like to participate in this type of service project, please refer them to [email protected] or www.militarymissionsonline.com. 

"PLATOON" PACKAGES allow the opportunity for everyone to get something from home.  Sadly, there are a lot of deployed men and women that don't get any mail.  No letters or packages from home during a long deployment must be so discouraging.  It is hard to realize that some of our men and women, that are willing to serve for YOU and for ME, don't get any encouragement.  This is one reason that Military Missions exists.  Anyone serving that has been brought to our attention will receive at least one small package during their deployment.  We send to many that already get lots of support from home, but we try to send monthly packages to those that we hear need some TLC in a box!  If you know of someone in a unit that does not receive much mail, please send us information so that we can add the individual to our mailing list and our prayer list. You can contact us with the information at [email protected]  Please give us name, rank, address, and approximate deployment dates so that we will know how long to send packages. Please give us your name and a contact address (email is fine) so that we can follow up if we have any questions.  We would also like to let the individual know that you are the thoughtful individual that brought the name to our attention.

GUIDELINES

All packages must go through CUSTOMS and meet all regulations. Boxes are subject to inspection along the way.  If one item in the box is not following protocol, the entire package is seized.  There is no reason to worry as long as you have followed Customs regulations. We have learned a lot about these regulations over the past two years. Here are a few helpful hints regarding regulations.

Items should be manufacture-sealed.  Keep all donations wrapped/packaged as they were at the time of purchase.  Sealed items will insure that the products were not subject to tampering.

Though not a regulation, keep items small.  Pocket-size, travel-size, and sample-size are ideal.  Packages will have a better variety of treats, but more importantly, our military personnel have to pack and carry these items all the time. If they can't fit the item in their bag, they won't take it with them.  We want to send something they can use and travel as lightly as possible.  If large items, such as some of the ones pictured above, are donated, we can send them, but it isn't as easy to get them to a destination.  We have to be careful where the items are sent so they can be used.

Before purchasing an item, try to imagine how it will hold up in a box that may be untouched for a month.  This box will be subject to trucks, airplanes, extremely high temperatures, and maybe even extremely cold temperatures.    The box might be dropped or crushed. Decide if the item you are considering for purchase will hold up under all of those circumstances. Here are a few things that you might want to consider.............. 

.............Items such as bar soap tend to permeate through the package.  Most of us don't want to eat snacks that smell and taste like soap. 

............Snack items such as fruit, puddings, etc. will not hold up in plastic packages.  If the seal breaks (which it has been known to do!) the contents of the package will arrive  covered in a fruity syrup mixed with a little bit of mold.  (Lesson learned the hard way!!) Fruit in the snack-sized CANS will make it in good condition.

............Chocolate!  We all love it, but it just doesn't make it to the Middle East in solid form.

............Gigantic sized items such as shampoo, coffee, etc. are too big to carry around in a heavy backpack and weigh too much to mail at an affordable rate.

............Socks.........there is a big demand for these!!  One thing to consider when making a purchase................Can the socks you are purchasing be worn with a pair of combat boots?  If they cannot be worn with combat boots,  then you probably shouldn't make the purchase.  Look for socks that are tall and would cover the same area on the leg that the boot will cover. Color is not important.  We send white athletic socks most often.

Just about anything that is donated can and will be sent in the packages.  It is always a good idea to consider HOW the item will get to our service men and women.  It is always a good idea to think about the living conditions of our military.  If the item will be useful, comforting, or encouraging and will most likely arrive in good condition, it is probably a good choice.  If any items cannot be sent overseas, we will either return the donation or donate to another service organization that can make use of the donation.

ILLEGAL ITEMS

Pork..... Due to regulations with regard to religion, pork is not allowed in several Middle Eastern countries.  When shopping for items such as "beef" jerky just be sure it doesn't contain any pork.

Bulk distribution of religious materials............We cannot send religous materials in BULK for distribution.  We CAN send religious materials such as Bibles, Christian magazines, etc. if we send to individuals.  We cannot send a big box of Bibles for someone to give out, but we do send a box with 40 gallon-sized ziploc bags for INDIVIDUALS that each contain a Bible or other Christian materials. 

Pornography is prohibited, as well as alcoholic beverages. 

If you are not sure if an item is acceptable for mailing, we can help you.  If we don't know the answer, we will find it for you. 

SUGGESTIONS

FYI - The most requested items are (in order): 1-letters,  2-socks, 3-drink mixes, 4-reading material, 5-eye drops.

Keep your eyes open for DEALS.  Keep a list of desired care package items with you and buy them when you see them. 

BUSINESSES will often donate items to be included in care packages.  If your place of employment would like to donate items, please contact us with the information.  If you know of an business that may want to be supportive to our military, please make them aware of Military Missions or let us know how we can contact the company.

Be creative!  Think about others who might want to help our military.  If you have a dental appointment, while you are there, ask your dentist if he/she would like to donate a few toothbrushes or some toothpaste.  You might leave the office with lots of goodies!  Do you have a child in school?  Is anyone in your family a member of a team or a club?  Do you belong to any community organizations?  Are you a member of a church?  Is your neighborhood association looking for a service project?  Brainstorm about all the groups that are a part of your life and think about how those groups can be a support.  Any American can and should be a part of supporting our troops.  We can serve our country by serving those who serve on our behalf.

If you would like to donate something that is not included on our list of suggested items, please contact us at [email protected] with your suggestion.  We might just add it to our list!