GET INVOLVED
There are three ways you can get involved and support our mission.
ITEMS
We’re always looking for items to put in our care packages (especially around the holidays). Contact us to schedule a drop off or pick up!
MONETARY
Write a check to Adopt a Platoon - 444 and contact us for a mailing address.
PACKAGE
Create your own care package and send it off! We’ve compiled a helpful list of items below.
TIPS & TRICKS
ASSEMBLY
*Have fun with your packages!
*Involve Kids (any way you can) - recruit boy scout and girl scout troops, grade school classes, or Sunday school groups in drawing & writing short notes.
*Theme Packages - use any excuse for a theme. Any holiday imaginable! Post a suggestion list for your group two months ahead. Ideas: movie night box, gag-gift box, invent a theme or cook something up!
PACKING
*Pack boxes for the worst handling conditions possible
*Put anything that might spill or come open in zip-lock bags (They will be re-used)
*Use real popcorn as packing material (it will probably get eaten even if stale)
*Pack some things in tins you have around the house - soldiers can use them for storage.
*Pack all boxes as if they must pass "the gorilla stomp test"
*Expect the packages to be abused
MAILING
RESTRICTIONS
DO NOT SEND THESE ITEMS
*Pork
*Liquor
*Pornographic Material
*Religious items offensive to the Islamic faith
*Glass containers
*Pressurized items (sprays/shaving cream in pressurized cans)
*Items that will melt
Items for Care Packages
If you’re making your own care package to send to the troops, consider this list a starting place.
Keep package size reasonable, 10" x 10" x 18" or smaller is best, but not a requirement. Maximum allowed by the USPS is “girth (measure all the way around) plus length equals less than 70 inches. Smaller than that is better, make an effort not to overwhelm the military mail service.
Always include postcards addressed back to you in each package, so that your soldiers can communicate back to you and inform you of their needs and wants.
Mail generally takes 3-5 weeks to get to the Persian Gulf, if you want, try to send something every week, don't expect to hear from your platoon until enough time has passed. Keep sending!! You will get to know your soldiers, they will write.
Please note: stamps are not needed inside of care packages - soldiers get free postage!
Click here to download a printable list of items to include in your care packages.
FOOD
*Coffee & teas (all kinds)
*Powdered Gatorade Mix
*Powdered Hot Chocolate
*Kool-Aid (presweetened)
*Life-Savers
*Slim Jim's
*Crackers & Cheese
*Triscuits & Ritz crackers
*Single servings of bagged chips (small bags stay fresh longer - crush proof them!)
*Candy (M&M's are great, hard candy-anything that won't melt)
*Snack Cakes
*Gum
*Rice Krispie Treats
*Dry Cereal (small individual boxes are great)
*Kraft Mac & Cheese
*Microwave Popcorn
*Beef Jerky (A MOST REQUESTED ITEM)
*Granola Bars
*Power Bars
*Dried Fruit
*Chex Mix
*Canned Soup
*Tuna (pouches are cheaper to mail, cans are also fine)
*Spices (onion powder, garlic powder, all spice, etc.)
*Summer Sausage
*Oatmeal
*Salsa
*Lollipops
*Marshmallows
*Canned Sandwich Spread
*Canned Chicken
*Salad Dressing
*Instant Soup
*Fast Food Condiments (Hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt & pepper packets, relish, mayo, etc.)
Tip: Save your condiment packets every time you get fast food!
PRACTICAL
*Baby wipes/ Body Wipes (A MOST REQUESTED ITEM - in hot seasons soldiers are unable to bathe and use wipes to clean up)
*Razors & shaving cream
*Shampoo & Conditioner
*After Shave Lotion
*Soap or Body Wash
*Mouth Wash
*Deodorant
*T-shirts
*Underwear & Socks (often!)
*Big Fluffy Towel
*Eye Drops (helpful during sand storms)
*Chapstick
*Lip Balm
*Sun Block
*Skin So Soft (Avon: works as insect repellent)
*Lotion
*Dental Floss
*Baby Powder
*Foot Powder
*Combs & Brushes
*Cotton Balls
*Liquid Hand Sanitizer
*Breath Mints
*Contact Lens Cleaner
*Eye Drops
*Nail Files
*Insect Repellent
*Socks
*Blankets (in cold months)
FOR FUN
Frisbees
Squirt Guns
Playing Cards
AA & AAA batteries
Any Kind of Toy
Paper, Envelopes & a Nice Writing Pen (might inspire a few more letters home)
Phone cards (ask if there is a brand they can use!)
Paperback books (A MOST REQUESTED ITEM Dig around 2nd hand stores)
Magazines (A MOST REQUESTED ITEM. Age doesn't matter. Get them free from waiting rooms. Ask doctors and dentists!)
Disposable Cameras (Ask them to take pictures and send them to you)
Puzzles
Film (ask)
Newspapers (sports sections)
Yo Yo's
Super Soak Squirt Guns
Dart Boards
Small Flash Lights
Hackie Sacks
Jump Ropes
Electronic Handheld Games
Post Cards (from your home state)
Handmade items
Bandanas
Portable CD Players
Battery Powered Fans
Jokes & Comics
Balloons
Baseball Caps
Birthday Decorations
Blankets (in cold months)
Banners
Board games (Check your closets - they don't have to be new)
Foam footballs and basketballs
Slinky
Chalk
Make a scrapbook & send photos of you and your group, kids and pets!
Movie DVDs (Go to second hand stores or pawn shops - most units have a portable player)
Tip: Go through the kids toys at Wal-Mart...you'll find some fun things to send!
If there’s a holiday 6-weeks away, make up one box with just holiday goodies....be creative! Use a CD burner, make mixes of favorite songs. Always write letters, but additionally you could record letters onto a tape!
FEMALES
Nail Polish
Nail Clippers
Q-Tips
Mirror
Body Sprays
Candles
Hair Spray (non-aerosol)
Hair Gel
Perfume
Feminine Hygiene Products
Hair Bands
Hair Clips