The CheckerBoard

Thank you!

you can also look up adopt a platoon. they do a lot. not sure how the process works (because i've only been on the receiving end of things) but I know one of our guys got like...40 packages from them before christmas with a ton of stuff in it.

Care packages are great, and mail is usually one of the best parts of people's day (when they get something). So as to what you can/cannot send....you can send pretty much anything. Don't send alcohol because Americans are not allowed to drink in combat zones and if you send it they will either A) Drink it and have nothing happen to them, B) Drink it and get caught and get in trouble, or C) be forced to pour it out. Other than that there really isnt a whole lot of things you can't send as far as the military is concerned. (except porn...not allowed to have porn either)

Just a heads up on what you really do not need to send (this is all from my experiences in over 30 months of time spent in Iraq/Afghanistan and by no means should be taken as what people everywhere do or dont want)

Books - everybody sends books, most people out here have kindles, ipads (or other tablets). You can absolutely send them if you want, but in my experience, they usually end up on a shelf in a MWR (recreation facility)/USO or Chaplain's office

Playing cards - there are probably more decks of playing cards in Afghanistan than people.

Toiletries - they are greatly appreciated, but every place i've been has a whole lot more than are needed. a few people will use the stuff that's sent, but most will buy their own stuff. Plus, most USO's keep a lot of that stuff stocked as well.

Sudoku/Crossword Puzzles - It's a great idea, but like books, most people have electronics of some sort to keep them occupied. I suppose for the guys out at remote, forward places they may be used some (but even those combat outposts that i've been too have access to electronic entertainment thanks to people like the USO and other groups)

A good idea of things that I like to receive and a lot of people I've served with like to receive are:

Basically any food that will keep. whether its home baked cookies, brownies, cakes, or anything store bought, good food and sweets are always grabbed first.

Drink packets (crystal light) for bottle water is great. We have all the bottled water we can drink and after continuously drinking bottled water by itself, it gets old....fast. so the powdered drink packets are great.

Hot sauce - the food out here is pretty terrible (depending on where you are, some places are good). I have to douse pretty much everything I get with hot sauce (usually Texas Pete and Tobassco b/c that's provided by the dining facility) but people love Siracha hot sauce, Louisiana hot sauce, etc.

Microwaveable food, ramen noodles, oatmeal, easy mac, etc.

Any other snack food

Baby wipes/sanitation wipes - it is extremely dusty here

As you can tell, most of the stuff I mentioned people like getting is food. A lot of people that i've deployed with will just buy whatever they need outside of food items. And if you wanted to send something that I suggested you dont, keep in mind this is just from my experiences. Honestly, you could fill a box with rocks and i'm pretty sure someone would appreciate getting it. We LOVE just getting mail out here. My first deployment my buddy's grandma (who i'd never met) would write me letters like once or twice a month. Not a whole lot of stuff written, usually just a few paragraphs talking to me about things her and her family and been doing and just chatting with me like we'd known each other forever. Some people may not like stuff like that, but i LOVED it. So, the bottom line is, whatever you send, somebody will be very, very appreciative of it.

Things like these really make a difference. I spent a few months at Ft. Knox last summer but got a weekend pass for July 4. Being from VA I didn't really have anywhere to go but a buddy of mine who was there with me( a UT guy) has his family take me in for the weekend and ffed and house me. It was a awesome being able to spend the 4th off base and have a home cooked meal. Only rule was I wasn't allowed to say "Go Dawgs"!