www.anysoldier.com - I just received my first e-mail!!

[Stephanie]

I stumbled upon this website a few days ago. Through this website, created by a brother and sister that have recently served overseas in Iraq, you can get a name of a member of the armed forces that has volunteered to be their group's rep and send them supplies, goodies, letters, etc.

Check it out. It's quite impressive and I'm looking to send out my first box on Saturday.

http://www.anysoldier.com

[vbhoutex]

Our neighbor down the street sends out boxes regularly. I periodically give her money for postage on the boxes. She does it through our church, but spends plenty of her own money on supplies.

[Stephanie]

I was kind of expecting to read that some people were already aware of this site.

I'm planning on sending out my first box this Saturday.

[vbhoutex]

I was kind of expecting to read that some people were already aware of this site.

I'm planning on sending out my first box this Saturday.

I think that is awesome!! I wish every one of our soldiers got a box at least once a month. They deserve so much more than just our thanks.

[DanKellFla]

That site has been around for at least 5 years. Great stuff. We used to send stuff through my kids school.

[OpieStorm]

That site has been around for at least 5 years. Great stuff. We used to send stuff through my kids school.

Wow, haven't come across it til now. Thanks for the link Steph, will definitely do this!

[Stephanie]

N/P Opie.

[Stephanie]

Just sent out my first package yesterday.

The only thing that can be a little tricky is the customs form 2976-A. I used one of those Priority Mail medium sized flat rate boxes. I sent travel sized shampoo, body wash, body lotion, tooth brushes and paste, cotton swabs, some magazines, pens and a composition book.

Off to look up another soldier.

[Stephanie]

I just received my first e-mail from a soldier that I sent a care package to last Saturday. He's in Iraq. I did send some fun packs of M&M's hoping that they won't melt on their way there (testing the "melt in your mouth, not your hands" theory). He said that they arrived fine and they only melted when they ate them!

He said that he was reluctant to receive my package. I asked him why and told him that each and every one of the soldiers deserve a package.

I told him that his e-mail made my day and that I'll be shipping some hygiene items out next week.

I'M THRILLED! I don't expect a reply, but I offer my e-mail and tell them that if they are able to e-mail me back, I would love to hear from them.

[southerngale]

That's awesome, Steph! You're doing a good thing.

[Stephanie]

It feels good too.

[StormingB81]

I recieved stuff from this site when I was over there. The people who send stuff are great. It puts a smile on your face no matter how bad the day was. This and other sites like this who reach out to the Military are awesome! Shows we are not alone and being thought of.

[Stephanie]

I recieved stuff from this site when I was over there. The people who send stuff are great. It puts a smile on your face no matter how bad the day was. This and other sites like this who reach out to the Military are awesome! Shows we are not alone and being thought of.

I'm glad that you were able to benefit from this. Yes, there are other sites like "anymarine", etc. It's hard to pick just one at a time. Almost each soldier's request tugs at your heart. You want to help everyone.

[StormingB81]

Yes there is any Marine as well. I always wrote back to show my appreciation to someone who would take time out of there day and spend there hard earned money even on little stuff..like they say It is the Little things in life. The letters from the kids are hillarious though! Some of those letters you get a kick out of. I had one kid write me and say "Thank you for dying for our country" That one sticks out the most.

[Stephanie]

Yes there is any Marine as well. I always wrote back to show my appreciation to someone who would take time out of there day and spend there hard earned money even on little stuff..like they say It is the Little things in life. The letters from the kids are hillarious though! Some of those letters you get a kick out of. I had one kid write me and say "Thank you for dying for our country" That one sticks out the most.

- I guess that one would!

[StormingB81]

Reading those letters is like watching Cosby's old show Kids say the darnest things.

[Dionne]

Stephanie.....that's a wonderful thing your doing. A long time ago (like 40 years) I received a package from home. It was chip cookies....I've long since forgotten the girls name that sent them......but still remember opening that box and seeing homemade cookies from the States.

[Stephanie]

Dionne - the soldiers can't receive homemade treats anymore unfortunately. Times have certainly changed. However, it doesn't mean you can't send over Oreo's, Little Debbie's, etc.

[brunota2003]

One thing I can say to send, if you can, are weapon cleaning kits (for M4/M16 and M9's especially). What happened to when the military issued you everything? I wasn't issued 1 quarts (not buying them), overshoes (wet weather boots...also NOT buying them) and our battery is short on cleaning kits...of which I only have bits and pieces to one (qtips and a rag mainly, luckily someone in my section has a full one that they bought).

And as veterans of Iraq here know, that Kuwait/Iraq moondust is unforgiving on our weapons...and our boots, clothes, and anything else it can get into!

[StormingB81]

Stepanie who said they can't recieve homemade treats anymore???