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52Best |
Care Package Information
What to Send and How to Mail
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Care Package Information What to Send and How to Mail |
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* Acceptable, Unacceptable and Mailing Information *
Below is detailed information on what is acceptable and unacceptable to send to our troops in Iraq as well as mailing information. Please read carefully. Below are three other web pages relating to our Care Packages:
1. Care Packages - Introduction - Click Here
2. Wall of Fame - Readers Who Have Sent Care Packages - Click Here . 3. A Sergeant In Iraq to 52Best - Sergeant Dan's First Letter - Click Here . 4. Request from Sergeant Dan - His Second Letter - Click Here
Sergeant Dan's Mailing Address:
Sergeant Dan Coursen
Acceptable in Care Packages Items Appreciated By Female Soldiers The store (or PX) has limited stock for the soldiers to purchase items from. Female soldiers appreciate getting some of the comforts from home. Items can include: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand sanitizer, pads, tampons, deodorant, razors, and soap. Make It Extra Special Be sure to add a letter of thanks and encouragement from you. If you have any children it is nice to add a drawing or note from your young ones. Items That Are Appreciated By All Soldiers: (Items in red indicate most frequently requested items) Food Items
Toiletries
Miscellaneous
Ziploc Bags - Leakage and Scented Items
Prohibited or Unwise Items to Send: Although there are specific restrictions for each five-digit Military Post Office ZIP Code™ (APO/FPO), generally, the following are prohibited in the region of Operation Iraqi Freedom: * Obscene articles (prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc). * Any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or non-authorized political materials. * Bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith. Items for the personal use of the addressee are permissible. * Pork or pork by-products. * Aerosol cans * Current Affair Magazines (i.e. Time, Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report) * Food products that go bad (i.e., no oranges, apples, pies, etc. - temperatures are usually 100 degrees or more) * No chocolate items after May or before September due to extreme temperatures * Glass containers * Homemade goodies – many people have allergies or food restrictions. It is better to buy prepackaged items Additional information can be found on the U.S. Postal web site at:http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/mailingrestrictions.htm
The Mailing Address for Sergeant Dan is below. The packages must be addressed to an individual person, so address them to him and he will share the goodies with all the folks there:
Sergeant Dan Coursen *For packages, print on one side only with the recipient’s address in the lower right portion. What to Use for Packing Your Items The United States Postal Service offers free Priority Mail Boxes. Flat Rate Boxes can be used for both domestic and international shipping. You can stuff it full of items and the cost to ship is $8.95 no matter how much it weighs. You can ask for one of these boxes at any United States Post Office. There are two sizes: 11" x 8.5" x 5.5" and 13.625" x 11.875" x 3.375”. When using flat rate boxes please remember:
The above information is if you are sending a Care Package about the size of a shoe box. You can send larger packages at not too great an additional cost. Phone or visit the closest U.S. Post Office for exact rates. Custom's Form 2976-A "Long White Form" The package will need a customs
form which is available at your local post office. You need to ask
for Form 2976-A, nicknamed the "long white form." Form 2976-A is
required for all boxes weighing over 1 pound (16 oz.) regardless of
size.
1) Detailed Description of
Contents – You do not need to go into minute detail. A brief list
of the contents inside is best.
3) and 4) – Skip 7) – 9) – Skip
Self Addressed Stamped Post Card You can place a self addressed stamped postcard into your box and in your note to the solider ask them to let you know the package was received. Do not be concerned or upset if you do not get it back. It can be challenging for the soldiers to get mail out and they are very busy but it is a nice surprise to receive one if you do. |
