A Care Package To Iraq

More and more Americans are taking the time to send a care package to Iraq, both to civilians and to the military alike.

I am getting a lot of e-mails asking who packages can be sent to so I thought I should address this matter.

It is great that you want to help our soldiers and civilians serving in Iraq. Any help will be appreciated by them. I know because my husband requests items constantly. I send things by mail to David and his crew all the time. The PX is constantly running out of good things, especially snacks. It can be many weeks before trucks get through with new supplies.

Each care package to Iraq must be sent to a named person now for security purposes. This is per the Department of Defense. Packages addressed to "any soldier", etc. will not be accepted by the post office.

If you do not know someone stationed in Iraq, check with your church, club, friends, or family to see if they may know someone over there. If so, get the name and APO/FPO address from them and send the package to Iraq.

You could also check with charitable organizations to see if they have names of soldiers for you. Churches usually have someone they send things to on a regular basis. Some churches really support their members who are stationed in Iraq, whether civilian or military.

If you still need names for your care package to Iraq, there are websites that will give you names to address it to. Just do a Google search and a list of websites will come up to provide information and names for you to send packages to.

What To Put In A Package To Iraq

Prepaid phone cards are a big item. When my husband was in Baqubah, he used prepaid phone cards everytime he called us. Sometimes the PX had them and other times they did not.

Skype headphones are a great item to send. Now my husband calls us using Skype from his computer.

Gift cards from the PX (AAFES)are appreciated. In order to buy these, you do need to have a military account or a friend who has one and would purchase some for you.

Flashlights and personal fans are always a good item to send in a package to Iraq. these can be purchased inexpensively at Wal-Mart.

Don't forget the batteries for these items as long as it is not extremely hot when you mail them. Winter months work best for batteries. Pack the batteries in a ziplock bag in case they do explode so they do not ruin the other contents in the package.

Small binoculars, sunscreen, and UV sunglasses are helpful items as well.

Food powder, foot cream, odor eaters, and socks are thoughtful things to send in a care package to Iraq.

Notecards, envelopes, paper, and pens make an appreciated gift.

Some food items to send that would be enjoyed are canned seafood such as tuna, salmon, shrimp, and sardines. Some of these now come in tear-open pouches that are convenient to open.

If you are looking for something useful to send and you have cash to spare, a sturdy-built laptop computer is the perfect item. Don't forget to also pack a sturdy case to protect the laptop. With a laptop, Skype calls can be made as well as e-mails to loved ones. Digital photos can then be received as well. A laptop is a great gift.

What Not To Put In Care Packages To Iraq

Things that will be confiscated are:

Pornography--this includes photos, magazines, DVD's, comic books...partial nudity is considered to be pornography as well.

Horror magazines and comic books.

Religious materials in bulk quantities unless it is Islamic.

Alcohol and supplies needed to make alcohol.

Pork or anything made from pork--No chicharrones (pigskins) to munch on.

Political materials.

Money or precious metals in their raw state.

Fruits.

Live plants.

Live animals.

Firearms and ammunition.

Hazardous substances.

Flammable substances.

Radioactive substances.

Toxic substances.

Do Not Put In Any Of The Following Items

Anything breakable such as glass.

Anything that might explode or leak such as batteries being shipped in the hot summer, aerosol sprays like deodorant, hairspray, etc., and glass containers with liquid in them.

Stuff that could melt or spoil like perishable foods.

Anything that could possibly turn on like a radio, digital camera, or DVD player with the batteries in.

Remove the batteries and place them in a ziplock bag. Ship them in cool weather.

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