Send a Military Care Package.
Show that we that we really do support the troops.
If you are considering this act, please make sure you know who, what, and how to send. The rules are pretty strict and we definitely want the package to get to the correct recipient.
How to send.
What You Need to Know
Once you know what you want to send, follow these tips to make sure your military care package arrives in good condition:
Seal everything: Individually seal items in plastic bags with zip locks, if possible, to protect items from the elements or to keep them from leaking out.
Use sturdy packaging: The best packaging is a free Military Care Kit from the U.S. Postal Service, which includes priority mail boxes, tape, custom forms and address labels.
The packaging is free, but the postage is not.
Provide accurate shipping information: Include your service member’s unit, last and first name, title, DPO/FPO/APO and full ZIP code.
Take advantage of reduced postage for military mail: You only have to provide standard domestic postage on mail going to an APO or FPO address.
For example, if you pay $5 to mail a package in the continental United States, it costs the same to mail it overseas as long as you have an APO / FPO / DPO address and associated ZIP code.
Complete the customs forms: You need to fill out customs forms for any shipping outside the United States. Customs forms are included with Military Care Kits or can be found on the USPS website.
Consider shipping time: Most care packages can make it to the Middle East in about two weeks, but some take longer.
For holidays, allow about five weeks for delivery.
Be careful what you send:
Check the post office’s prohibited items list to keep items from being rejected.
Remember that sometimes packages from home get opened by someone before your service member, so don’t send anything you don’t want strangers to see.
Also, don’t send things that are valuable or can’t be replaced – sometimes packages get lost.
If you do not personally know a service member, this may actually be a little more challenging act from the sources that we could find to assist you.
The Department of Defense does not operate a program for members of the general public to send care packages and holiday mail to deployed service members. However, those wishing to send materials to service members can do so by contacting any of the various non-DOD military service organizations who still do this work. They will likely prefer a cash donation
What if I do not know a service member?
If you do not personally know a service member, this may actually be a little bit challenging to accomplish. We have not been able to find a really great way to help you with sending care package to a stranger from the official sources we looked in to. However, if you pay attention to normal conversation it is likely someone you speak to over the next year will have a serving family member who would love to receive a package from a community member from back home.
The Department of Defense does not operate a program for members of the general public to send care packages and holiday mail to deployed service members. However, those wishing to send materials to service members can do so by contacting any of the various non-DOD military service organizations who still do this work.
Most of the organizations that we we found will send a package they put together and send out themselves for a service fee.
If you do choose that option you may want to start your search here https://www.charitywatch.org/top-rated-charities/veterans-military and verify you comfort and trust level with any organization you choose.